The visible part of the icon is common to many deities female and male – Lakṣmī, Kārtika, Viśvakarman, Viṣṇu and others. It is not Kālī nor Sarasvatī nor Śiva. The covering does not allow one to see if there are four hands. There are many local deities too not palpably different from one another. Unknowingly the question presents itself as a brain teaser which it does not intend to be.
Could
you specify the locality where the temple is situated?
Best
DB
Dear INDOLOGY members,Can anybody tell us the name of the deity on the attached photograph, and the festive occasion for which the offerings have been prepared (also taking the month of the year into account)?The photograph was taken in New Delhi, India, March 2007.The offerings include pottery with sprouted Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a decorated coconut (Cocos nucifera) and flowers of several plants.
Sprouting barley has also been documented in Calcutta (november 2014), where it is offered for sale as germinated grain and as seedlings in pottery, similar to the one on the photo.
I am asking this question on behalf of the author of the photograph, René Cappers. He is currently preparing a book on traditional agriculture practices and food preparation.
With kind regards and thanks in advance for your help,
Roelf Barkhuis
_______________________________________________
INDOLOGY mailing list
INDOLOGY@list.indology.info
indology-owner@list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing committee)
http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or unsubscribe)