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MADE IN INDIA.

8" Brass Shodash Upachara - Doll

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Name: 8" Brass Shodash Upachara - Doll
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIT347
Price: 75.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$64.50

$86

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

This Shodasha Upchara lamp is often referred to as the Kakada Aarti lamp. It is crafted of high-quality brass and features an arch beneath or in front of which a little figure on a small platform is placed. This lamp could have a figure of a maiden, most likely Deepalakshmi. The tubes linked to the back side of the arch or holes cut in the ridge are intended to contain thick cotton wicks drenched in fuel, which are lighted soon before the ritual and extinguished immediately after. It also serves as a Kakada lamp, which is utilized during the early morning Kakada aarti, which includes a devotional song in the local vernacular. The peculiar design of the lamp is an indication of the flaming arch that was most prevalent during the 16th-century Nayaka period.

Protective Lacquer Coating

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Specifications

	MIT347
	Brass
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 8 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 400 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 9 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodying Devotion and Sacred Ritual

This exquisite piece is more than just an object; it is a conduit for devotion, designed to enhance the sacred rituals and spiritual practices that form the heart of many traditions. Crafted from lustrous brass, it emanates an aura of timeless elegance and enduring sanctity. The intricate detailing and the figure at its center evoke a sense of profound respect and deep reverence, making it a focal point for prayer, meditation, and the performance of *upacharas* – the traditional offerings of service and respect to deities.

The Significance of Shodash Upachara

In Hindu tradition, *Shodash Upachara* refers to the sixteen essential services or offerings made during the worship of a deity. These offerings encompass a range of symbolic acts, from welcoming the divine presence to bathing, clothing, offering food, and finally bidding farewell. This brass artifact beautifully encapsulates the spirit of these sixteen acts. The central figure, often representing the deity or a devotee in prayer, is framed by elements that suggest the sacred space and the tools of worship. The inclusion of bells, traditionally used to announce the commencement of puja and to invoke divine attention, further amplifies its ritualistic significance.

A Touch of Divine Grace

The tradition of invoking the divine and offering worship dates back to the Vedic period. The *Rigveda* itself speaks of myriad forms of worship and devotion. The practice of adorning altars with sacred objects and symbols is deeply rooted in this ancient heritage. This brass artifact, with its graceful form and symbolic representation, serves as a beautiful embodiment of this ancestral connection. It can be placed on an altar or puja table, becoming a visual anchor for devotion. The very act of placing it in a sacred space is an offering in itself, symbolizing the desire to bring divine grace and blessings into one's home and life. The smooth, polished brass reflects light, creating a warm and inviting ambiance conducive to spiritual reflection.

Craftsmanship and Cultural Resonance

The use of brass in religious artifacts is significant. It is considered a pure metal, associated with the gods and revered for its durability and lustrous appearance, which is believed to amplify spiritual energy. This piece showcases skilled craftsmanship, with each detail meticulously rendered. The curvature of the overhead arch, reminiscent of temple gateways or celestial halos, adds a layer of artistic and symbolic depth. The overall design speaks to a rich cultural heritage, where art and spirituality are intricately interwoven. Whether used in daily puja or for special ceremonies, this brass *Shodash Upachara* artifact is a powerful reminder of the enduring beauty and profound meaning found in devotional practices.

The Power of Light: Understanding the Role of Oil Lamps in

Hinduism Hinduism is a boon to human society for it guides everyone to follow their Dharma and rise above the material concept of life. Hinduism is also known as “Sanatan Dharma”. These are Sanskrit terms in which Sanatan means “eternal” and Dharma means “Intrinsic nature or occupation”. Thus it deals with the intrinsic nature or the real identity of the living entities; that which can never be taken away from them. The principles of Hinduism are given in the Vedic literature or scriptures that are considered “Apaurusheya”; they have not been written by any ordinary person but have been compiled by Vyasadev, the literary incarnation of the Supreme Lord Krishna. The word “Veda” means complete knowledge, both material and spiritual. The knowledge in Vedic literature is so vast and precise that if one looks carefully, he will notice that nothing is sentimental or imaginary but is based on facts and truth. There is a clear description and information about the identity of all living beings, the nature of the Absolute Truth, the reason for the existence of this world, the information about the world beyond this universe, and the relationship between us and God, the Absolute Truth.

Why do we light a lamp?

There are many rituals recommended in the Vedas for engaging our body and mind in the service of God. One of them is the lighting of ghee or oil lamps before the deity. According to the Vedic injunctions, all auspicious functions begin with lighting a lamp. It has a great spiritual significance. It is believed that the light of the lamp symbolizes “knowledge”, the wick symbolizes the false ego of the living entity, and ghee (clarified butter) or oil symbolizes all the negative tendencies (Anarthas) accumulated in the heart such as greed, lust, anger, and envy. When the lamp is lit by spiritual knowledge, all the Anarthas are exhausted, and the false ego, which is the root cause of conditional life, is also burnt. Therefore, the lamp is lit before the Lord as a sacrifice of our false ego in His service. Just as the light of the lamp dissipates all darkness, similarly, the light of knowledge dissipates ignorance of the Jivas and enables us to realize our real identity and purpose of life.

Why only an oil or ghee lamp?

One may question why only an oil lamp is lit before the Lord and why not an artificial light source. This may sound logical but lighting a lamp has a further spiritual significance. The flame of the light in a lamp always burns upwards indicating that by cultivating spiritual knowledge, one achieves the highest perfection of life and is always victorious. Also, a traditional lamp is the purest form of offering.

In almost every house of a follower of Sanatan Dharma, an oil or ghee lamp is lit before the altar of the Lord or before the Tulsi plant. Some people light it at dawn, some at dusk, and some people prefer to light it at dawn and dusk. Either ghee or sesame oil can be used to burn the wick. Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu or Krishna) especially light a ghee lamp every day in the month of Kartik to offer their love and devotion to the Lord.