Virabhadra Bhuta Figure

Originating from the spirit worship traditions of coastal Karnataka, Bhuta figures are sacred representations used in ritual performances to honor powerful local deities and ancestral spirits. Rooted in pre-Hindu animistic beliefs and later influenced by Shaivism, these figures are carved from wood or cast in metal and are central to ceremonies invoking protection, healing, and community well-being.

Among the most prominent is Virabhadra, a fierce form of Lord Shiva, depicted with dynamic posture and adorned with ritual ornaments—symbolizing divine wrath and guardianship.