Ganga

GANGA

What would Indian civilization be without Ganga ? This river has not only been a sustainer of life , but also a cradle of intellectual wisdom that found expression through cities universities and kingdoms such as Kashi . It is the very heartland of India . This painting is a tribute to the glorious river who is not just a natural phenomenon but a nurturing mother and a spiritual goddess in her own right !

In the picture , Ganga sits majestically on the Makara , her ‘vahana’ or mount. She is lying to her side , making her body appear just like the real flow of the river in the geographical map of India . Her head is encircled by the halo in which one can see the milky way galaxy , or ‘Akaasha Ganga’ as it is known in India . Legends say that the akaasha ganga is that part of the river which is still flowing in the heavens . Her journey begins at the majestic Himalayas with the Gangotri temple which can be seen near her head . She winds past the iconic clock tower of Har-ki-paudi at Haridwar ( can be seen near her right hand ) and reaches Varanasi ( seen near her left thigh ) , the oldest living city on earth . Further down , one can see Nabadwip with the temple to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu . Near her feet are the temples Kalighat and Dakshineshwar standing for the city of Calcutta . Finally she meets the sea in Bay of Bengal and waves can be sheen crashing against her toes which form the shore . The Ganga Sagar island with the temple fo Kapil Muni can be seen in the ocean waters . In her left hand she folds the urn of bounty – her gifts of nourishment to her children . Gangetic dolphins and fishes play in her lap . And the flora and fauna of Gangetic plains form her seat . A poem written in Bengal’s medieval ‘panchali’ style by the painter himself narrates the story of her descent from Himalayas and journey to the seas .

Note: Each Pouraniki artwork is delivered as a rolled up print wrapped in paper and a protective sheath. A print is never delivered framed unless a request is specially placed at concierge@karu.co.in