Delve into the duality of existence with Dvimukha Ganapati, a sculpture skilfully shaped through Madhuchista Vidhana on the canvas of Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai. The two faces symbolize the delicate balance of opposites, embodying the harmonious integration of polarities within the cosmic order. This sculpture serves as a visual meditation on the interconnectedness of dualities, where Lord Ganesha stands as the divine mediator bridging disparate elements in the grand tapestry of existence.
This two-faced form of Ganapati is known as the ‘Dvimukha Ganapati,’ and its iconography is detailed in the Mudgala Purana. The twenty-seventh form from the thirty-two ascribed to our beloved god of auspicious beginnings, Dvimukha Ganapati is said to have a bluish-green complexion, draped in a silk attire of red colour – draped around his body and extending till the lower edge of the raised pedestal – and an elaborate ‘mukuta’ that is ornately bejewelled; characteristics that are prominently visible in our ‘panchaloha’ image here. The Dvimukha’s two faces are detailed as such so as to complement each other’s peripheral field of vision, allowing this manifestation of Ganesha to see all direction. Such divine gaze allows the god to fend off any demonic presence harassing its devotees.
Seated in a royally relaxed manner of ‘lalitasana’ with the right leg hanging pendent, the four arms of the Dvimukha Ganapati carry iconic attributes: the goad and the noose, signifying the elements with which Ganapati guides the hearts and minds of the dharmic populace over the path of righteousness and salvation, his broken tooth, and a ‘ratna kumbha,’ or a vessel containing precious gems. In Hindu cosmology, the Thiruvonam or Shravana Nakshatra is associated with the Dvimukha Ganapati. A magnificent sculptural example of the two-headed elephant god still in sacred worship can be witnessed at the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand.
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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