This is a painted terracotta representing the Lord of the
Tigers.
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.
