Lakshmi: The Bringer of wealth
Lakshmi, also called Laxmi, is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, luxury, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness. She holds the promise of material fulfillment and contentment. She is described as restless, whimsical yet maternal, with her arms raised to bless and to grant her blessings.
The Goddess Lakshmi occupies an important place in the Hindu pantheon of Gods. As the consort of Lord Vishnu, she is one of the most influential deities and is worshipped across the world by believers. According to legend, she emerged when the devas and asuras were in the midst of churning the divine ocean to gain Amrut, the divine nectar. As she emerged, she carried a garland and placed it on Lord Vishnu, denoting him as her divine consort and helping him maintain the universe’s wealth.
There are several forms in which the Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. A common representation of her is at the feet of her divine consort, Lord Vishnu, massaging his feet as they both relax on the ocean of divine bliss. She is depicted as an immensely beautiful woman whose four hands represent the four ends of life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The hands at the back hold lotus buds to signify the purity of the soul. The right front hand provides blessings while the left front hand has gold coins falling from it, which provides wealth and prosperity to the devotees.
Images of Lakshmi started appearing around the third century BC in sculptures found in Kausambi, in north India, and on coins issued during the reign of the Gupta dynasty around the fourth century AD. She became a favourite of kings as more and more people believed she was the bestower of power, wealth and sovereignty. Separate shrines to Lakshmi within the precincts of Vishnu temples may have been built as early as the seventh century; such shrines were definitely in existence by the 10th century AD.
Lakshmi is the divine power that transforms dreams into reality. She is prakriti, the perfect creation: self-sustaining, self-contained Nature. She is maya, the delightful delusion, the dream-like expression of divinity that makes life comprehensible, hence worth living. She is shakti, energy, boundless and bountiful. To worship her is to rejoice in the wonders of life.
At Artisanscrest, our skilled team of artisans have created several tributes to this divine deity in the form of beautiful paintings, exquisite carvings and magnificent sculptures in stone and other materials. Explore our range of products hailing the divinity of the Goddess Lakshmi or get in touch with us to create your own, special artifact. Contact us and let us bring the Goddess home to you.
Shiva - Har Har Mahadev
Out of the stories of the holy trinity of Hinduism, Brahma is renowned for his wisdom, Vishnu for his desire to seek balance in this world. However, stories of the third and most terrifying member of the Hindu holy trinity, Shiva are frequently filled with instances of his anger and wrath, thus earning him the name of the God of Destruction.
According to mythology, Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction, but spiritually, the worship of Shiva is also said to be positive in the sense of destroying the go and the negative characteristics within us, thus allowing us to let go of the negativity and then go ahead and make a change in our lives.
Shiva is best known for his anger – he is said to have hacked off the head of his son Ganesha when the youngster denied him entry to the chamber where his mother was bathing. Shiva is also said to have reduced Kama Deva, the god of love, into ash by opening his third eye and turning it on him. Now, while his anger is one of the more recognizeable characteristics of this God, he is also known for his benevolence and kindness to his devotees, rewarding those who worhip him with devotion and unwavering focus. The demon king of Lanka, Ravana was said to have received countless boons at the hands of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the intense tapasya Ravana went through in order to be blessed with a vision of him.
The actual image of Shiva is also uniquely different from other deities: his hair is piled high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the river Ganges tumbling from his hair. Around his neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini, the spiritual energy within life. He holds a trident in his left hand, in which is bound the 'damroo' (small leather drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears the 'Rudraksha' beads, and his whole body is smeared with ash. Shiva is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and composed disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi, decked in garlands. Iconically, he is worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga, a round stone which can be found in Shiva temples everywhere and is thought to be a representation of the raw sexual power of Shiva.
On artisanscrest.com, we have an extensive range of products related to different depictions of Lord Shiva: as the destroyer, as the God who unleashes the cosmic dance which signals the end of the world and also the softer, family man who rests on Mount Kailash with his wife Parvati and his children, Ganesha and Karthikeya.
Our dedicated team of artisans is on hand to work with you and co-create your very own exclusive masterpiece so get in touch with us and create your very own, unique piece of artistic history and tradition.
The Dos and Don’t’s while placing Buddha Statues as Home Decor
Peace, tranquility, harmony and balance. Those are words often associated with the Buddhism, and thus the Buddha's likeness has become a popular presence in many homes as a centerpiece or accessory, even amongst non-believers.
