Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a wooden mask of a mythical creature ‘Chhepu’ has been set up.
In Buddhist culture, it is believed that Chhepu possesses all the superior quality as braveries, truthfulness etc. According to a myth it has three forms. One is the Bird (Garuda) that rules the sky, the second is Chhepu with human face, who rules the land and the third is Pig face (Barah) who rules the Patal.
Due to the bravery, truthfulness and super marks, Chhepu is assigned the place at the main entrance of shrine / monasteries for protection of all danger and therefore its image is painted or carved on wooden relives and pillars of the shrine. It is also placed in the houses by the devotees for the protection from all evil spirit. But wherever it is placed, its ritual importance and value is maintained by infused divine spirit into them through consecration by the lamas/Monks. Otherwise it is simply a piece of art work for decoration.
This single object exhibition under the series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ was curated by Arun Kiro, Assistant Curator and inaugurated by Vikash Narwal, IAS Joint Chief Election Officer, Bhopal. On this occasion, IGRMS officials and visitors were also present.