There is a multitude of symbolism when it comes to the image of the serpent in Hinduism. From Sheshanaga to Kaliya to the concept of the kundalini and the iconography of Maharshi Patanjali, the unassuming, limbless reptile bears many meanings.
In the Lord Ganesha murti that you see on this page, the artisan has tried to capture the multifaceted significance of the serpent by featuring it in the iconography of the beloved son of Shiva.
It is no wonder because in this composition the snake, without which Lord Shiva’s iconography is hardly ever complete, is indicative of Ganesha’s parentage.
The widely adored baala-deva (child-deity), with His plump arms and the pot-shaped belly, dances like a child on the head of the five-hooded snake. With the sashes from His girdle flying about Him, He is at once reminiscent of Nataraja and Krishna. Yet, the snake beneath His feet is also the Lord Sheshanaga.
The sixth ‘hood’ of Kaaliya is the torso of the divine Seshanaga, the serpent within whose coils rests the great Lord Vishnu Himself. Crowned and adorned in keeping with the Hindu deva iconography, He joins His hands in the namaskaram mudra, in striking resemblance to the form and stance of Maharshi Patanjali.
This murti bears the hallmarks of traditional South Indian art and iconography. The style of adornments on the Lord’s body. The upturned lotus pedestal on a layered, multi-hedral plinth. The spikes on either side of it with which the work may be moved about.
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.
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