While sometimes controversial, in that Buddha’s likeness has been used in several items of merchandising which can be seen as disrespectful, most buyers seek to honour the founder of Buddhism and his teachings and beliefs by placing these statues in strategic locations around their home in order to spread positive energy and peace and tranquility. Now, before purchasing and placing a Buddha statue in the home, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Some of these are general principles that involve good taste and avoiding disrespect. A few have to do with using Buddha statues to enhance the balance of chi, or energy, in the home using the science of Feng Shui.
Placing a Buddha statue in a part of the home that enjoys good energy already is the most auspicious choice. A beautiful vista or restful, uncluttered room has better chi than one confronted by jutting angles or noxious outdoor lights at night or loud street noise through a window. Views of electrical wires, large bridges, or looming high rise buildings could also be associated with disruptive chi and can undermine the effect of placing a Buddha in the room.
Never place a Buddha statue on the floor or near the soles of your shoes; this is not appropriate and may be disrespectful. Instead, use a table or altar to display the statue. It is a good idea to place a piece of red paper under the Buddha to add a symbol of luck to an altar placement. As an alternative, you can get a Buddha as a canvas art painting and hang it on the wall.
It is also disrespectful to store a decorative Buddha figure in a safe or vault. It is acceptable to keep a Buddha on the shelf with closing doors, however. Also keep it away from messy or unkempt parts of the home, especially the bathroom.
Great locations for a Buddha figurine include the study or office reception desk, in your meditation garden, or where yoga is practiced. If a decorative Buddha figure is placed in a car, it should face forward. In the garden, the statue should face the home to bring abundance and prosperity. Indoors, keep the statue facing into the room unless it is facing the main entrance from another angle, to block negative energy and greet visitors.
The material of the statue also matters in its placement. The compass directions east and west are associated with wood and metal, respectively. A wood statue in the metal area of the home or vice versa can cause a sense of discord.
The position of the Buddha’s hands is also significant. If the Buddha is seated with hands forming an oval, this symbolizes inward attention or meditation and can be placed in a Zen garden facing east. If the Buddha holds one hand upward and one hand downward, this depicts a blessing of compassion and fearlessness. The blessing Buddha should be placed in an area that has weak chi or depleted energy.
If the Buddha holds both hands in front of his heart with the index fingers touching the thumb, this represents the sharing of knowledge and would be well placed in a study or den. By touching his thumb with the ring finger, he attracts wealth and good fortune and thus should be placed in the southeast area of the home.
Our dedicated team of artisans has created many masterpieces inspired by the Buddha and his teachings. Featuring the Lord Buddha in a variety of poses across different mediums, these exquisitely designed artifacts stay true to the fabled depictions of the Buddha and serve as representations of his teachings.
At Artisanscrest.com, we invite you to work with our team of dedicated craftsmen to customize your own little piece of tradition. Get in touch with us and co-create a masterpiece in an art form that has endured the test of time.
Radha and Krishna – An Eternal Love story
“It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha enchants even him.” This statement sums up one of the more eternal love stories of Hindu mythology, one that has inspired countless writers, scholars and artisans to create epic masterpieces on this tale of divine love and bonding under the picturesque skies of Gokul.
Radha, as a figure is considered one of the most elusive when it comes to Indian literature; a few works, before Jayadeva Goswami’s Gita Govinda, made mentions to her in obscure passages or songs, while several ancient texts do not even mention her. The relationship of Radha and Krishna thus forms the basis of not only a great love story, but also a great mystery and a topic of debate as many differing views have been raised about Radha and the exact nature of her relationship with Lord Krishna.
Jayadeva Goswami’s epic poem, Gita Govinda brought the theme of the love story of Radha and Krishna into the larger consciousness and made this story celebrated throughout India. In Vaishnava devotional or Bhakti traditions of Hinduism that focus on Krishna, Radha is revered as the ‘Shakti’, the female force and the personification of the divine feminine creator. Radha is the most important Gopi in the Raas Leela and her importance, over the other gopis is highlighted by placing her on the same pedestal as Lord Krishna and being worshipped with the same fervor and devotion. The love between Krishna and Radha was seen as pure, bound by a deeper and stronger spiritual connection and a sense of devotion that makes this story inspirational for the generations of artisans who have created wonderful tributes in sculpture, song, prose, paintings and many other creative expressions.
Artistic depictions of Radha and Krishna traditionally have had them accompanied by the gopis. This artistic device served to remind the audience of not only the love that each Gopi felt for Krishna, but to also establish Radha’s superiority by placing her above them. Lord Krishna is traditionally depicted as being as enamored of Radha as the milkmaids are of him.
