Yamantaka

I bought this mask in Darjeeling many many years ago.  There was a bit of a tourist shop that had a lot of these sorts of things and Thangkas and other Nepalese and Tibetan bits and pieces.  I bought a Thangka as well and I really should get it out and have it framed.  I will have to put it on the list of things to do.

I believe this to be Yamantaka - the destroyer of gods.  If you are interested, the story of Yamantaka is here.  A mystic yogi who was beheaded by a band of poachers who took the head of the buffalo they had killed and then went on a rampage.  You might say, he really lost his head about it.  (Boom tish).

I think he fits the bill for heanku's theme of 'ugly'.  Thanks for hosting.