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Mahamrityunjaya

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Name: Mahamrityunjaya
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM621
Price: 305.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$381

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZEM621
	Wood Carving From South India
	Height: 16 inch
	Width: 1.7 inch
	Depth: 9.3 inch
	Weight 1.88 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 35 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.

The Embodiment of Victory Over Death

This exquisite wood carving from South India captures the divine essence of Lord Shiva in his Mahamrityunjaya form. Crafted with meticulous detail, this artwork is more than just a decorative piece; it is a conduit to ancient spiritual traditions and a symbol of profound healing and protection. The deep, rich hue of the carved wood evokes the sacredness and timelessness associated with this powerful deity. The depiction showcases Lord Shiva with multiple arms, a common iconography representing his boundless power and cosmic significance. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the destroyer and transformer, but in his Mahamrityunjaya aspect, he is revered as the Lord of Immortality and the conqueror of death. The stories associated with this form often speak of his intervention in critical moments, offering salvation and longevity to his devotees. One prominent legend tells of his grace bestowed upon Markandeya, a young sage destined to die prematurely. Shiva, moved by the boy's devotion, intervened and defeated Yama, the god of death, thereby granting Markandeya eternal life. This carving serves as a visual reminder of that powerful act of divine protection and the potential for overcoming life's ultimate challenges.

Artistry and Spiritual Significance

The artist's skilled hands have brought forth a piece that resonates with both aesthetic beauty and spiritual depth. The posture of the deity, seated serenely amidst intricate detailing, suggests a profound sense of peace and control. The multiple hands often hold symbolic objects, each representing different aspects of Shiva's divine power. While the specific attributes may vary in different renditions, their presence underscores the deity's omnipotence and ability to guide devotees through trials and tribulations. The very act of carving wood, a natural and living material, imbues the sculpture with a sense of organic energy and connection to the earth, further enhancing its sacred aura. This wood carving, originating from the rich artistic traditions of South India, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Hindu iconography and craftsmanship. Each curve and contour has been shaped with reverence, aiming to create a focal point for meditation, prayer, and spiritual reflection. The Mahamrityunjaya mantra, a powerful chant dedicated to this form of Shiva, is believed to possess healing properties and the ability to ward off negative influences and premature death. Possessing this sculpture can be seen as inviting that protective energy into your home or sacred space, fostering an environment of well-being and spiritual resilience. It is a piece that will undoubtedly become a treasured heirloom, passed down through generations, carrying with it stories of faith, protection, and the triumph of life.

Sculpting Serenity: Unveiling the Art of Crafting Wood Statues

Wood has been a preferred material for sculptures and statues since ancient times. It is easy to work with than most metals and stones and therefore requires less effort to shape it into any desired shape or form. The texture of the wood gives an element of realism to the sculpture. The selection of an appropriate wood type is necessary for carving. Woods that are too resinous or coniferous are not considered good for carving as their fiber is very soft and thus lacks strength. On the other hand, wood such as Mahogany, Oakwood, Walnut wood, Weet cherry wood, etc., are preferred by sculptors because their fiber is harder. A wood sculptor uses various tools such as a pointed chisel in one hand and a mallet in another to bring the wood to the desired measurement and to make intricate details on it. A carving knife is used to cut and smooth the wood. Other tools such as the gouge, V-tool, and coping saw also serve as important tools in wood carving. Although the wood carving technique is not as complex and tough as stone carving or metal sculpting, nonetheless, a wood carver requires a high level of skills and expertise to create a stunning sculpture.

1. Selecting the right wood

The process of wood carving begins with selecting a chunk of wood that is required according to the type and shape of the statue to be created by the sculptor. Both hardwoods and softwoods are used for making artistic pieces, however, hardwoods are preferred more than softer woods because of their durability and longevity. But if heavy detailing is to be done on the statue, wood with fine grain would be needed as it would be difficult to work with hardwood.

2. Shaping the wood

Once the wood type is selected, the wood carver begins the general shaping process using gouges of various sizes. A gouge is a tool having a curved cutting edge which is useful in removing large unwanted portions of wood easily without splitting the wood. The sculptor always carves the wood across the grain of the wood and not against it.

3. Adding detailing

When a refined shape of the statue is obtained, it is time for making details on the statue using different tools. This is achieved by using tools such as a veiner to make and a V-tool to create decorative and sharp cuts.

4. Surface finishing

Once finer details have been added, the sculptor is ready to smoothen the surface and give it a perfect finish. Tools such as rasps and rifflers are used to get a smooth surface. The finer polishing is obtained by rubbing the surface with sandpaper. If a textured surface is required, this step is skipped. Finally, to protect the statue from excessive dirt accumulation, the sculptor applies natural oils such as walnut or linseed oil all over it. This also brings a natural sheen to the statue.

How to care for Wood Statues?

Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.

Wood tends to expand and contract even after it has been processed, thus it is always recommended to keep the wooden sculptures in rooms with little humidity. Excess moisture can harm your masterpiece.

Periodical dusting of the finished piece is necessary to maintain its beauty as dust accumulation on the surface takes away the shine of the sculpture. You can use a clean and soft cloth or a hairbrush for this purpose.

You must avoid applying any chemical-based solutions that may damage the wood from the inside. Instead, you can apply lemon oil or coconut oil using a cotton rag to the sculpture to bring out its natural shine. Lemon oil also helps to clean any stains on the sculpture.

Applying a layer of beeswax protects the wood from sun damage and hides even the smallest imperfections on the wood.

It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.

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