This timeless tale of divine bonding is a favorite theme among our dedicated team of artisans, with artisanscrest.com showcasing tributes to Lord Krishna and Radha in the form of beautiful Pattachitra Paintings, intricately carved statues and masterfully created woodworks. Each of these masterpieces is a tribute to the tale of timeless, eternal and beautiful love.
At Artisanscrest.com, we invite you to work with our team of dedicated craftsmen to customize your own little piece of tradition. Get in touch with us and co-create a masterpiece in an art form that has endured the test of time.
All About Golden Grass
In this day and age of technological innovations and modern inventions, creating exquisite works of art purely by hand is awe-inspiring. However, making complex processes and designs look emphaticlly simple while retaining the eye for detail and delicate, precise handiwork to make a flawless finished product has always been a hallmark of the famed Golden Grass craftsmen of India. Getting its name from the material used to create these masterpieces, Golden Grass is the craft of moulding and shaping dried grass, native to the swampy areas into colourful items for decorative and regular usage. Uniquely, this form of art owes its preservation more to women artisans who have made sure that this art form endures, training and passing on the wisdom and the skills onto future generations.
The process of converting the grass from raw material into finished goods is an intricate and interesting process. The grass is first cut from near its base and then dried. The upper portion of the flowering stem is then discarded. The remaining portion is finely sliced and shaved and used for making the products. These products were originally sold at the weekly markets or by door to door sellers, but over time, their popularity has since seen them reach the houses of collectors and art lovers across the globe.
Golden grass products, are often utilitarian as well as ornamental. The women make containers to store grain, rice, and lentils, boxes to keep their clothes and jewellery, baskets to store sweets and keep betel leaf, and containers to store their spices. Toys are made for the children, while the women make bangles for themselves. Coasters, hand-held fans, and bowls and boxes of all types and sizes, mobiles, and three-dimensional figures are made for urban markets, while figures of deities are crafted for religious festivals. Each item is not only colourful but also individual. Colours are used in dramatic contrast and each product reflects the creative impulse of its maker. Two-dimensional images of birds and animals, trees, and figures are also beautifully crafted.
Artisanscrest has a unique range of products exquisitely made by our exclusive team of skilled and dedicated Golden Grass craftsmen; from pen stands to jewellery boxes, our range of golden grass products are both utilitarian and artistic, adding a touch of culture and heritage into your home.
Deepasthambhams – Bringing light to the world
Have you ever looked at an ornately carved lamp in a Kerala hous? With its intricate craftsmanship and bright golden sheen, these lamps occupy the pride of place in the households of God’s own country. What’s their story? Where do they come from? How have they established their place in Kerala’s artistic and spiritual story?
These ‘Pillars of Light’, known throughout the world as Kerala Lamps are integral to several tiruals and ceremonies in Hindu families in Kerala. Also known as Nilavilakku for the Malyalam words Nilam or floor or the ground and Vilakku, meaning lamp, this lamp is a part of daily tradition at home. Every morning as the sun rises, the young girls of the house bring the lamps to the verandah, accompanied by prayers. The same procedure is repeated in the evening, signifying the end of the day and accompanied by prayers to protect the house.
The Nilavilakku is made out of bronze and brass and is characterized by the attention to detail on each piece. The expert craftsmen of Kerala take special pride in customizing each Nilavilakku, showcasing their artistic vision and attention to detail through these exquisite works of art and spirituality. The Nilavilakkus use cotton wicks which are then doused in oil and lit, spreading light and warmth throughout the house.
The appeal of Nilavilakkus has transcended organized religions: with the advent of Christianity in kerala, the custom of lighting these pillars of light has also become popular among the homes and churches of the Saint Thomas Christians, also known as Syrian Christians. Syrian Christian art forms like the Margamkali dance and the marital dance of Parichamuttakali are performed around the Nilavilakkus. These exquisite lamps can also be found in some mosques like the Ponnani Al Maqtoom Juma Masjid and Jarams or holy caves across Kerala.
Artisanscrest’s exclusive community of Kerala artisans has created several customized Nilavilakkus, unique creations for each individual customer. These ornate lamps add a touch of class and opulence to your home while showcasing the customer’s discernment and spreading warmth and light throughout the house.
Get in touch with us and collaborate along with our skilled team of artisans to co-create your own little piece of Indian art history and tradition.
Why are Ganeshas considered so auspicious?
