Thursday, 11 May 2017

Facts about the Shiva Statue

One of the most important Gods in Hinduism is Lord Shiva, who is also Trimurti’s third arm. The Trimurti is composed of the creator, the organizer, and lastly, the destroyer. These correspond to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (or Mahesh). Shiva the destroyer maintains life’s cycle. He is also known as Lord Natarja, and is believed to be both a generous and formidable figure. 



A Shiva statue has a few distinct features: a third eye found on the forehead, a curved moon on his head, hair that represents the River Ganges, and a snake (Vasuki) wrapped around his neck which represents the Lord’s cosmic energy. In most statues, he has a Trishula or a trident which has a two-headed drum or a Damru, and a flame which means the destruction of the world so that a new one can arise. He could also be wearing clothes which are created from a leopard’s skin, and standing above a demon dwarf who stands for man’s ignorance and ego, which Shiva has defeated in order to attain true wisdom. 

According to the science of structural design in Ayurveda or Vastu, the best place for a Shiva statue to be positioned is on the northeast corner of your home. This is also the ideal place for meditation or the Pooja room or the Ishan corner. A Shiva statue must never be placed on the floor, and the safest area to put it is on an altar table. One Shiva statue is enough, as two or more figures can counteract the energy. A figure of Lord Shiva must never be placed in the workplace or in an office. 


Sunday, 16 April 2017

Ganesh Wall Hangings: Gifting Ideas for Inauguration party

Home inauguration is undeniably one of the most important events in a family’s life.  Moving into a residence is filled with joy and great expectations of a safe, secure and happy life. It is precisely because of the such joy that friends and family are invited for the inauguration or house warming celebration. Guests who are invited for home inauguration sometimes get confused on the right gift for the occasion. A simple answer exists for well-meaning friends of the family that is moving into their new home – a wall hanging ganesh sculpture.



Gift that is elegant, classy and an artifact

A brass turquoise ganesh wall hanging sculpture can be the most elegant and classic gift for a friend taking up residence. It is an artifact that impresses by the quality of its finish, the skill of the artisan and superior material.  It can adorn literally any space within the residence and lift the overall appearance of the living space.

Auspicious idol for dwelling as per Hindu customs

A ganesh idol is considered to be auspicious as per Hindu customs and religion. It is believed to bring in great prosperity and happiness to the dwelling. An invitee to a home inauguration would do well to wish the new resident great success and prosperity by gifting a wall hanging ganesh sculpture. Not only will it’s look appeal to the residents, it will help them to see greater success and prosperity.

Good fengshui for wisdom and wealth

Considered as good fengshui for wisdom and wealth, it will help the inhabitants of the residence to acquire greater knowledge and wealth. Ganesh is considered as the destroyer of all evil and any obstacles that may come in the path of those residing in the home adorned with the idol mask.  It is a good idea to gift a loved one with a wall hanging that can bring good luck and success.

Make the home inauguration more memorable and enjoyable for the new home owner, by gifting a stunning wall hanging of Ganesh. This will improve the esthetics of the living space in addition to translating your wishes of prosperity into reality by the wall hanging sculpture.


Brighten up your Home with Indian Handicrafts

Indian artisans have for long fascinated the global traveller. This is because of the distinct art form. A very rich and diverse culture, with many languages and traditions and cultures have only added to the extensive range of collectables originating from India.  Skilled artisans display traditional art forms in intricate and exquisite handicrafts that are much sought after globally.



Wall hangings to lend contrast

Wall hangings can transform walls and rooms into inspiring spaces.  For instance, a decorative wall hanging showpiece depicting a tree made from metal can be an awe inspiring object of art. The minute detailing and the colors that go into this piece of art make it irresistible. An appealing and distinct work of art, these products of superior craftsmanship, are the décor that will brighten up sore eyes.

