Repairing Damaged Deities -

Sounds like they fall under the exception categories.

Since they have previously been worshiped it is not correct to keep them in storage (ie without worship), however neither is it correct to worship them without repair. Best is if you repair them asap and then worship.

I believe that the process is the same for Jaganath in Puri. The wooden deity is sometimes covered in cloth soaked in plaster of paris. Then when dry painted. In the case of Jagannatha it is powdery water based paint. If they are purely wooden the paint seems to be more durable. My best suggestion would be to have someone from Ekachakra who was completely familiar with the process do it. If such a person is not available then enquire from someone you know to get the directions from India. When you have more exact directions or if you cannot get them then begin the work. Under these circumstances find the best craftsman you know to do it or do it yourself.

Before beginning (Jirna Pratishta) meditate on the deities and invoke their presence from the deities into two kumbhas (pots with water, mango leaves, and coconut atop), continue the worship of the pots until the deities are finished. Then re-invoke the deities b meditating on them returning to the deity forms from the pots and sprinkle some of the water on them (or completely bahte each deity with their respective pot in the case of them being painted with waterprrof paint). If water based paint is used one and even sprinkiling is prohibited perform Chaya Abhiseka by using the water to bathe the reflection of the deity in a mirror.

In any case you can begin the worship of the pots as soon as possible or you can just leave it till the deities are completely repaired and then perfrom Pratistha. If the deities were still in a temple or worship situation the worshipers usually would endeavor to continue worship without break by using this system till the repairs are made, but since regular worship has already been broken by someone else there is no need for you to begin it again until the deities are repaired. But you can if you wish start it before, even if it is simply manasic.

Good luck finding someone who can do these things in a traditional manner. If you cannot get good information on how to do it traditionally then just try your best to analyse the materials and methods used and do your best. If all attempts fail to repair the deity nicely it should probably be dicarded in a respectful manner after having a similar new set made and tranferring the Lord's presence by meditation to the new one.

Would that be is, or was? A couple of years back I was told that the old, good murti-wallas had journeyed to the blissful carving grounds, and that only one or two young fellows were around to preserve the heritage. They say Bankura (did I get that right?) is the place of choice for neem-deities these days.