Garba pot

Unglazed Terracotta Garba Pot. India. 20th Century.

Unglazed terracotta pot with circular base. Widens out for about half its height then narrows somewhat, but to a fairly wide neck. Three white lines painted on upper half of pot running round the neck. Two rows of holes perforated between these lines to let light escape if used to hold candle.

This Garba pot, used during Navratri, symbolises the body which has five openings, and related the human body with the earth. The brightness of the aatmaa (soul) manifests via the various holes in the pot. Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in honour of the goddess Durga spanning over nine nights.

Unglazed