The Mahishamardini Mandap has a long veranda with three sanctums. There are two large friezes at
both ends of the veranda, one of Vishnu sleeping on the sea of eternity, on his serpent bed
(anant, infinity), while the gods assemble around him to request him to get on with creation. On
the opposite side is a huge theatrical panel of the goddess astride her ferocious (smiling) lion
vahana. She is attacking a buffalo-headed demon called Mahisha. The myth describes how Mahisha has
grown to be a terribly powerful force, upsetting the balance of life. The gods, in desperation,
pooled their resources together (the sun gave his ever-watchful eyes, the wind his swift feet,
etc.) and produced a super-goddess: young, beautiful, and invincible. She did what the male gods
could not do, and subjugated Mahisha effortlessly. The great battle, witnessed by the gods, is
narrated in this superb specimen of monumental Pallava sculpture.