Plaque with Local Deity Ghantakarna and Spouse

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This small plaque, meant for a miniature shrine, most likely in the home, portrays Ghantakarna (“Bell-Eared”), a folk deity who became a manifestation or a companion of Kumara, the God of War. Like Kumara, Ghantakarna is seated on his vehicle, the peacock, while his spouse sits on his knee, supported by her vehicle, a crouching man. He holds various attributes in three of his arms: peacock feathers, a rooster, and a serpent. His fourth arm makes the gesture of reassurance. This folk deity, popular in the Kathmandu Valley, is worshipped for protecting cattle and warding off small-pox.

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