Kerala Folklore Museum, Kochi

Bhu devi | earth goddess and a wife of Vishnu. holds in her raised left hand a lotus bud (kataka mudra); the right arm is lowered in lola (resting) hasta (hand) mudra. The goddess wears a strings of pearls and abundant jewellery. Made of bronze, 17th c, Kerala

In India different animal decor is symbolic of different things. According to Indian culture elephants are symbols of good luck. Lions stand for strength and vigor. Cow heads and buffalo heads stands for agricultural prosperity and deer got heads represent peace. Bison head, wood, leather covered...

Mahaganapati (Maha meaning Supreme) and refers to the form of Ganapati with ten arms and accompanied by a consort. Mahaganapati is one of the rare forms of Ganapati and is highly sought after. The identity of the consort is always a topic for debate, as he could be accompanied by Riddhi, Siddhi, ...

Buta Kola is a ritual folk dance from the coastal districts of Karnataka, India. The dance is highly stylized and held in honor of the local deities worshiped by the Tulu speaking population. It has influenced Yakshagana folk theatre. Buta Kola could be categorized as a form of Shamanism as the d...

Lord Krishna playing flute, antique mural painting collection

Worshiper with his hands in Anjali Mudra, a simple folk art from south India, they are characterized by simple drapery and simple ornaments, made of bronze, 17th c

Kuttichathan from the central part of Kerala. Locally it is known as Vishnumaya or Kutti Chattan. It is a folk deity and the worship is mainly confined to South India. His most celebrated temples include Avanangattil Kalari Devasthanam and Kanadi Kuttichathan Kavu. Kutti Chattan is a folk deity i...

Antique Garuda (vehicle (Vahana) of Lord Vishnu, made of teak wood, Kerala

Nandi (bull) is the sacred vehicle (vahana) of Siva and is considered to be the foremost devotee of Siva. As Siva is the rider of the bull, every Siva temple will have a shrine for stone image Nandi, in reclining form as above, in front of and facing Siva. In the early Tamil literature, Nandi is...