Window mode follows your eyes with your camera, in this browser only: no picture or position leaves your device.

Devi Shrine

c. 1810

Medium: Gum tempera and gold on paper
Classification: Painting
Dimensions: 31.8 x 24.1 cm (12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.)
Culture: Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Mandi
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art, Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Credit line: Gift of Nancy and Wayne Hunnicutt
Rights: Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it: Teens profiles and older: its museum says too little about what it shows to place it for younger viewers. How works are placed

About this work

The sacred space of a Hindu shrine is separated from the everyday world by an enclosure wall. The mount of the goddess, a tiger, perches on a pedestal in front, gazing into the sanctum. On either side of the doorway are the monkey god Hanuman and the elephant-headed Ganesha seated on his mount, the rat. They ensure protection and success of a devotee’s worship.

This powerful six-armed goddess has been dressed and adorned as a living presence. She holds a different weapon in each hand. She offered protection from disease or malevolent forces that endanger children to her devotees.