Lakshmi, The Goddess of Wealth

As the goddess of wealth, prosperity, good harvests,a and of love, Lakshmi is one of the most popular goddesses of the Hindus. Also called Sri, the beautiful, she is the epitome of feminine beauty. Lakshmi is the gentle and generous provider of riches and so every Hindu home has its shrine to her, as do workplaces. The presence of Lakshmi brings good fortune and wen she leaves she takes fortune with her. So the radiant Lakshmi who is easy to please is propitiated with puja and flowers everyday.

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Crafts of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, a state with most religious, cultural and agricultural significance, has a craft tradition equally rich and old. From Benaras Brocade and Lucknow Chikankari to the Aligarh metal craft and Saharanpur woodcraft, there is so much to explore.

Weaving is one of the main crafts of Uttar Pradesh and the center of this craft is Varanasi or Benaras. Brocade, tanchoi and silk are the speciality of the weavers of Benaras. Benaras has also perfected the various style of brocade weaving. Brocade is described as a figured textile with the patterning woven in supplementary, usually discontinuous weft threads.

The other embroidery work of Uttar Pradesh has an aristocratic background and is known as Chikankari. Done predominantly in the Lucknow town, this embroidery is believed to be the embroidered imitation of Jamdani weaving of Bengal. This embroidery is done on sari,salwar kurta, men's kurta, mens cap, table linen and bed linen. As it is always done on cotton or fine muslin apparels, it sells the best in summer time in India.

The woodcraft in the country has a long history. We fine references of wood carving in the Rig Veda, in which the carpenters are called Taskans. In different regions and states of India, different styles have evolved down the ages. The specialization depends on factors like the kind of wood available and the craft tradition of the different regions. In Uttar Pradesh specializes in crafts made of Shesham wood. Shesham is a rich medium brown wood with deep grains.
Brass, an alloy that was achieved by fusing zinc with copper, exists in India since the third century BC. The fusion was done ensuring that the percentage of zinc was strictly maintained between twelve to fourteen percent. In Uttar Pradesh, there are two main centres of brass work. The first one is Moradabad, where the craft has a history as long as four hundred years and another one is Aligarh that is newer as copared to the former.

Head of Buddha Brass Statue Collectible Figurines Religious Gifts India

This heavy brass head of Buddha is an interesting and peculiar sight. Its long elvish ears seem to extend till the bottom of its neck, hanging on the sides of a head that is comparitively much smaller. Dark lines mark the features of the face that seems to be having a very contented sleep. The brass gives it an incredible blooming shine under the light; an interesting double meaning to the Enlightened One. Wavy patterns extend all over the head to mark the large thick hair, that is arranged in a dome on the very top of the head. All of this makes it a really conspicuous presence in the room that you put it in, because how can you not admire such a strange and distinctive sight. A+ Seller. I will purchase from them again.

Highly Recommended !!!, June 5, 2008

By	Malini Verma "WorshipperOfOrwell" (India)

Finding the perfect Father's day gift

The perfect gift for father’s day should be well thought out, personal and different. Adding an Indian touch to those regular presents will help increase the value of the present and the surprise felt by your father.
The Kurta Pajama is a personal and useful choice. A traditional Indian piece of clothing, the Kurta Pajama is comfortable and can be warn on any occasion. A universally popular choice, it is made in pure cotton to help endure those warn summer days. These Kurta Pajama sets from Rajasthan and Gujarat are not only found in traditional block printing patterns, but also tie and dye, rich embroidery and intricate mirror work.
The Short Kurtas are similar to the Kurta Pajama, only with the absence of the pajama and shorter Kurtas. A more casual pick, the Mens short sleeve Casual Cotton Shirt Kurtas, are made for comfort and endurance for the summer heat. A more affordable option, the Short Kurtas, like the Kurta pajama, come in various designs and patterns including tie and dye, block printing, rich Indian embroidery and intricate mirror work.
Cufflinks- The perfect gift for all those workaholic fathers out there. Made out of sterling silver and different gemstones, these Indian handmade novelties are a well thought out and unique gift. This item is definitely going to earn you kids some browny points this year!.
Used for religious and inspirational purposes, sculptures and statues, of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, help bring about peace, serenity and a sense of inspiration and stimulus in the surrounding areas. Carved by some of the finest sculptors of India, most of these styles were introduces in the 10th and 11th century.

Lord Vishnu Statues in Brass from India

Collectible figurines -Sculptures Gifts from India for religious and inspirational purposes. Statues and sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. All carvings are done in uniquely Indian style in brass. Brass is any alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. Brass is a substitution alloy. Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used as decoration and for coins. The craft is practiced by the people of the Kansari caste who can be broadly described as metal smiths while a particular variety, dhokra, is practiced mainly by sithulias and hand carved by some of the finest sculpture artists of India. The largest concentration of the former is Kantilo and Balakati in Puri district although fairly substantial numbers are found in Cuttack, Ganjam and Sambalpur districts. Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used as decoration and for coins. Brass has likely been known to humans since prehistoric times, even before zinc itself was discovered. It was produced by melting copper together with calamine, a zinc ore. The Brass statue of Hindu God Vishnu, the preserver of universe. A very nice home improvement item for you and your family. Pure Handcrafted Brass Statue in Antique look. No other material included. The high quality of pure Brass ensures it's longevity, Indian history of handicraft is the proof of that. Vishnu, the Supreme Being worshipped in his varied manifestations and incarnations is nicely portrayed in this brass statue. The statue is in antique finish and Made of Pure brass. A beautifully carved brass figurine of god vishnu in a flautist posture is simply beautiful as a home decorative item. The delicately carved brass figurine of god Vishnu in a relaxing posture is both graceful and elegant.

Head of Buddha Brass Statue Collectible Figurines Religious Gifts

The Meditation Buddha Head image portrays the traditional figure of the meditative Yogin, transcendent in his mental powers yet very much a part of this world. Many a time, he is surrounded by images of radiance and abundance, the sun disc and the trees, and supported by lions, emblems of his royal position. While his placement atop a lion throne, and the presence of two attendants holding chowries, serve to emphasize his regal position, at the same time, his Yogic posture, humble robe and gestures of reassurance embody the spiritual nature of his message. This image remained the primary source for subsequent figures of Buddha through Asia. One of the consistencies of Buddhist art in India was the retention of this essentially human image, even when it was surrounded by an array of figures and images of wealth and abundance.

Lord Ganesha Brass Sculpture from India

Ganesha has been represented with the head of an elephant since the early stages of his appearance in Indian art. Ganapati or Ganesha, the Lord of Ganas, the elephant faced God, represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors.He is worshipped for siddhi, success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts.

Metal or Brass sculptures became popular throughout India during the post-Gupta period. In South India, they mastered the art of making huge exquisite sculptures with great stress on designs and details. The art achieved its zenith in the Chola period. Bronze statues in timeless and classic poses and styles from the Chola dynasty (900 AD). These statues have been made by Swamimalai artisans of Tamilnadu, in southern India, using the lost wax technique from ancient times.The utsava murthis (idols) of temples, which are taken out in procession during temple festivals were made of bronze and panchaloha. For the collector, an exclusive assortment of different styles of sculptures and figurines in bronze. With old world attention to detail, every piece has one of a kind workmanship. A rare combination of beauty and power has culminated in a sophisticated and unique sensitivity, further emphasized by variety and range. The art of sculpting in Tamilnadu is strictly governed by the canons of iconography and iconometry. India,sculptors and artisans have inherited their knowledge and skills from their ancestors. The figure is prepared according to the cire perdue or lost wax method, known as the madhuchchistavidhna.