Dharma-Artha-kama-moksha (virtue, finances, pleasure, liberation) - these are the four Purusharthas or pursuits of a person, in Hinduism. Goddess Lakshmi’s four hands, the most common attributes attached to her iconography, represent these four life goals. It is well established that in the pursuit of any of the above-mentioned goals, Ma Lakshmi’s Kripa (regards) is required by the devotee. La

The episode of the battle of the great goddess and the demon Raktabija as mentioned in the Vamana Purana describes the powerful expansions of the Adi-Shakti, which took the form of warring goddesses, each one of them originating from the other, assisting the Adi Devi Durga in slaying the demon. These goddesses came to be known as Sapta-Matrikas, “seven mothers”, and are associated with the mal

Harihara is a lesser-known deity from the Hindu pantheon. He emerges from the amalgamation of Vishnu and Shiva, the preserver and destroyer of the trinity right after Brahma the creator. The sublime serenity of Vishnu meets the fierce stance of Shiva in this composite deity. A number of defining contrasts characterise this composition. Shiva's jaatmukuta to Vishnu's golden crown; Shiva&#

This elaborate brass sculpture is a variation of the Goddess Kali iconography, and hers is a distinct iconography. Her stance is far from the unassuming body language of Indian devices; she is clad in very little by way of clothing and shringar; and there is ferocity about her composure, which matches the weapons she wields in her numerous hands. This one is alone Goddess Kali's composition,

Maryada Purushottam Rama has been the 18th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. When Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita, Lakshaman, and his foremost Sevak-bhakt Hanuman after killing Ravana & affecting his 14yr-Vanwas, his Rajyabhishek was solemnized and crowned as the Maharaja of Ayodhya. These mesmerising Shri Rama Durbar brass statues of Sri Ram – Lakshman- Janki & Bhakt Hanuman Statue are in

Shadakshari Lokeshvara, the supreme soul (‘ishvara’) of the realm of existence (‘loka’) wherein it thrives, a manifestation of the six (‘shad’) syllables (‘akshara’) of om-mani-Padme-hm, is a form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He is mentioned in the sixth form of the Sadhanamala. The name Chenrezig has its origin in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. A solemn, bitone sculpture o

Nataraja is the most popular representation of the Hindu God Shiva. In Sanskrit, Nata means dance and raja means Lord. Shiva, therefore, is the 'King of Dancers'. To understand the concept of Nataraja we have to understand the idea of dance itself. Like yoga, dance induces trance, ecstasy, and the experience of the divine. In India consequently, dance has flourished with the terrific aus

Garuda 'the devourer' is the mythical 'Lord of birds' in both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In the Hindu Puranic legends, Garuda is the son of Kashyapa and Vinata. He is said to have emerged, fully grown, from an egg, after incubating for five hundred years. Garuda has always been the sworn enemy of snakes and nagas. The archetypal legend of the enmity that exists between

Beneath a Kirtimukham prabhavali (aureole), stands the gentle Lord Ganesha. The superb proportions of Kirtimukham contrast sharply with the chubby child’s form of the standing Ganesha idol. So does the diametric variation in the expressions - the former is a paragon of all-consuming ferocity, while the latter is widely worshipped for its childlike gentleness. The Lord Ganesha statue that you see

As the cowherd youth recently arrived in Vrindavan, the effect Krishna had on the hearts of the cows and the milkmaids alike is known and sung about to this day. And it was not just His youth and handsomeness and the charm of His demeanor that brought Vrindavan thus to life. His way with the flute is the stuff of legends. In fact, myth has it that His music drew the simple-hearted to Himself l

This three feet tall gold-like glittering brass statue, a highly accomplished example of the art of metal casting, represents Krishna in flute-playing Tribhanga three-curved form. As if overwhelmed by the melody pouring from his flute a phenomenon that ears fail to experience but whose sweet fragrance the eyes savor, the entire image appears to burst into a divine rapture. The smile, which his cut

Lord Hanuman is known to be a popular symbol of strength and selfless devotee of Lord Rama in Hinduism. It is said that he is the only God who is still present on Earth in various forms as per Sita’s blessing of being there for his devotees forever. The sculptor has kept up to the key characteristics of Lord Hanuman of devotion, courage, and self-discipline while carving out this sculpture, as c

