To coincide with the Hindu festival Durga Puja, which runs from 9-14 October this year, three Hindu idols will go on display in the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium until 22 January 2014.
Durga Puja is one of the most important religious Hindu festivals, uniting people from across the globe. The five-day festival reconnects family, friends and relatives as they come together to worship the victory of good defeating evil.
The idols are used by the Bengali Association of Merseyside every year as a part of their celebrations. The Association was formed in 1977 to bring people in Merseyside together who are from India with a Bengali Hindu heritage.
The statues were made in Kolkata, India using clay from the River Ganges. Traditionally, statues are immersed into the Ganges after Durga Puja, signifying the circle of life.
Kay Jones, Curator of Community History said: “we’re really pleased to be displaying these idols in the Museum. The fact that they’re going on display at the same time as Durga Puja makes it even more special.”
The idols:
Ganesh is the Remover of Obstacles. Next to him is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Mother Durga is the supreme goddess. She rides on a lion and has killed the demon Mahishasura.
Saraswati is the goddess of learning. She is riding on a swan. On her left is Kartik, a warrior who is riding a peacock.
The idols were kindly donated to the Museum of Liverpool by The Bengali Association of Merseyside and the North of England in 2009.
National Museums Liverpool,127 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2JH