As for theme, I don’t really have one, per se. I think that will come about when They arrive. It’s Gaura-nitai, They bring the style, baby!

Let me just say that carpeting does nothing for a temple room. I would like hardwood floors, please. Or at least that fake wood laminate stuff. Anything would look better than “greige” carpet.¹

So this is my little empty altar – adorned only with the photos of Radha-Natabar, etc. There’s a tiny Jagannatha “altar” that holds its place in the center, but soon (hopefully) that will all make way for larger Gaura-nitai deities (they’re about 15″).

The backdrop you see will be 1) ironed better and 2) possibly with a design of some sort screen printed upon it. My thoughts at this point are this design. Though I’m not sure how it will look.

And once They arrive, more will be done to match the style They’ll bring. I won’t be able to keep up, of course, but I’ll do my best.

Until then it’s just waiting.

1. Greighe – That disgusting combination of the colors gray and beige.

About a year ago, right after Scoot 66 ended, I stayed with Rati and Dwija at New Vrndavana. It was then that I really fell in love with worshiping Gaura-nitai deities.

I’ve never been a huge deity fan, never really had the desire to regularly worship deities. Until last August.

I thought about it for a bit, talked it over with Rati and Dwija and decided this was the best move for me.

After a bit of searching for already-made and previously loved deities (ending with a big NO in the direction of Sri Galim of 80s New Vrndavana infamy), I decided to order a set to be made by the same deity maker who made Rati and Dwija’s set you see above.

That was almost a year ago.

They were supposed to be ready by Christmas so that Rati’s mom, who is an amazing painter, could paint Them. Christmas came and went and no deities.

Other time frames were set and broken and still no Lordships. Now, I realize that I have very little to do with the comings and goings of God, but still…

When I last heard from the deity maker, he said that They were already cast and just needed to be sanded and painted. This was in March.

Yesterday I sent him an email stating that I’d be more than willing to sand and paint Them myself. Which is mostly true.

I’ve never sanded or painted anything aside from Tom Servo. But that experience taught me a lot. Especially how to work with resin (which is what these deities are made of) and small details in the paint. I have a steady hand and know what I want.

My original idea was for Them to be a yellow-yellow-orange color. Similar to a set I’ve seen from Ekachakra. But then, I saw the Gaur Nitai Dolls in silver at Krishna Culture and was really taken by the color.

I think I could replicate that. I’ve done some searching and learning about paints and faux-metal coating and I really do think that I can pull this off. It’s definitely not traditional, but then neither is my “nothing from India on the altar (except maybe wood)” rule that I’ll be very strictly enforcing, especially when it comes to clothing.

So will They ever show up? I’m guessing that They will eventually. Maybe by this Christmas or by next year’s Gaura Purnima. Until then I’ll just stare at the empty altar and be jealous of Rati and Dwija.

Update!
I just got this email from the deity maker…
“I am out of home just now – will return in a week and will have, finally single focus time for their Lordships.”

I replied, again mentioning that I would be willing to sand and/or paint the deities.

Hopefully this is all good news.