tatkalsale.com: India's #1 Online Store for Wholesales & Retails
"Bliss 24 Karat Idols."
"The Bliss Store" sells spiritual items like crystals and tarot cards, and also some idols, but the materials are not specified as brass, marble, wood, or ceramic. These idols are described as:
Material: Primarily made of a base material and then layered with 24-karat pure gold leaf (99.99% purity). They are embellished with precious stones like natural rubies.
Craftsmanship: Handcrafted by artists to "perfection" and described as "a state of art 24k decor." The sculpting and gold leaf layering are a highly specialized process.
Deities: The brand offers idols of Hindu deities, including Ganesha, Shrinathji, Tirupati Balaji, and also Lord Mahavir from Jainism.
Characteristics: These idols are marketed as precious possessions and perfect gifts. The gold leaf application gives them a distinct, valuable, and permanent finish.
Wooden Idols: Wood carving is an ancient Indian art form, with traditions passed down through generations. The choice of wood and carving style varies widely across different regions of India.
Craftsmanship: Artisans use a variety of woods, including sandalwood, known for its fragrant and fine-grained texture; neem wood, which is durable and believed to have protective properties; and teak, which is strong and resistant to decay. Regional styles are distinct:
Ceramic and Terracotta Idols
Ceramic and terracotta (baked earth) art is one of the oldest forms of Indian craftsmanship, with a history spanning over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization.
Significance: Terracotta idols are seen as a direct connection to the earth. They are often used for temporary rituals and festivals, such as Ganesha Chaturthi, and are immersed in water at the end of the festival as an eco-friendly way of returning the deity to nature.
Indian idols are crafted from a variety of materials, each with its own unique history, spiritual significance, and aesthetic appeal. The choice of material often reflects regional traditions and the specific qualities attributed to the deities themselves.
Brass Idols: Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has a long and rich history in Indian idol making, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. It is prized for its durability, malleability, and golden, lustrous appearance, which is associated with divine energy and prosperity.
Craftsmanship: Brass idols are often created using the ancient "lost-wax casting" method, a detailed and intricate process where a wax model is covered in clay and then heated, allowing the wax to melt away and molten brass to fill the mold. This technique results in a finely detailed, solid metal sculpture.
Significance: The strength of brass is seen to reflect the enduring power of the deities it represents. Brass idols are a common feature in both home puja rooms and temples and are considered auspicious for bringing positive energy and blessings.
Marble Idols
Marble is highly revered for its pure white color, smooth texture, and elegant finish. It has been a favored medium for sculpture in India for centuries, with the craft reaching its peak under various empires.
Craftsmanship: The city of Jaipur in Rajasthan is renowned as the hub of marble idol carving. Artisans meticulously chisel the stone, often using a single block of high-quality Makrana marble (the same marble used for the Taj Mahal) to create lifelike and majestic figures. The idols are then polished to a high sheen and often painted with vibrant colors and gold foil to highlight features like eyes, lips, and jewelry.
Significance: Marble is considered a pure and divine material, and idols made from it are believed to bring good fortune and a sense of tranquility. They are particularly popular for home altars due to their graceful and serene appearance.