The Ardhanarishvara of the Hindu pantheon is incomparable to any other culture in the world. The name is a portmanteau of the words ‘ardha-nari’, which means half-feminine, and ‘ishvara’, which is, in terms of Indian (sankhya and yoga) philosophy, the equivalent of the supreme deity in religion. As such, Ardhanarishvara is the confluence of the masculine and the feminine, an androgynous super-harmony in a culture that worships the union of the two as the precursor to life as we know it.
The forms of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati fuse together to form the Ardhanarishvara. To the right is the Nataraja roopa (form) of the Lord. His dreadlocks are flying in the wind from the momentum of His tandava and snakes raise their hoods from within those or as they wind themselves around His limbs. The left side is formed of the gorgeous Parvati. The torso is fuller and the long limbs, graciously clothed. She is in the throes of the serene lasya, the contrast as well as complement to His annihilative tandava. Note the aesthetic difference in either half of the prabhavali (aureole). On the Nataraja’s side is a ringlet of flames, symbolic of destruction, while on the Mother’s side a luscious sprig of vine and fruit, symbolic of fertility. Zoom in on the head, which has been carved with the same differentiation in detail both in the back and in the front.
From the features of the face to the lifelike stance of the digits, such a superbly executed murti is fit to be housed in the finest of modern temples.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist