Religious Medium of Nepal: Religious Complexity on Cloth

THE EPOCH TIMES
By Adam Swart

NEPAL---This paubha (Newar for “scroll painting”) dated to 1850 reveals a lot of what made the Chitrakar painting-clan of the Newars unique and cause for celebration. Newar painters used red pigment extensively in their work, often from ground cinnabar. In keeping with the religious syncretism of the Kathmandu Valley, this divinity is practiced by both Hindu and Buddhist followers and is worshipped as a provider of rain. In this painting, Rato Machhendranath is housed in a temple featuring characteristics typical of Newar architecture, such as the multi-tiered structure, intricately carved wooden arches above windows and doorways (torana), bells hanging from upturned temple eaves, and the golden hemispherical stupa mounds. [link]