This exceptionally ornate brass statue is an example of highly balanced anatomy with delightfully distributed right and left – a strange symmetry with the center unable to contain its line and mincing to the figure’s overall rhythm: the navel and abdomen tilting to the left, and the little inflated right breast, to further right, represents Lord Ganesha in a posture as if commanding and assuri

The image of the Sheshashayi Vishnu induces great calm and stability in the mind of the devotee. Shesha is the name of the naga (snake) on whose coils the Lord lies in sleep, which is the Sanskrit word for 'end'; 'shayi' in Sanskrit stands for one who is lain down. It is the volatile moment between destruction and re-projection, the transitional state between two cycles of time

Lord Gautama Buddha is believed to be the sole founder of Buddhism and his teachings are entirely concerned towards defining a path free of worldly pleasures and liberating sentient beings from suffering. The bliss that you perceive as you look at the face of this Buddha sculpture makes you feel in heaven; the superfine carvings of his sharp nose, the satisfactory smiling curve of the lips

With his legendary flute in hand, the Supreme Lord Krishna stands cast in bronze, his graceful pose with his legs crossed acting as a hallmark to the elaborate carvings of the Hoysala architecture. In the form of Venugopal, Lord Krishna becomes the protector of cows and the owner of the flute Venu. His face is at utter peace and serenity as he plays his flute, harmonious notes pleasing to the ears

The embodiment of sacrifice and the savior of Earth, Vishnu’s third avatar, Varaha, is presented in a highly charged form in this ‘panchaloha’ bronze sculptural image, along with his consort Varahi, or the Earth goddess Bhudevi. This visual presentation is also symbolic of what Hinduism today celebrates as Varaha Jayanti, which marks the mythological celebration of Varaha defeating Hiranyaks

A seated Green Tara murti of substantial proportions. Queen of the Buddhist heavens, the epitome of karuna (compassion), metta (natural kindness), and shunyata (nothingness), She is a bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition and a buddha in Vajrayana. On a petal-embossed throne, She sits, with the right foot cradled by a minuscule bloom in the foreground.n This is a signature aspect of the iconograph

Lord Buddha hailed from a royal family, of the Shakya clan, hailing from the modern Indo-Nepal border. As a young man, he renounced his aristocratic heritage and embraced the life of an ascetic beggar. Buddha understood the fallacies of materialistic attachments. He taught to his followers that this attachment was the root of all suffering. It's notable however that Buddha never advocated com

This remarkable sculpture is made of special bronze from Swamimalai, a town in an Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The ancient technique by which it is made is called as Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-wax process), which is the specialty of the heritage of South Indian sculptors. Sri Vallabha Ganapati, also known as Maha Vallabha Ganapati is one among the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha. The leader of the Ganas of

Durga-Mahishasurmardini, the Hindu mother goddess who battles the demonic forces and rescues her children is a popular deity not just in India, but in the rest of South Asia as well. Mingling with the local legends and beliefs, Maa Durga took new, magnificent forms, all the while remaining the protector mother. One such form of the great-goddess is known as Bathari Durga or Chandi in the island na

Feather Statue ~

Much has been written about Ganesha. As Hindu dharma's most adorable boy-deity, He has inspired countless artisans and painters, and poets across the subcontinent since time immemorial; and how could He not? So overcome by love are His devotees - and so widespread His followers - that His form is ubiquitous on the streets, inside homes, and across commercial establishments in India. This is b

It is not just His childlike innocence that makes Ganesha one of the most popular deities of the Indian pantheon. The adorable form of a chubby little boy, His generosity with blessings and boons, and that unfailing love of laddoos - so much so that His iconography is incomplete without a bunch of the delectable Indian sweetmeat in the picture - endear Him to His devotees. The fateful Samudra-Mant

Balaji is considered Lord Vishnu's Kaliyug Avatar. Lord Tirupati Balaji is believed to be so powerful that mere sight of the idol is enough to emancipate a man from a lifetime of suffering. Lord Venkateshwara Statue is a full four-armed representation of Vishnu. But only two are visible from the front. Lord Balaji is shown having a U shaped tilak on his forehead which is the signature style t