In this spectacular dhokra craft, Lord Garuda is carrying the Lord Vishnu and Laksmi, his consort.

This lovely work is crafted with the ancient dhokra technique, a laborious lost wax process practiced in north Indian region of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. In this technique, first a model is sculpted of clay and dried in the sun. Then it is covered with beeswax and more clay and a mold is formed. The piece is cast, cleaned and again dried in the sun. Finally, it is heated in the ground for five days and polished.

Garuda is depicted as having a golden body, white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak, but with a strong man's body. He wears a crown on his head. He is ancient and has size enough to block out the sun.

According to legends, when Garuda was born, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Following prayers from Gods, Garuda reduced himself in size and energy.

His father was the creator-rishi Kasyapa and mother mother Vinata. Vinita's sister was Kadru, the mother of serpents. One day, Vinata became enslaved to her sister after she had lost a foolish bet. Garuda promised the serpents that he would bring them elixir, guarded by the gods in lieu of his mother's freedom. The gods guarded the elixir heavily as it was their source of immortality and ringed it with a massive fire that covered the sky. It was almost impregnable for anybody. Two gigantic poisonous snakes remained stationed next to the elixir as deadly guardians.

An Undaunted Garuda stiil could mange to enter and taking the elixir into his mouth without swallowing it, he headed toward the serpents. En route, he encountered Vishnu. Rather than fight, the two exchanged promises. Vishnu promised Garuda the gift of immortality even without drinking from the elixir, and Garuda promised to become Vishnu's mount.

At long last, Garuda alighted in front of the waiting serpents. Placing the elixir on the grass, and thereby liberating his mother Vinata from her servitude, he urged the serpents to perform their religious ablutions before consuming it. As they prepared tp perform, Indra made off with the elixir. From that day onward, Garuda was the ally of the gods and the trusty mount of Vishnu, as well as the implacable enemy of snakes, upon whom he preyed at every opportunity.