Asian Art Museum of San Francisco: Ganga - Deity of the Ganges

Hindu Deity Ganga

Carving of Ganga:  This small carving (about 15" high) is the subject of my first practice presentation I am giving as part of my Asian Art Museum docent training.  The sculpture is of Ganga the Hindu Deity of the Ganges River.  People growing up familiar with the Hindu tradition would recognize the lotus flower in her left hand and a water vessel in her right hand and symbols representing Ganga.  She is standing on a mythical water creature called a makara.  Hindus believe that all who came into the path of Ganga would be purified.

The deity Ganga and the Ganges River are one and the same.  According to Hindu mythology, Ganga came down from the heavens to form the Ganges River originating in the Himalayas, flowing 1500 miles through North India into the Ganges River Basin in Bangladesh and into the Bay of Bengal. The identification with water is significant for Ganga.  For centuries and to this day people flock to bathe in the Ganges River to be purified of sins.

My presentation went well.