Indian - Lota (Water Jar) - Walters 54563

Jars like this held water for household religious rites. Depicted is the descent of the Ganges, the sacred river, from the god Shiva's mountain abode. The figures on the 12 panels of the main register include the incarnations of the god Vishnu. The lower register has 11 panels with symbols for the main temples along the banks of the Ganges in Benares (Varanasi). Bathing at these sites is believed to cleanse away one's sins.