How Is Durga Maa Murti Made?
The worship of Goddess Durga, also known as Durga Puja or Navaratri, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus all over India and in other parts of the world. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Durga Puja celebrations last for 5 days and culminate on the 10th day known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
The main draw of Durga Puja is the elaborate clay idols of Goddess Durga that are installed in specially made artistic Pandals. Each Durga idol is unique and is considered to be the embodiment of the Goddess herself during the period of worship. The making and worshipping of the idols is therefore an elaborate, carefully-followed process full of devotion and reverence.
Sculpting
Sculpting the Durga murti begins with selecting the right type of clay. Traditionally, Durga murtis are sculpted from clay sourced locally from river banks. The clay is collected, cleaned and treated before sculpting begins.
There are two main types of clay used – white clay and red clay. White clay is very soft and ideal for detailed sculpting. It can capture fine details and intricate carvings. However, white clay is not very durable. Red clay is more coarser but extremely durable. It holds shape well but does not capture fine details.
For sculpting Durga murtis, a combination of white and red clay is used. The inner core and main shape is first sculpted in red clay to provide a strong base structure. The details, ornaments and finer features are then sculpted in white clay over the red clay frame.
The proportions and measurements are very important in the clay frame, as per the shastraic principles of murti making. The mud modelers are highly skilled and trained in clay sculpting as per these religious texts and methods passed down through generations.
Molding Process
The molding process is an important step in creating Durga murtis. Skilled artisans use the original clay or plaster sculptures to create molds that can be used for mass production of idols. Here is an overview of the molding process:
First, the original sculpture is coated in layers of oil and clay to create a barrier. Next, liquid plaster is poured over the sculpture to create the main mold. The plaster is allowed to set until hard. Once set, the mold is carefully removed from the original sculpture.
The mold is then cleaned and refined to remove any imperfections. Intricate details are carved and molded pieces for the hands, faces and ornaments are prepared separately and attached later.
The main mold is separated into parts, so it can be removed from the final idol. Funnels and channels are created for pouring in the idol material later. Keys and wedges are added to align the mold parts accurately.
The mold is then coated with layers of oil, clay and plaster again to create a strong, flawless mold. This completed mold can now be used to create multiple Durga idols in various materials like plaster of paris, clay or mud.
Casting
Casting is one of the most popular techniques used for creating Durga murtis. The process involves making a clay model of the deity first. Sculptors carefully shape the clay to create an intricate, detailed model reflecting the goddess’s divine form. Once the clay model is ready, it is used to make a plaster of Paris mold.
Making the plaster mold involves coating the clay model with separating agents so that the plaster does not stick to the clay. Liquid plaster is then poured over the clay model and allowed to set. The plaster sets into a hardened mold, capturing all the details of the original clay sculpture. The clay model is then removed from the plaster mold.
The plaster mold is extremely durable and can be used to make multiple castings of the deity image. Liquid plaster is poured into the mold and allowed to harden. Once set, the plaster is removed from the mold and the casting is ready. The plaster casting accurately reproduces the original clay model. The casting may require some cleaning and finishing before it is ready to be painted and decorated.
Casting with plaster of Paris allows artisans to efficiently produce numerous accurate replicas of the deity image. The technique makes it feasible to create murtis for the large number of Durga Puja pandals erected during the festival. The plaster casts are then hand-painted using vibrant colors and adorned with clothing, jewelry and ornaments to ready them for the ceremonies.
Painting the Durga Maa Murti
The painting of the Durga Maa murti is an intricate process that brings the sculpture to life. Traditional Hindu murtis are painted in vivid colors using natural dyes and pigments. The painting style is inspired by ancient Indian murals and miniature paintings.
The artisans first prepare the base by applying chalk paste on the sculpture. This smooth surface allows the paints to set properly. Next, they outline the features of the murti using a brush and black ink. This stage is crucial in defining the facial features and expressions.
The painting begins with the application of primer coats using white, red or yellow colors. The white base enhances the vibrancy of the final coats. The red tone is considered auspicious while yellow symbolizes knowledge. Once the base dries, the artisans use brushes made of goat hair to paint intricate designs.
They use natural colors extracted from minerals, leaves, and flowers. For example, vermilion red is obtained from cinnabar, blue from indigo, green from the foliage of peepal or neem. Gold and silver paints are also used for ornamentation and jewelry. The dyes are mixed with gum arabic for binding.
The painting style follows conventions of Hindu iconography. The artisans refer to manuals describing the colors associated with each deity. For example, Durga Maa’s skin is painted golden yellow while the Asura is given a dark complexion. Elaborate motifs, patterns and jewelry are painted with great attention to detail.
The final touch is the application of varnish to protect the murti. Traditional plant-based varnishes like wood-apple give the idols a polished, glossy finish. The painting brings out the divine aura of the deities through its vibrant colors and delicate details.
Decoration
Durga Maa idols are lavishly decorated to invoke the goddess’s divine blessings. The ornaments, clothes, and flowers used in the decoration carry deep symbolic meaning.
