Goddess Lakshmi - Chantal Jumel

Odisha chita/jhoti, " Painting the walls and the floors " — part 4

Considered auspicious, the patterns dedicated to the Goddess, as in other parts of India, are often floral, with a preference for lotuses and footprints, to guide Goddess Lakshmi home.

Chita/jhoti/Odisha

Odisha chita/jhoti, "Arts and Crafts in Bhubaneswar, " — part 1

After three years of seclusion at home, drawing, writing, editing videos and photographs, frustration finally gave way to the joy of travelling to India again. I had planned to document other forms of Indian murals and floor paintings, but to my surprise, I was offered a research trip to Odisha.

Navaratri/Celebrate the Goddess

Navaratri kolam to celebrate the Goddess

Navaratri, literally "Nine Nights", zealously celebrates the manifestations of the female creative force called Shakti Devi. This festival, which goes by different names in various parts of India, lasts for nine nights and ten days.

God Hanuman

The household deities — part 2

Besides Lakshmi, other gods are also worshipped: Agni, the god of fire; Yama, the god of death; Navagraha, the nine planets as well as snakes in the form of diagrams etc.

God Hanuman

The household deities — part 1

In Hindu traditions, every home has a shrine in front of which, rites and offerings are made in honour of various deities. The altar has one or several statues or images that represent the family’s favourite gods or goddesses.

Brata/rituals

Bengal alpona, "At Sumitra’s home"— part 3

In the centre of the courtyard, wrapped in a white shawl, Sumitra paints with a confident hand on the beaten earth. She guides the milky substance between her fingers and invokes the presence of Goddess Lakshmi by repeating her footprints like an incantation.

Mandana/Rajasthan

Rajasthan mandana, "Adorning the floors and the home for Diwali" — part 6

In Rajasthan floor paintings, most patterns of animate beings come to life on the vertical surfaces of the house, except for the symbolic representations of the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi, called paglya, and the hoof prints of the cow which are drawn on the floor inside and outside the house.

Mandana/Rajasthan

Rajasthan mandana, "Adorning the floors for Diwali" — part 5

During Diwali, houses are renovated, mud houses are repaired, the thatched roofs are redone. Walls, courtyards, cooking hearths, inner rooms, pillars, doorways are decorated with mandana, and women draw inspiration from various sources.