Paper short abstract:

The paper explores shrines adorning the streets of Kolkata, of which there are permanent and ephemeral ones. While people from all walks of life participate in their creation and maintenance, what separates them is class and economy.

Paper long abstract:

The paper will provide a visual narrative of the multitude of shrines that adorn the streets of Kolkata. Such shrines are either permanent or ephemeral depending on the resources of the patron. I argue that while the more affluent patronize the permanent structures, the ephemeral ones are equally significant, both in terms of artistic quality and ritual function. The conclusion will suggest that these shrines provide a roadmap of "popular piety," in which all participate on some level. As such, these shrines should be seen not only as religious objects but also as works of art, since they combine the pragmatic with the aesthetic.