Ornaments made of gold, silver and precious gems adorn the goddess. Large, elaborate necklaces, arm bands, waist belts, anklets and crowns featuring precious stones like diamonds, emeralds and rubies are used. The jewelry signifies the immense wealth and prosperity granted by Durga Maa.
Silk and brocade sarees in red, the color of Shakti, are draped on the idol. The saree’s rich pallu is arranged to flow gracefully. Vermillion red flowers like roses and hibiscus are used for decoration. Flowers and leaves are strung into long garlands that decorate Durga Maa’s crown, neck, arms and the lion she rides.
The intricate decoration transforms the idol into a glorious vision of the divine feminine in all her magnificence. Devotees believe the more elaborate the decoration, the more pleased Durga Maa will be by their devotion.
Consecration
The consecration of the Durga murti is an important ritual performed before the idol is installed for the Puja. This ceremony brings the idol to life so that it is now considered a manifestation of Maa Durga herself.
The consecration typically takes place on the day of Mahalaya, before the start of Navratri and Durga Puja. On this day, the idol is given a ritual bath with water, milk, honey, ghee, curd, and other auspicious items. Mantras are chanted by the priest as the idol is bathed to infuse it with shakti or divine energy.
The priest also performs prana pratishtha, where the life force and spirit of Durga are invited to reside in the murti. This ritual brings the idol to life. The murti’s eyes are opened by removing the covering and painting in the irises. This awakening of the eyes is called netrotshob.
After the consecration rituals, the murti is believed to be the manifestation of Maa Durga. The idol is now ready for installation and worship during Durga Puja.
Installation
The installation of the Durga Maa murti is an elaborate process involving rituals and ceremonies. The idol is brought into the puja mandapa or pandal with much fanfare and placed at a pre-determined spot. This spot is first purified by washing and coating with cow dung. A wooden pedestal is prepared by carpenters and painted according to specifications. The pedestal has a notch or hole in the center to hold the main idol.
On an auspicious day and time, the idol is brought to the mandapa in a procession accompanied by music and chanting. The priests carefully unload the idol and place it over the pedestal notch/hole. It is slowly lowered ensuring a perfect fit. The idol is then affixed to the pedestal with nails, glue and other fixtures. The pedestal provides stability and support to the tall idol. Additional smaller idols are installed on the sides of the main murti.
Priests perform ceremonies to infuse life into the idol by chanting mantras and establish a spiritual connection. The prana pratishtha ritual invites the Goddess to reside in the murti during the puja days. The idol is then draped with a saree and adorned with flowers, garlands and jewellery. With the opening of the eyes, the Goddess is believed to be now present in the murti to accept prayers and blessings. The installation is complete and the idol is ready for the grand Durga Puja celebrations.
Daily Rituals
During the nine days of Navratri when Goddess Durga is worshipped, there are daily prayers and offerings made to the deity. The murti is treated as a living goddess during this time. Each day has specific rituals and significance.
The day typically starts with a ritual bathing of the murti, washing Durga Ma’s feet and adorning her with fresh clothes and flowers. She is offered perfumes, incense and lamps during the prayers. There are chanting of mantras and reading of religious texts. Food offerings of fruits and sweets are made multiple times throughout the day.
Some of the daily rituals include chanting the Durga Saptashati, reciting the aarti prayer, and offering bhog or prasad. Special fruit and sweet dishes are prepared as naivedya. The priest and devotees ask for the blessings of the Mother Goddess to fulfill wishes and remove difficulties.
The ninth day of Navratri is Mahanavami when a kumari pooja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Durga are worshipped. Their feet are washed and prayers offered to them as forms of the Goddess.
The immersion of the murtis on Vijayadashami signifies Durga Ma’s return to Mount Kailash after ten days on earth. The idols are taken in processions and immersed in water bodies. It is believed the Goddess takes the prayers and wishes of devotees back with her.
Immersion
The immersion of the Durga Maa murti marks the end of the Durga Puja festival. On the tenth day after Maha Ashtami, the murti is taken in a public procession to a river or other body of water to be immersed. This process is called visarjan. The immersion is done late at night or early morning.
Before the visarjan, the murti is decorated with flowers and garlands. The feet of the murti are cleaned with water as a mark of respect. Devotees gather around the pandal to offer their final prayers and bid farewell to Durga Maa. There is singing, dancing and the playing of musical instruments.
The murti is carried on a wooden palanquin accompanied by devotees to the immersion site. Many devotees get emotionally overwhelmed during visarjan as they are bidding goodbye to Durga Maa. After reaching the water, the idol is slowly immersed into the water while devotees chant “Asche bochor abar hobe” meaning “See you again next year”.
The clay used to make the murti naturally dissolves in the water. The dissolving of the murti symbolizes the impermanent nature of the human body and everything material in the world. It also marks Durga’s return to Mount Kailash, her abode, after slaying Mahishasura until she is invoked again next year.
