46" Large Wooden Garuda (Vahana of Lord Vishnu)

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Garuda- the mighty bird mount (vahana) of Sri Vishnu is revered in the Hindu tradition as an extension of his Lord’s heavenly aura, as his “Amsha-avatar” (partial incarnation). Amongst the Alavaras (followers of Vishnu in Southern India), the Garuda is worshipped as “Garudalavara”, Garuda who is lost (al) in the Bhakti (devotion) of Vishnu. His devoted proximity to the preserver of the universe has earned Garuda a deific place in the Vaishnava tradition, where his brilliant iconographical representations are produced by artists as a compulsory part of the shrines of Sri Vishnu. In this large wooden Garuda statue, Vishnu’s vahana can be seen in his anthropomorphic form paying adulations to his Lord, an image which is immensely popular in South Indian temple art.

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Item Code: ZDZ896
Specifications:
Wood Statue
Height: 46.5 inch
Width: 41.5 inch
Depth: 48.5 inch
Weight: 49.90 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide

The Mahabharata among many other Indian texts brings to us the story of the birth of Garuda, the son of sage Kashyapa and Vinata. According to the legend, the sage had two wives, Vianata and Kadru who received boons from their husbands that enabled them to lay 102 eggs each. The eggs of Kadru hatched quickly from which emerged Nagas (serpents), but even after 100 years, Vinata’s eggs showed no signs of life. An impatient Vinata broke one of her eggs from which a feeble and deformed figure named Aruna emerged, who enraged by his mother’s haste cursed her to become a slave to Kadru. Aruna went on to become the charioteer of Surya Deva (sun god). 500 years later, the second egg of Vinata hatched, this time resulting in the emergence of Garuda, whose persona glowed like the blazing Agni (fire). The awe that Garuda’s birth caused in the universe was resolved by Agni Deva who made the world aware of the powerful being and his persona. Later in his life, Garuda’s brilliance and valor were appreciated by Lord Vishnu, who took him as his mount, thus giving him a position of reverence that he deserved.


In this wooden Garuda statue, he is placed on a sturdy Pitha (platform) in a warrior’s pose with his bent right leg supporting the weight of his body and his left leg placed like a robust pillar in the front. His skin is yellow, which follows his description as a glowing being in the scriptures. On his head is a Mukuta (crown), in his ears are Dehri (round earrings), on his neck are two necklaces, on his arms are armbands, on his belly is a fine Udarbandha (stomach belt), and on his legs are anklets. All of his ornaments are interspersed with Nagas which are Garuda’s arch rivals, who are also known as “Bhujanga (serpent)-Ari (enemy)”. He wears a short dhoti (loin cloth) covering his thighs- an attire which is worn by warring gods and demi-gods to make the movement on the battlefield easy.


Garuda’s visage appears arresting with arched eyebrows, bulging eyes, a beak-like nose, and a majestic mustache. With these ferocious features, this wooden Garuda statue is fitting for the guardian of Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha, where he resides as the mighty Dwarapala (gatekeeper), keeping the unwanted powers outside the pious realm. Contrasting with the aggression conveyed through his remarkable features, the pose and gesture of this wooden Garuda are that of a devotee, who has chosen the path of complete self-submission (samarpana) in front of the great divine. A powerful balance of valor and obedience, Pakshiraja (the king of birds) Garuda is a personality worthy of great adoration.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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