Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya titled ‘Exhibit of the Week’, The ‘MUKHOTA’, Decorated Wooden Mask of Lama of the Kinnauri Tribe/Community from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, was on Monday displayed in the audience as the 2nd Exhibit of the July, 2020 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.

The word Mukhota denotes mask that covers the face in order to disguise. Mask is an important medium of cultural expression which plays a significant role within the social ethos of the community.

The object presented here is a decorated wooden mask of a Buddhist monk  and is a magnificent piece of art- work. It represents the character of Mahakala, an important Buddhist deity.

Mahakala seems to be always present in the ceremonies of Buddhist communities throughout the Himalayan region.

It is mostly depicted with a crown having five skulls representing the transmutation of five negative affections into five wisdom. The third eye expresses the wisdom of omniscience.

Traditional masks of demons, Buddhist pantheons, animals etc. are predominantly used in religious and sacred ritualistic performances among the Buddhist communities.

Buddhist monks and Lamas wear these masks on their faces and perform dance. Such masks are used with a belief to defeat evil spirits and are kept hanging in the gompas (monasteries) when not being used for ceremonies.

Visitors can see this object from home through the Official site (https://igrms.com/wordpress/?page_id=510) and Facebook site (www.facebook.com/onlineIGRMS/), Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.