This sculpture was hidden among the encroachments but revealed once they’re cleared recently. It’s a rare sculpture depicting the mythical story where Lord Shiva slayed a demon that came in the form of elephant. This Puthu Mandapam was built during the early 1620 CE Nayak rule.
Sculpture of Shiva as Gajasurasamhara (“The Slayer of the elephant demon”) depicted in one of the pillar of the Puthu Mandapam at Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nandhi is always positioned facing God Shiva traditionally. This statue was facing Darbhar (Royal court) inside the palace complex which housed temples as well.
Nandhi (Bull) statue facing the temple inside the Thanjavur Royal Palace, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
These sculptures were made around 8th Century. Labels in Vatteluttu script apparently indicates some of these images were made in memory of departed souls. Many Jain Ascetics lived in these hills back in those years.
Jain Sculptures at Kalugumalai (Vulture Hill), one of a Jaina Abode from 8th Century AD, Tamil Nadu, India