Why a new statue of the goddess Kali required a special calming ritual
In short: When the British Museum commissioned a new icon of the goddess Kali for an exhibition on feminine power, the process of moving the deity from Kolkata to London proved complex. Devotees performed a specific ceremony to address the spiritual implications of transporting a worshipped figure.
The murti, or icon, was crafted specifically for a museum display exploring the spectrum of feminine divinity and demonic representation. Because Kali is accustomed to active worship rather than being confined in a shipping crate or undergoing standard museum pest-management procedures, the London Durgotsav Committee intervened to soothe the goddess upon her arrival.
While traditional icons are typically formed from riverbank clay, this version uses fiberglass, jute fiber, and black oil-based paint to ensure durability. To maintain her sacred connection, the artist embedded clay from the Ganges river inside the structure, ensuring a piece of the holy water remains with her permanently.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Welcoming a new Murti (icon) of the goddess Kālī to the British Museum
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