These beautiful masks are hand carved and painted by Newari artisans of Nepal. This mask features 'Hitimanga' (in Buddhism) or 'Makara' (in Hinduism). It is a hybrid creature, with lower jaw of a crocodile, snout or trunk of an elephant, tusks and ears of a wild boar, eyes of a monkey, scales and flexible body of a fish, and tail of a peacock. This creature is traditionally identified with water and is believed to be the source of existence and fertility. In Hindu mythology, it is equivalent to the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It is also the vehicle or vahana of the Vedic Water God Varuna and the River Goddess Ganga.
Traditionally hung over the main entrance of the house to deter evil spirits and negativity. It can also be used as a wall hanging.
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