From personal album of a Swami associated Ramakrishna Mission in Kashmir for past many decades. Photo shared by Ashima Kaul.
The celebration was organised by Bengali-Kashmiri Sabha in which Kashmiri Pandits and Bengalis were members.
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Notes of Goddess Boats of Kashmir
5 Matrkas. 5 Mother Goddesses.
9th century, Devsar. Kashmir.
We can see Vaishnavi seated on Garuda, Brahmani seated on Hamsa, Mahesvari seated on Nandi, Varahi seated on Boar and Camunda on a circular seat. In the lower register we can see various female musicians and a dancer striking a pose. The whole scene is mounted on a boat. This is the earliest depiction of a boat in sculptural art of Kashmir. Possibly inspired by musical boat processions that may have been held in Kashmir for celebrating the mother goddesses, festivities ending with visarjan, or immersion of idols into water.
The image was discovered by J.L. Bhan.
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