Page:Durga Puja - With Notes and Illustrations.djvu/36

 a buffalo, and a mouse are then moulded. Indeed, before the waning fortnight of Asvina the kumar finishes his work and then the figures are left to dry for some days. The painter enters appearance generally on the third or the fourth day of the waning fortnight of Asvina and paints figures according to the directions given in the Sastras. On the fourth or rather the third day of the waning fortnight of Asvina i. e., about three or four days before the puja the mali(2) decorates the idols with tinsel and imitation ornaments. The idols are ready for worship on the evening of the sixth day of the waxing fortnight of Asvina. On the plank of wood is raised about a foot high a platform of wicker-work covered with plaster of earth. On this platform rest all the figures, their real weight being supported by horizontal props attached to tho strong framework of bamboo-slits and garan, which is shaded from the front view partly by the figures themselves and partly by plaster of earth. Supported on the frame-work of the back is the richly moulded chal, divided into three semi-circular compartments, with the convex sides projecting upwards. In each compartment are painted, according to the injunctions of the Sastras, figures of various gods and goddesses, and scenes