A four-headed drum, Panchamukha Vadya is an ancient instrument used in temples. It is a large copper or brass vessel mounted on a wooded cart. This cart is used to move the instrument within the temple premises.
Five tubular projections, drumheads, are found on the top covered with the skin of cow. The five heads are named as Lord Shiva's faces namely, Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadjyojata. Two small pots are also placed near the Vadya, to produce seven tones (technically named Shadja Grama). Nowadays the instrument is rarely used during worships, but it is seen in South Indian temple sculptures.
