Hi all, West Bengal celebrates owls as vahana of goddess Lakshmi. The crafts people make wooden owls made of wood of Neem(Azadirachta indica) and Gamhar(Gmelina arborea) trees. Reportedly Neem is the sacred wood associated with Goddess Lakshmi. These owl statues are worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi in homes in West Bengal. These owl statues are either fully painted or partly painted. But in either form, they are stunning. The size ranges from three inch to couple of feet. I happened to see these wooden owls in a craftsperson's stall who had come from West Bengal to sell his wares in Dilli Haat. A special exhibition of crafts of West Bengal is currently on at Dilli Haat, INA near the open air theatre. This special West Bengal exhibition will be on until 30th, June, 2014. These days owls are in fashion as jewellery items, and as brass decorative pieces. But come Diwali, and owls have to flee for their lives!!! It is intriguing that we have cultures that celebrate and yet destroy birds and animals at the same time. Are there other trees whose wood is preferred and is used for making temples etc. of Gods or statues of gods and goddesses? Would appreciate any input on this. Kind Regards Janaki
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