Title
Hindu deity, Aravan
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Material
Wood, polychrome paint
Technique
Wood-carving and painting
Dimension
Object size: H170 x L120 x W150 cm
Accession No.
SB-0222
Collection of
NLB Type
Sculpture
Many Hindu festivals are connected with the mythology of gods and their cosmic significance. Before making an offering or embarking on a pilgrimage, devotees enlist the aid of temple priests to consult the Vedic religious almanac that charts auspicious days for such observances. Deities are carried in 'ther' (chariots) and palanquins. This spectacle is witnessed by throngs of people. Numerous images of the deities in wood or bronze called 'utsavar' are carried around the temple during festivals, one of them being the gigantic head of Aravan, an epic hero from the Mahabharata who is worshipped during Theemithi (fire-walking festival) in Singapore.
