Goddess Mahakali | Varanasi Art and Craft - Wood

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MADE IN INDIA.

Goddess Mahakali | Varanasi Art and Craft - Wood

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$114

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Goddess Mahakali, the primal force of creation and destruction, is intricately brought to life in Varanasi’s art and craft, where wood serves as the canvas for divine expression. In this ancient city, skilled artisans channel their devotion into carving the fierce deity’s likeness, each chisel stroke capturing her raw power and sublime beauty. With exquisite precision, they transform sturdy wood into a mesmerising symphony of curves and contours, breathing life into her ferocious yet compassionate form. Mahakali’s eyes blaze with cosmic energy, her many arms poised to vanquish demons and cradle her devotees. In Varanasi, woodwork transcends craftsmanship, becoming a conduit to the divine.

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Specifications

	DDC549
	Wood
	Height: 7 inch
	Width: 7.8 inch
	Depth: 8.2 inch
	Weight 230 gm

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 Fierce Mother

Encounter the potent energy of Mahakali, the fierce and compassionate Mother Goddess of Hindu tradition. This carefully crafted wooden representation brings her formidable presence into your home. More than just a decorative piece, it’s a connection to the primal power of destruction and renewal that Kali embodies. The intense gaze, the protruding tongue, the garland of severed heads—each element is a deliberate symbol. These are not images of cruelty, but of liberation. Kali destroys illusions, ego, and negativity, freeing us from the shackles of ignorance and leading us towards enlightenment. She is the destroyer of evil, the protector of the righteous, and the ultimate source of transformation.

Varanasi Craftsmanship

This is a hand-crafted creation born from the skilled artisans of Varanasi, a city steeped in spirituality and artistic heritage. Using traditional techniques passed down through generations, each piece is sculpted with devotion and imbued with the spirit of the sacred city. The vibrant colors and intricate details are a testament to the artisans' commitment to their craft and to honoring the Goddess. The use of wood adds a natural, earthy quality to the image, grounding the powerful energy of Kali in the tangible world. This is not a mass-produced item, but a unique piece of art that reflects the soul of the artisan and the divine essence of the Goddess. Owning this piece is owning a part of Varanasi's rich cultural tapestry and connecting to a lineage of devotional artistry.

Mahakali: Beyond Destruction

Often misunderstood in the West, Mahakali is not simply a goddess of death and destruction. Her seemingly terrifying appearance is a symbolic representation of her power to destroy the ego, ignorance, and the illusions that bind us to suffering. The garland of severed heads symbolizes the liberation from ego, while the sword represents the cutting away of falsehoods. Her dark skin represents the ultimate reality, beyond the illusion of color and form. In the famous tale of Raktabija, Kali’s fierceness is demonstrated when she battles a demon who multiplies every time a drop of his blood touches the ground. To prevent his infinite regeneration, Kali drinks every drop of his blood, showcasing her unyielding strength and protecting the universe from chaos. This story beautifully illustrates her role as a protector and a force for cosmic balance. Invite her presence into your home as a reminder of the power within you to overcome obstacles and embrace transformation.

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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