The Ultimate Guide to Spiritual Home Decor: Make Space for The Divine

Article of the Month - Jun 2024

This article by Akhand Pratap is a History Graduate from the University of Delhi and is currently preparing for the Civil Services. He is interested in Indian culture and history and wants to do work that allows him to propagate Indian heritage.

In a world where work and life balance are getting tough and time for your personal growth and spiritual upliftment is difficult to find, the best way to feel positive is by creating spaces for yourself that are welcoming, optimistic, and full of lively energy.

In Indian culture, for centuries people have been establishing icons of gods and goddesses, auspicious symbols, and sacred objects in their homes as powerful spiritual home decor. A spiritual decor piece could be an icon of a deity, an ancient symbol, Vaastu, and Feng shui pieces- basically, any decorative item that has a venerated value.

These decor pieces are crafted by Indian artists trained in their craft for centuries, who infuse them with divine energies and a pleasing aesthetic, making each piece perfect for your space. Let us go deeper into the world of spiritual decor, and understand why it is important to include sacred and powerful objects in your surroundings.


Why Should You Choose Spiritual Home Decor?


Made with durable and artistic material and embodying the auspiciousness of the universe, spiritual home decor is a thoughtful way of amping up your ambiance while adding a sanctified air to it. Sacred pieces of decor such as icons of gods and goddesses bring their blessings into your life.

Decorative items with divine images, serve the purpose of elevating the spaces while welcoming a heavenliness in them. Large-sized Garden statues of divinities- Ganesha, Shiva, Krishna, and Buddha add a marvelous feel to the exteriors of your home, making it feel like the gardens of paradise inhabited by gods. For creating a peaceful and nurturing environment for yourself and your family, spiritual decor is the ideal choice.

We have created this blog as a comprehensive guide for you to pick the perfect spiritual home decor. Starting from the statues of divinities, we will go into the placement and variety of materials that can be looked into before getting the right decor piece for you.

We will also take a look at the ways in which you can go beyond the religious icons and include sacred items in your home decor to make it a spiritual sanctuary.


Statues Of Hindu Gods and Goddesses for Spiritual Decor


Murti or statues of gods and goddesses in India are a symbol of a deep connection to divine energy. People usually place a deity icon in their place of worship, on study tables, or in place of work to seek the blessing of the gods or goddesses before any auspicious event or before starting their day.

Indian sculptors make these statues with brass, bronze, copper, stone, or wood and give them traditional iconographies which makes these statues an artistic expression of devotion, perfect for elevating the energies of any space.

The statues of Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi are some of the popular Hindu icons used as spiritual decor in homes, so we will take a closer look at their significance and possible placement in a space.


Lord Ganesha Statues as Spiritual Decor: Removing Obstacles


The elephant-faced Hindu god is the first-revered (prathama-pujya devata) in Indian culture, thus his is one of the most popular found icons in homes. He is worshipped as the bringer of fortune and wisdom, and placing a Ganesha statue in a home is believed to be a simple way of creating a spiritually rich and successful life. From the Puja ghar to tables, from wall hangings to large statues, Ganesha’s presence in spaces is considered an auspicious one.

Some beloved forms of Ganesha for decor are-


Nritya Ganapati- Dancing Ganesha or Narthan Vinayaka. This aspect of Ganesha where the lord joyfully dances is considered a symbol of happiness and prosperity. With balance and rhythm in his body, Ganesha in a dancing pose creates a balance of art and divinity in decor.


Lakshmi-Ganesha-Saraswati- The trio of wealth, auspiciousness, and wisdom, these three deities, worshipped during the festival of Diwali are also a popular choice for spiritual decor. People pick aesthetically beautiful icons of Lakshmi-Ganesha-Saraswati for their living rooms or halls, where the presence of these deities is believed to yield positive results in life.


