Nagas and Naginis are the serpent spirits that inhabit places usually associated with water such as lakes and oceans. Their society is based on the Hindu caste system and includes: kings, nobles, warriers and commoners. Nagas may be Buddhist or non-Buddhist; the latter are the mortal enemies of the Garuda birds. Nagas are thought to be involved with: guarding the mansions of the gods; influencing the wind and rain; marking out the courses of rivers and streams. They also watch over treasures concealed from humans.
The statues are finished in dark oxidised copper; the faces are hand painted using paints enriched with gold. |
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