Object Number: VRM354

Dimensions: 167.6cm height

Material: Cericitised Slate

Find Location: Pradyummeshvar (Currently known as Kadamsahar) Tank, Deopara, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh

Date: 12th Century CE

The River Ganga is over 2,500 kilometres long, rising in the Himalayas and flowing through northern India before dispersing into distributaries, such as the Padma-Meghna. The waters of the Ganga have a profound effect on Bangladesh, providing rich agricultural land but bringing the threat of flooding.

The entire length of the River Ganga is considered sacred in many traditions. Bathing in the river allows devotees to cleanse themselves of sin, and water is collected from the river by pilgrims for use in rituals at home.

The personification of the river, the goddess Ganga, is believed to flow from heaven to earth on the locks of Shiva’s hair, and embodies the river’s qualities of health, wealth, prosperity, purity and eternity. Reflecting notions of fertility, the goddess is depicted with exaggerated female physiology and representations of flowers on her garments. Prosperity is projected through the abundance of jewellery, particularly her elaborate crown and large necklace.

Ganga stands on a makara, a mythical aquatic monster, also depicted on Object 8. Ganga usually carries a pot from which the river flows, but her arms have been broken off. This may explain why she was discovered in the bed of the Pradyummeshvar Tank, during investigations at the site by the Varendra Research Society in 1919.

When a sculpture is created and finished, the deity takes up residence. However, when broken or damaged, the image is deemed no longer suitable as a divine residence. Some traditions dictate that damaged images should be disposed of in a water body, allowing the stone to return to its original state. Perhaps the Pradyumneshvar Tank at Deopara was a favoured disposal place as the Society’s excavations there yielded many pieces of sculpture, including this fine Ganga.