Dakshin-Ray
| Title | Dakshin-Ray |
| Title2 | Lord of Tigers |
| Museum Name | National Museum, New Delhi |
| Gallery Name | Anthropology |
| Object Type | Anthropology |
| Main Material | Terracotta |
| Manufacturing Technique | Terracotta, painted |
| Country | India |
| Origin Place | Sunderbans, West Bengal |
| Period / Year of Work | 20th century CE |
| Dimensions | Ht. 41 cms (approx.) |
| Detailed Description | The deity, known as "Lord of the South" or the "God of Tiger", is worshipped after the harvesting is over (i.e. from December to January) in the West Bengal region. It is in the form of a pained head with a pyramidal crown, geometric pattern. The Dakshin-Ray is worshipped by all those who enter the Sunderban forests of West Bengal, for subsistence, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. It is believed that worshipping the deity is necessary for the safe passage of the people passing through these forests. The puja (ritual) for this deity is followed by the Zatal ceremony. This day is also meant for the annual collection of the taxes by the headman. It is believed that if a boatman passes through a southern river or if a fisherman catches fish in any of these tanks or a woodcutter exploits the southern forest products, all of them had to offer puja to this deity. The money thus collected from this puja was considered as tax and taken by the headman. |
| Brief Description | This is a painted terracotta representing the Lord of the Tigers. |