Utsava Murti
March 26, 2007
Another charming tradition in the temples that I have visited is that the deity, while usually situated deep in the inner sanctum, is frequently taken out for various festivals and celebrations. So, as you see here in this Lakshmi temple, there is a large granite Lakshmi in the back and a smaller utsava (or festival) deity in the foreground.
The utsava murti is usually made of brass and is always elaborately dressed in a silk sari with jewels, and flowers. For whatever reason the utsava murtis are always made with a very happy expression. The front hands are in the mudra of protection (our left) and giving (our right side). Her hands in the back are holding lotus flowers. She wears a very tall crown in the style of south india.
It is also worth noting that the blue sari shown above is a single piece of silk about 8 yards long (24 feet!). The proper way to fold and drape the silk is quite elaborate and temples will frequently have one priests who’s specialty is the dressing and decorating of the deities (called alankaram in sanskrit).