Prayer Cloth

Prayer cloth known as a namavali or nambali meaning string of names. The central section of the textile has thirty six shiva linga with a snake wrapped around it with auspicious symbols around them and Bengali text on top. The top row has been cut off. The edges have footprints with symbols inside interspersed with a circular motif modeled after a chhapa stamp used to mark the bodies of Hindu devotees. The borders are made up of a mango motif also known as mankolam or kalka and is considered a symbol of fertility. During British rule these type of motif gained the English name "paisley". The text on the linga tells mentions Shiva and Durga.