Artistic statues of Hindu deities

Known for artistic rendition of Hindu mythology, artisans carve, sculpt and create intricate and fascinating objects of art that can decorate and light up interiors.  Some of the art forms depict various important incidents in mythology, which help to establish a connect. In addition to creating an enriching appeal to homes, the handicrafts also help to remind home owners of their cultural and religious identity.

Utilitarian objects of handicraft

Nothing sells better that a handicraft that has great utility value. The combination of utilitarian value and handcrafted appeal makes it a much sought after belonging.  Indian handicrafts include a wide range of such utilitarian objects of art. One of the most common are hand finished wooden wall clocks. The analog clocks that feature in these handcrafted wonders add to the old world charm of vintage designs. An ideal handcraft to feature in living rooms and dining rooms, wooden clocks are in great demand among the art conscious.

India has always been a melting pot of cultures and artforms, with a highly appreciative audience. This deep interest in art has helped to keep traditional art forms alive, helping artisans to express themselves in exquisite collectables.


Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Why Krishna Statues are Gaining Much Prominence

Krishna is among the most widely worshipped and one of the most popular Indian divinities. He is worshipped as the eight incarnation of Vishnu, and is also a supreme god himself. Krishna became the focus of a number of devotional cults that have produced a great deal of religious music, poetry, and art over many years. 

As a child, Krishna was adored for his mischievousness. He has also done a lot of miracles and defeated demons. In his youth, he became known as a lover. The music coming from his flute entices the wives and daughters of cowherds to leave their homes and dance with him in the night. His favorite among these women was Radha. However, Krishna, together with his brother Balarama, went back to Mathura to slay the evil Kamsa. When he found that the kingdom was unsafe, Krishna established his court at Dvaraka, and married the princess Rukmini.


There are many legends linked to Krishna, which have led to numerous representations in painting and sculpture. The child Krishna can be seen crawling on his hands and knees or dancing happily. The lover Krishna, which is the most common depiction, can be seen playing a flute. There are also statues that show Krishna and Radha together, which is considered as a blend of feminine and masculine god.

There are Krishna statues that are carved out of wood, stone, brass, or metal. If you are looking to buy a Krishna statue, it is best if you purchase it from an authentic and reputable online seller. Look for an online store that sources its products from local Indian artisans. It will even be better if you find a seller that supports India’s local economy and donates part of the sales to charity. Always check the returns policy of the seller before making any purchase.

Explore Architectural Marvels of Durga Statues

Durga, the mother goddess of Hinduism, has many incarnations. It is believed that she is the cause of creation, obliteration, and sustenance. Durga is essentially formless and is purely energy, and that is why she manifests in other gods and demi-gods. You may find rare and mesmerizing statues of Durga in different form in India and Nepal.

In Durga’s depictions, you can see her with eight or ten hands. The hands symbolize the eight or ten directions in Hinduism and suggest that she provides protection to all devotees from all directions. Durga can be depicted riding a lion or a tiger; the tiger represents the infinite power thus goddess possesses, while the lion represents the animalistic tendencies that are hard to control, such as anger, selfishness, jealousy, arrogance, and greed. Durga sitting on the lion serves as a reminder to control these tendencies, so that they don’t control you.


There are Durga statues that are made of brass, and some are even adorned with precious stones such as coral and turquoise. If you wish to have a Durga statue that is not in a sitting position, you may also find statues of her in a victory stance. There are also statues depicting Durga riding her lion as she slays Mahishasura. It is believed that Durga has been reincarnated only to destroy Mahishasura, who intended to kill the Devas. 

If you are looking to buy a Durga statue, it’s best to purchase it from an authentic and reputable online seller. Do you want to purchase a rare and unique statue? Look for an online store that sources its products from local Indian artisans. It will even be better if you find a seller that supports India’s local economy and donates part of the sales to charity. It is also important to always check the returns policy of the seller in order to ensure the statue’s quality.