Chaturbhuja Ganesha on a Lotus or Throne- The most popularly worshipped form of Ganesha, where he is Chaturbhuja or four-armed, sitting on a blooming lotus or royal throne, is often sculpted as large wood or stone statues, preferred by many for their garden or large halls. This aspect of Ganesha is also liked for schools and offices, placed in the vestibule, as a benevolent image, and the first thing that people see when they enter the space.


Shiva Statues in Spiritual Home Decor: Feeling The Cosmic Energy


Shiva in Hinduism is the god of destruction, spiritual awakening, and the primordial energy of the Universe incarnate. He is ever-auspicious and all his aspects are valued by the devotees and lovers of Indian culture, due to the precision and beauty with which Indian artisans sculpt these icons.

Among the many forms of Shiva, his roopa as the dancing Lord or Nataraja is the most famous one for spiritual decor. Here are a few examples of popular Shiva statues for decor-


Nataraja: Made with bronze, an ancient material, the image of Shiva as Nataraja radiates positivity and life-giving energy which fills any space with a dynamism. Loved by the Chola kings, Nataraja statues today are one of the most iconic spiritual decor choices, placed in halls of homes, hotels, and schools. From several inches to gigantic dancing Shiva sculptures, the presence of Nataraja is transformative for any space.

Uma-Maheshwara- The togetherness of Shiva and Shakti, Mahadeva and Parvati captured in art, the figures titled “Uma-Maheshwara” represent the divine duo, embracing each other, sitting on a throne or the back of Nandi. These images according to ancient texts are auspicious beyond words as they bring conjugal bliss and familial warmth with them. Perfect for the space of newlywed couples, Uma-Maheshwara images infuse their ambiance with marital perfection.

Shiva-Parivaar- The divine family of Shiva coming together, with each powerful member embodying devotion and affection for the others, and the wild animals- mounts or Vahana of the members (Bull of Shiva, lion of Parvati, mouse of Ganesha, peacock of Karttikeya) despite being natural enemies, sitting in absolute harmony, is a powerful image for homes.

This form of Shiva as a householder accompanied by his family, is a symbol of perfection in interpersonal relationships within a kin, making it an auspicious and sacred element to have in your spiritual decor.

 

Goddess Statues in Spiritual Home Decor: Blessings of The Divine Feminine

 

Devi in Indian culture is the supreme mother, from whom the Universe emerges and finds an end. Her presence in any of her aspects- Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), Saraswati (goddess of wisdom), Parvati or Kali, or Durga (the warrior goddess) is auspicious and spiritually enriching for the people who inhabit the space.

Goddess Lakshmi- Standing or sitting icons of Lakshmi in the home, in the place of worship, living room, and place of work are fortunate divine decor pieces. Devi Lakshmi attracts luxury and wealth, and from the point of view of art and Vaastu, her images are a must-have for experiencing royalty in life.

Goddess Saraswati- The goddess of wisdom and learning, statues of goddess Saraswati as Veenavadini (playing her Veena), dancing goddess Saraswati, or standing sculptures of goddess Saraswati are popular iconographies of the goddess. Small icons of the goddess are placed in the Puja ghar, while magnificently large Saraswati statues are ideal for music rooms, theatres, and schools as spiritual decors.

Parvati or Uma- One of the most exquisite aspects of the wife of Shiva and the supreme goddess Parvati in Indian art is her form as Uma- presented in Chola bronzes and other materials as Shivakami or Shivakamasundari (standing Uma) and Bhogashakti (sitting Uma), the pinnacle of feminine beauty and charm. The standalone icons of Uma-Parvati are enchanting artworks, perfect for hall decor or central pieces in large spaces, defining and filling them with a sacred air.

Goddess Durga and Kali- For the devotees of the goddesses and those who seek her blessings in life, images of Durga and Kali in a place of worship or a space where one sits to meditate regularly, are a powerful and sacred presence. The warrior aspect of the primordial mother, these goddesses bring their guarding energies to life, and infuse the spaces they inhabit with positive vibrations.