Among the vast pantheon of Indian gods, Lord Ganesha occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of devotees across the globe. The elephant headed son of Shiva, Ganesha is revered for his wit, intellect, his patronage for the arts and also his benevolence towards his devotees. Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and bestows boons of prosperity and success to those who believe. It is considered auspicious to pray to Ganesha to bless new enterprises or break down obstacles in our lives, and devotees of Ganesha are known to trek for miles to Ganesha temples to seek the God’s blessings upon their new enterprise and lives.
Today, we look at the various artistic representations of Ganesha. Why do so many people have statues of Ganesha in their homes? What is the best place to keep them? What is the spiritual significance of having a Ganesha idol, sculpture or painting in the house?
Most common depictions of Ganesha feature Ganesha with his trunk turning left. The trunk turned to the left side signifies the cooling power of the ida naadi, the cosmic force that invokes the moon and is associated with the mighty Ganges river. The trunk turning left signifies the direction of victory and success. The trunk turning left symbolizes victory, prosperity and is also considered to be a form of paying respects to Ganesha’s mother, the Goddess Parvathi. Householders commonly purchase Ganesha idols or paintings with the trunk turning left as they are thought to spread peace, harmony and prosperity throughout the house.
Some depictions of Ganesha also depict him with the trunk turning to the right. The trunk curving to the right stands for salvation or Moksha. These idols are generally found in temples and other places of worship, as per Vedic norms and traditions.
A couple of points to remember when installing a Ganesha statue in the house:
- The best place to place a Ganesha idol or painting in your house is in the Northeast corner of the house
- You can also place the Ganesha idols in the East or Western directions of the house in a way that should be visible
- Never place the Ganesha idol in the southern direction of the house
- Never place the Ganesha idol near toilets or washrooms as it could divert negative energies to the pious atmosphere
- Never place the idols under a stair case
Avoid placing the Ganesha idols in the bedroom, but if there are no suitable other places in the house, keep the idol in the north eastern corner of the room and avoid pointing your feet towards it.
Our growing community of skilled artisans have created several exquisite masterpieces in tribute to this beloved, fun-loving god across various mediums, each piece a unique tribute to his benevolence. From intricately carved statues in sandstone, chalkstone, metal, wood and other mediums to beautifully created Pattachitra paintings, our range of Ganesha products take care to depict Ganesha in all his roles and honour the wit, the humour and the reverence that this beloved deity evokes in all of us.
These exquisite masterpieces can also be custom-made as per your unique requirements. Get in touch with us and collaborate along with our skilled team of artisans to co-create your own little piece of Indian art history and tradition.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Mahabharata is among the great Indian epics and is considered to be one of the world’s largest epic stories. The story of warfare, intrigue and family drama has captivated casual readers and literary scholars for thousands of years and continues to do so. A significant portion of the book describes the war of Kurukshetra between the Pandavas and the Kauravas to settle the issue of who will rule the kingdom. The 5 Pandava brothers and their allies faced up against the armies of their brother, Duryodhana, and his allies, many of whom were mentors and teachers to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
At the start of the war, Arjuna, the great Pandava hero looks at the gathered Karava hordes, seeing among them familiar faces, beloved family members, revered teachers. Seeing these familiar faces and struck by the realization that he has to kill many people whom he loves and respects, Arjuna wilts and breaks down in his chariot, casting aside his weapons and sitting down in deep despair. Seeing this, Lord Krishna, his charioteer stands up and delivers a sermon, reminding Arjuna of his duty as a warrior and the need to establish Dharma. This discourse has gained fame as the Bhagavad Gita and has inspired scholars and believers through the ages. The Bhagavad Gita’s call for selfless action inspired many of the leaders of the Indian Independence movement, including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, while Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as M.K Gandhi is said to have referred to the Gita as his spiritual dictionary.
The Bhagavad Gita is treated as one of the key texts for the Vedantha, and remains one of the key books in world spiritualism. Because of it’s epic status, the telling of the Gita has inspired some epic masterpieces in sculpture, painting and woodwork and remains a staple in most places of learning and centres of spirituality. Classical depictions of the ‘Telling of the Bhagavad Gita’, also known as the ‘Gita Saar’, depict the scene from the battle of Kurukshetra, with Krishna launching into his sermon while Arjuna listens in rapt attention. Special attention is paid to Krishna’s divinity as he expounds on one of the epochal Indian spiritual texts, while Arjuna is portrayed as the lost soul seeking enlightenment. Some other depictions also include Arjuna at the feet of Lord Krishna, taking his blessings just before he picks up his bow and heads back into battle.
At Artisanscrest.com, our team of trained artisans works exclusively with the buyers to customize their requests in terms of size, material and art form. Get in touch with us and co-create your own masterpiece, straight from the pages of the great Indian artistic tradition.
