Durga दुर्गा | Mosaic of the Goddess and Her Lion | Museum Poster

दुर्गा | Some say the goddess is a single bright figure, grandchild. The mosaic-makers know better. Look how she is built — every tile a moment, every gold piece a small offering. The lion at her side is gold made fur. The demon's painted head waits patiently at the column. Her sword raises in one hand, her bow in another, the lotus in a third. Even her hair is a thousand tiny dark tiles. She is assembled from the prayers of all who came before. We are part of the picture too, if we stand close enough.