 

Krishna Statues in Spiritual Home Decor: Feeling the Sweetness of His Flute

 

The youthful and powerful cowherd of Vrindavana, Sri Krishna in Hindu culture is the epitome of godliness. His images, crafted with traditional materials following the iconography of ancient artists, are perfection captured in metal and stone. Some statues of Krishna which can be added to your space as spiritual decors are-

Tribhanga Murari- the triple bent pose of Krishna, in which he stands with his flute on his lips and a sweet expression on his countenance, is one of the most appealing and popular icons of the Lord. This image of Krishna is not only a loved deity for the place of worship but also makes for a charming and artistic sculpture for adorning one’s space.

Jugal-Jodi- The images of Radha-Krishna together in Indian art are defined as “Jugal Jodi” (the youthful couple). According to traditions in aesthetics and Vaastu, these icons are symbols of love and devotion and are perfect for home decor. Krishna and Radha on the swing, also known as “Hindol Lila”, Krishna and Radha dancing, or the duo standing in a warm embrace are heart-warming icons, loved by many for creating a spiritually rich space.

Kaliya-Krishna- A young Krishna standing on the hood of the serpent Kaliya, while striking a joyful and dynamic pose is the imagery of Kaliya-Krishna, popularized by Chola artists, who molded the story in bronze. A vision to behold, Kaliya-Krishna or Kalinga-Krishna statues are prized pieces of decor, from offices to homes, representing the timeless beauty of Indian spiritual art.

Srinathji- The Lord of Nathadwara, Srinathji is the form of Krishna residing in the haveli-temple of Rajasthan, where he is worshipped as a living god. A form of Krishna popularized by the Picchwai art of Nathdwara, Srinathji is a famous aspect of Krishna, used in home decor or office decor, where the child-god is sculpted in metal, stones and wood and brings an auspicious appeal to the space.

 

Buddha Statues in Spiritual Decor: Embodying Awakening

 

A Universal symbol of spiritual awakening, Buddha in Indian art has one of the ancientmost and artistically enriched imageries. Developed over a period of time, the iconography of Buddha represents different stages of his exemplary life- from the beginning of his journey to his Mahaparinirvana.

Small icons of Buddha make for a perfect addition to the personal meditation space, place of work, or study table, serving as a constant reminder of mental stillness and a journey within, while large statues of Buddha made from durable stone and metal are iconic presences in garden and halls of homes and offices, becoming a source of spiritual wisdom made visible through the skills of Indian artists.

Meditating Buddha- Images of the Tathagata sitting in meditation are popular and powerful reminders of his journey towards self-realization. Crafted with trusted materials such as metal, stone, and wood that last for decades and ages, Buddha in meditation is a historic image, which can be a perfect spiritual decor in modern spaces.

Buddha Head and Busts- Similar to the meditating Buddha image, Buddha heads and busts are also a historic image, found from several ancient sites as pieces of sacred art. Capturing the serenity of Buddha’s mind, Buddha head and busts focus on his facial expressions, which always carry a calm beyond this world, making them a spiritually uplifting image in homes and offices.

Standing Buddha- A representation of stillness and movement, standing or walking Buddha images are another historically relevant piece of art, which has been cherished by collectors and devotees as a powerful presence of the enlightened one.

These statues of the Buddha capture the episode of Buddha taking the decision to leave his palace or to come out of dhyana (meditation) to take his steps towards spreading the message of Dhamma. Aesthetically appealing and spiritually profound, standing Buddha images make for a statement decor piece.

 

IN CONCLUSION

 

With the ever-changing trends of interior decoration and space curation, going back to the traditions is a way of getting in touch with the cultural roots of India’s rich heritage and welcoming the goodness of religion into your life. With a number of materials, styles, and themes presented in sacred art, you can be assured of finding a revered artwork for your space, which will enliven its aura and make every corner of your home, a residence of the divine.

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