First of the Hindu triad - Brahma

Brahma, distinct from BrahmaN, the all pervading eternal spirit is the first member of the Hindu Triad. His principal function is Creation. Independent shrines dedicated to him are rather rare. Still figures of this God are commonly found decorating one of the niches in the north wall of the central shrine in a Shiva temple. Sculptures of Brahma may sometimes also seen on pillars, ceilings or other places of the temple but one point that deserves to be noted is that though often seen in temples, Brahma is not worshipped as the chief deity in a temple, like the other two members of the Triad, Vishnu and Shiva.

According to Manasara, one of the standard works on Hindu temple sculptures, Brahma is represented with four heads. He has however only one body and four heads. His sculpture may be standing or seated. The palm of his left lower hand exhibits the posture of conferring boons (varada) while the right lower arm indicates protection (abhaya). The corresponding upper hands hold the water pot (kamandalam) and the rosary (akshamala) or sometimes the sacrificial (srik) and spoon (sruva).

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

The following ornaments are generally seen on the sculptures of Brahma. Ear rings, the sacred thread (Yajnasutra) hanging right across the body from above the left shoulder, the scarf (Uttariya) thrown around the neck, the Udarabandhana, a girdle going round the belly, necklace and torque, armlets and arm rings.

Sri Periyanayaki Amman Temple, Devikapuram

His sculptures may sometimes have two goddesses Sarasvati (on the right) and Savitri (on the left). There are various other representations of Brahma drawn purely from the imagination of the sculptor and sometimes also based on Puranic legends. But the main points which distinguish Brahma from the other gods are the same in all. 

Jalakandeswarar temple Vellore

This blog post has pictures of Brahma taken by me in some of the temples of Tamil Nadu.

Brahmapureeswarar, Pasupathikoil

Reference: South Indian images of Gods and Goddesses by H. KRISHNA SASTRI, B.A., Rao Saheb,

Assistant Archaeological Superintendent for Epigraphy,Southern Circle. Published in 1916.