[image: Sarasvati]

Sarasvati

On Saturday the 4th of April the completion ceremony was held. It was a lovely afternoon, with speeches, performances, a chance to look at the finished work and refreshments. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures on the blog, and if you want to see the real thing, the figures will be in St Fagans:National History Museum until September.

[image: The Goddess Durga]

The Goddess Durga

Here are some more detailed images...

[image: A close-up of the hand-painted background]

[image: Kartikeya, the brave warrior and Ganesha's brother]

Kartikeya, the brave warrior and Ganesha's brother

[image: One of Ganesha's four hands]

One of Ganesha's four hands

[image: Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and happiness]

Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and happiness

[image: A close-up of Lakshmi's hand and costume]

A close-up of Lakshmi's hand and costume

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[image: A close-up of Ganesha's face]

Tomorrow (Saturday 4th April) is the closing ceremony, and the figures are almost done!

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[image: Sarasvati, Goddess of Knowledge and the Arts, holding her instrument, the veena.]

Sarasvati, Goddess of Knowledge and the Arts, holding her instrument, the veena.

[image: Kartikeya sitting on a peacock]

Kartikeya sitting on a peacock

[image: Lakshmi]

Lakshmi

[image: Ganesha, the lord of all living things]

Ganesha, the lord of all living things

[image: The Goddess Durga after the painting of the eye ceremony]

The Goddess Durga after the painting of the eye ceremony. From this point onwards the Hindus believe that the image is enlivened, and the Goddess is worshipped as though she has all the powers given to her by the Gods.

Today (April 1st) the painting of the eye ceremony was held at 2pm. Now the eyes of the Goddess Durga have been opened, she is enlivened and has the ability of sight.

The artists will only be here until Saturday when the closing ceremony will be held at 2pm. Please try and come and visit!

Have a look at the picures below which show how the painting has progressed in the last two days.

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[image: Ganesha in the process of being painted]

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[image: The artist Purnendu Dey painting the body of the lion that carries the Goddess Durga]

[image: The Goddess Durga victorious over the buffalo demon]

The Goddess Durga victorious over the buffalo demon

[image: Lakshmi's Owl]

Lakshmi's Owl

Once the base colours were applied, the detailed work began! While Purnendu worked on the eyes, Dibyendu began attaching some of the decorations brought with them from India around the outside, framing the Goddesses beautifully.

[image: Placing a glittering border around the form]

Placing a glittering border around the form. The colour red is considered to be lucky by the people of India, and Hindu deities are depicted as having red palms to show their divinity.

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[image: Lakshmi]

Lakshmi

[image: The artist Purnendu Dey painting the lion's eye]

The artist Purnendu Dey painting the lion's eye

[image: The Goddess Durga's lion attacking the buffalo demon]

The Goddess Durga's lion attacking the buffalo demon

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[image: The artist Purnendu Dey painting the buffalo's head]

The artist Purnendu Dey painting the buffalo's head

The artists had also brought with them a frieze they had made at home which surrounds Durga's head and torso. The frieze shows the stories from Durga and Shiva's life.

[image: Placing the hand-painted background behind the Goddess Durga]

Placing the hand-painted background behind the Goddess Durga

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[image: A closer look at the hand-painted background]

A closer look at the hand-painted background