Ganesha: The Revered and Beloved Indian God
Among the vast pantheon of Indian gods, Lord Ganesha occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of devotees across the globe. The elephant headed son of Shiva, Ganesha is revered for his wit, intellect, his patronage for the arts and also his benevolence towards his devotees. Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and bestows boons of prosperity and success to those who believe. It is considered auspicious to pray to Ganesha to bless new enterprises or break down obstacles in our lives, and devotees of Ganesha are known to trek for miles to Ganesha temples to seek the God’s blessings upon their new enterprise and lives.
Given his unique position as the patron saint of the arts, Lord Ganesha has inspired craftsmen right from ancient times to pay tribute to him with exquisite masterpieces honouring the various sides to his personality. The most common depictions of Ganesha feature him seated upon his trusted rat, his companion and mount, with his trunk turned left and holding a sweet, usually a laddoo. These depictions are spiritually significant; the trunk turning left symbolizes the cooling power of the ida naadi, the force that invokes the moon and is associated with the mighty Ganges river. The sweet ball is seen to represent the spiritual and material prosperity that Ganesha bestows upon his devotees. Some representations of Ganesha also depict the trunk turning to the right; this signifies Ganesha’s position as the giver of boons, vernacularly known as Siddhis, thus giving rise to Ganesha’s moniker of Siddhivinayaka.
Our growing community of skilled artisans have created several exquisite masterpieces in tribute to this beloved, fun-loving god across various mediums, each piece a unique tribute to his benevolence. From intricately carved statues in sandstone, chalkstone, metal, wood and other mediums to beautifully created Pattachitra paintings, our range of Ganesha products take care to depict Ganesha in all his roles and honour the wit, the humour and the reverence that this beloved deity evokes in all of us.
These exquisite masterpieces can also be custom-made as per your unique requirements. Get in touch with us and collaborate along with our skilled team of artisans to co-create your own little piece of Indian art history and tradition.
Hanuman: The Loyal
Most Hindu children grow up being told stories of Lord Hanuman. Sugriva’s able minister. Lord Rama’s devoted and most trusted ally. A Chiranjeevi – an immortal being who will remain alive on this earth through the Kali Yuga until its very end. Bheema’s elder brother. Hanuman is a central figure in the great Indian epic, the Ramayana and makes a pivotal appearance in the other great epic, the Mahabharata. The son of Vayu and Anjana, Anjaneya (son of Anjana), as he is sometimes known, played a main role in Rama’s war against Ravana, the king of the Asuras at their stronghold of Lanka.
The son of the wind god Vaayu, Hanuman learned under the sun god, Surya and came to be an able minister in the court of the Vanara king, Sugriva. He oversaw the alliance between Lord Rama and the Vanar Sena and came to be Rama’s most dependable ally on the battlefield. It was Hanuman who leapt through the air and landed on Lanka to find the Lady Sita and comfort her. It was Hanuman who fought bravely by the side of Rama and Lakshmana, it was Hanuman who carried a mountain with the divine Sanjivani herb to revive Lakshmana after he was felled in battle. It was Hanuman who tore open his chest to reveal Lord Rama and Lady Sita within as proof of his devotion, and it was Hanuman who requested that he be made immortal so that he could stay on this earth as long as the name Rama was spoken of in reverence. It was Hanuman who taught the arrogant Bheema a lesson in humility and it was Hanuman, in the form of a flag who shielded Arjuna’s chariot from the many celestial weapons fired upon it during the legendary Kurukshetra War.
Hanuman is the embodiment of loyalty and steadfast devotion through all depictions across Hindu mythology and is celebrated for these very qualities. He is also worshipped by wrestlers for his strength, by Shaiva ascetics for his deep reverence and unshakeable faith and by countless others who look upon Hanuman to protect their home and their near and dear ones. Sculptures of Hanuman are frequently installed in temples of avataars of Vishnu and are believed to keep the surroundings free of negativity and evil beings. His rock cut idols are found among all the Maratha forts in Maharashtra, who worshipped him as the God of strength, luck and invincibility. A hanuman statue or painting is said to spread calm, faith and protection throughout the house and is a frequently sought after artifact.
Our trained team of artisans and master craftsmen have created several tributes to Lord Hanuman, depicting various aspects of his personality; from the protector of the loyal to the all powerful Anjaneya, each piece is a unique tribute to this beloved, loyal and steadfast God.
Our products can be custommade as per your unique requirements. Get in touch with us and collaborate with our exclusive team of artisans to co-create your own unique piece of Indian art tradition and culture.