Drying fish is a task assigned to the girls and women in the family, and they start at a young age. Fishing and related activities form the economic backbone of Khar Danda Koliwada, providing livelihoods for the residents and contributing to the socio-economic development of the coastal village.
The fish are spread evenly on the open ground, which is specially coated with cow dung. Cow dung contains antibacterial properties that help disinfect and sanitize surfaces. Coating floors with cow dung can help deter pests such as flies, mosquitoes, and ants, thereby reducing the risk of infestations and associated health hazards.
Dried fish retains much of its nutritional value, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a valuable low-cost nutrition source, particularly in regions where fresh fish may be unavailable or expensive.
Details of the base mouldings of the Suswani Mata Temple. Four mouldings of the vedibandha (basal mouldings) are visible- from bottom to top khura (hoof), kumbha (pot), kalasha (pitcher), kapotali (cyma recta). There are floral motifs on the front face of the kumbha moulding.
Seen here is an inscribed and sculpted hero stone (memorial stone) in the Suswani Mata temple premises, which is built in memory of the deceased soul. It is approximately five feet in height and the front face has an inscription at the centre and human figures in the upper part. The stele is capped with a shikhara (superstructure or spire) motif.
Details of the Latina Nagara (mono-spired) shikhara (superstructure) above the main garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Suswani Mata Temple. The corner bands termed as the venukosha are composed of small aedicules placed in diminishing heights, divided by thin ribbed discus or amalaka. The discus looks like beaded bands. The aedicules have ribbed corners and diamond motifs on the front faces.
View of the modern dharmashala (a charitable public rest house or shelter) rooms added surrounding the verandah (open-air hallway or porch) of the Suswani Mata temple complex. The shikhara (superstructure) of the main temple and the flagstaff of the centrally located old temple are visible from the open ground in front of the main gate.
Seen here is the front side, east-facing, of the shikhara (superstructure) above the main Suswani Mata Temple which is of a Latina Nagara (mon-spired) variety. Square on plan, the shikhara is composed of curvilinear bands. A vertical band of aedicules arranged in a descending manner from top to bottom on the corners. The central band is plain.
View of intricately carved details of a medallion, of the shikhara (superstructure) of the Suswani Mata Temple, which is at the bottom of the shikhara. The design is composed of the gavaksha (dormer window) designs and diamond motifs.