Uma-Parvati, the feminine potency of Shiva and a form of Maha-Shakti, the primordial female energy in Hindu tradition is worshipped in the shrines dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva as the queen of his inner sanctum. An entire convention of Uma icons, where the goddess luxuriantly sits on a lotus platform is dedicated to this aspect of Uma, which is devotionally called “Bhogashakti”- the goddess of pleasure, who appeals to the great ascetic Shiva, inspiring him into action that results in the commencement of the processes of creation.
In this Panchaloha bronze Uma statue, the goddess is placed on an upturned lotus pedestal which is kept on another square platform. With one leg folded and another dangling, the goddess is in the posture of royal ease, known as Lalitasana.
“Lalita” also means the beautiful one, which does not even begin to describe the celestial form of Lalita-Tripurasundari- the beautiful one who is the most appealing woman in three realms (Tripura), an epithet used for Uma-Parvati. Her luxurious tresses are tied in a high raising knot, making a Jata-mukuta (crown formed out of locks of hair) which gives her presence an imposing feel.
Goddess Uma’s divine form is sparsely adorned with fine ornaments- Makara kundala (earrings with the mythical Makara motif, a symbol of royalty and beauty), necklaces, Bajubanda (armbands) with vegetal patterns, bejeweled and ornate hair accessories and a Yajnopavita (sacred thread). The use of different patterns and carving on the legs of this bronze Uma-Parvati statue reveals her delicate and patterned dhoti (lower body garment) that clings to her legs.
Assured incised lines on the visage of this Devi Uma statue have helped the sculptor bring out the enchanting facial features of the mother goddess. Devi’s left hand is restfully placed on her throne, supporting the weight of her lithesome body, and her right hand is in the “Katakhasta mudra”- a gesture for holding the flower, which the beloved of Shiva offers lovingly to Mahadeva.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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