A spot on the side of a large tree in a remote Orissan village has been daubed with black oil and vermilion every day for centuries. The result is 'the face' of the Goddess Gelubai, the community deity. Each day in preparation for worship this image of Gelubai is first bathed in holy water and daubed with fresh applications of oil and vermilion. Then a fresh sari is wrapped around the tree and pleated in front. Finally, jewelry is applied to her ears and forehead and flowers are placed all around her.
Padmapoda, Puri District, Orissa
Archive Scan #: I26_022