Gauri statue
Wood, copper alloy, silver alloy, plated metal, silver leaf, metal, cotton, paper, paint, dye
Rajasthan, West India
19th century; 21st century (clothing)

Known as the Shining One and Radiant Lady, the Goddess Gauri is another form of Parvati, the beloved wife of Shiva. Gauri's legends praise her as the model of femininity, loyalty and matrimonial perfection. After 18 days of prayers to the Goddess during the Gangaur festival, worshippers dress her image in new clothes and adorn her with their own jewelry. They then triumphantly carry the image through the streets in a joyous parade.

A Blockprinter decorates cloth for Gauri > more.

The statue of Gauri pictured above is dressed and adorned as if it were going on parade during Gangaur. The clothes and jewelry she wears, custom-made in the royal city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, were respectfully crafted to transform the undressed Gauri figure into an image befitting a Goddess.

Click here to listen to Guest Curator Stephen P. Huyler talk about the dressing of Gauri. You will need to have the Real Player installed on your computer to access this file. If you don't have a Real Player, you can download it here. You may also read a transcript of this conversation.