Browse Items (154 total)

On a pillar of the temple is this gray makara, a mythical aquatic beast associated with the Ganges gharial, a species of crocodile. The makara is associated with Kamadeva, god of desire, as well as the goddess Ganga and the Vedic god of the sea,…

On a pillar of the temple is this stylized peacock. The peacock is sometimes associated with the god Brahma and his consort, Saraswati.

Datta, a combination of Vishnu, Brahma, and Siva, is a god most familiar in Maharashtra. While most Hindu temples display images of various gods and goddesses throughout, as does this temple, this Datta Temple places all three gods in its innermost…

An ascetic figure sits atop the roof of the temple, clothed in the saffron robes that indicate his commitment to live as a brahmacarin and carrying the walking stick necessary for his life as wanderer. The sunglasses indicate that this figure was…

An ascetic figure sits atop the roof of the temple, clothed in the saffron robes that indicate his commitment to live as a brahmacarin and carrying the walking stick necessary for his life as wanderer. The sunglasses indicate that this figure was…

This image of an ascetic in a modified lotus position sits in a niche in the upper outside wall of the temple.

Performing puja to the deity of the temple, Ganapathy, the priest offers the flame.

Performing puja to the deity, Ganapathy, the priest and a worshipper offer flowers.

At the doorway to the shrine of the temple, people discuss the morning puja with the temple priest.

At the doorway to the shrine of the temple, men are asked in Marathi, Hindi, and English to remove their upper garments and leather belts out of respect. Everyone removes their shoes at the door.