Get back into 18th century with Brass Buddha Statue

Undeniably, brass is the metal of choice figurines and statues. Globally, brass and bronze has a special attraction, lending its name to the statue itself.  For instance, statues of a bygone era are more often than not, identified as a Chola Bronze or Brass etc.  A brass Buddha lends more elegance to the place it occupies, by virtue of the statue being an idol of Buddha and the metal used in the making of the statue.  Highlighted below are a few features present in a brass Buddha, which can help you choose the right one.

Various classic postures symbolizing beliefs of Buddhism

Brass buddha statues are generally available in various postures, each posture symbolizing various mudras. These mudras typically seen in iconography and spiritual symbols of religions practiced in the Indian sub-continent, are representative. For instance, a statue of the Buddha with finger touching the earth symbolizes his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Similarly, various other postures are available, which you can choose to reflect your mood or help you to meditate on what’s portrayed.


Ideal gifting concept for various occasions

A bronze Buddha is an ideal gifting concept suitable for most occasions.  This could be the perfect anniversary, wedding, birthday, fengshui or home décor gift. Carefully crafted from high quality brass, these statues are a fine example of Indian craftsmanship. With a deep and historical tradition of sculptures and statues, India has some of the finest craftsmen in the world, who weave magic with their fingers, that is passed on from generation to generation.

Intricate design with relief work on surface 

The intricate relief work on the surface of the brass Buddha are a joy to behold. Of uniform design and executed to enhance the appearance, the exquisite carving and finish, help to portray a quality that is visually appealing.  Coupled with the strong religious beliefs of certain postures such as the blessing Buddha, the 8” statue will be a great gift to give others or oneself.  If you haven’t been gifted one, then it would be the right time to get one for yourself.

The subcontinent is strong in cultural and religious beliefs. The talismans, the figurines, the iconography and various other symbols hold great importance in religious rituals. If you would like to relive the cultural and religious traditions, then it is time to get a brass Buddha from one of the best handicraft dealers in India.


Nataraja Brass Statue: A memorable Gift Statue

A religious-cultural symbol very famous in the South of India, Nataraja, also known as the posture of the king of the dance, is an artifact of great artistic value. As the very translation of the name in Sanskrit suggests, the Nataraja statue portrays various poses of dance.  If you have decided to gift a brass Nataraja for any occasion, then it would help to also understand the various postures adopted. The combination of brass and action-filled posture deep-rooted in tradition give a wonderful effect to the statue. Here are some of the postures that you commonly get to see in a brass Nataraja.

The significance of the ring

Most of the statues have a ring within which the king of the dance is portrayed. It symbolizes a ring of fire that will destroy creation held in the upper left hand. Brass statues of Nataraja handcrafted by extremely gifted and expert craftsmen portray a perfect ring of fire. This adds to the beauty of the statue, encircling the dance movements and enhancing the form.


Stamping out illusion and ignorance

The leg stamping a demon symbolizes the crushing of illusion and ignorance.  While different temples and sculptures show variance in the poses, the interpretation is the same. The cosmic dance symbolized in the classic Nataraja stance is a fiery representation, very popular in cultural and religious circles. Entire programs revolve around the staging of this cosmic dance. Gifting a neat little Nataraja statue to a connoisseur of art and tradition is a great idea.

Creation of a new life

The dance symbolizes the creation of a new life from the ashes.  Bronze statues and figurines in the classic stance are wonderful replicas of the statues in temples in the South of India.  The whole posture portrays with great intrigue the balance achieved while also depicting fast paced action in destruction of forces to pave the way for a new rising. 

The statues with reliefs are great pieces of art, exquisite and intricate, a testimony of the skill of the craftsmen behind the statue.  It is a timeless tradition that very machines can replicate. In great demand among those appreciative of culture and deep religious beliefs, the Nataraja state can be a great option for gifting.  The statues or figurines that showcase dancing can adorn your living room lending it a classic look with a touch of elegance.