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Lord Ganesha is the elephant headed God and is among the most revered and worshiped Hindu deities. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi is held to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesh, also known as 'Vinayaka', the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The event celebrates Lord Ganesh, who is also known as the god of knowledge and intellect, as well as the God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. Ganesh Utsav begins with the Chaturthi Utsav and falls during the time of ‘Bhadrapada Madhayani Purvabhadra’. On Ganesha Chaturthi, 'Ganapati Sthapana' hai s offered to Lord Ganesh through an invitational ritual for establishing life in the idol. The Ganapati Puja is performed during the Madhyahna part of the day, considered the most suitable time for Ganesha Puja according to Vedic astrology. The regalia associated with Ganesh Chaturthi was originally started by Chhatrapati Shivaji during the month of Bhadrapada. Later, freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak hailed the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav festival to unite people in celebration across caste divides and turn the celebration into a significant and well-attended public event. Lord Ganesh was put forth as the deity who would bridge the divide between Brahmins and non-Brahmins, revering Ganesh as the God for all, in order to create a unification among them and create a nationalistic sentiment in challenging the then British colonial authority. Today Ganeshotsav is one of the foremost and widespread Hindu festivals celebrated across Maharashtra along with other west Indian states as well as in several parts of the world. This festival lasts for ten days and culminates in the immersion of the Ganesh idol in water known as "Visarjan''. Popular public celebrations of the holiday are planned by neighborhood societies, trade associations, or local youth organizations. Ganesh idols are established in temporary structures called mandaps or pandals or in residences. During the holiday, community events as well as cultural performances are organized to celebrate and bring people together. Throughout the ten day celebration, a series of ceremonial offerings, Puja is observed through ritualistic hymns and songs from religious texts such as the Upanisdhad to tribute the Lord of Wisdom and prosperity. #GaneshChaturthi2022 #ganapathi #ganesh #ganesha #ganeshotsav #lordganesha #indiafestivals #auspicious #occassions #ganeshchaturthi  #spirituality #Ragaarts #gifts #Marblestatue #Brassstatue #Bronzestatue #murti #Woodenkrishnastatues #WoodenStatues #hinduidols #bronze #metalarts #figurines #brass #sculpture  #india #ragartsbangalore #ragaartsbengaluru

Krishna Janmashthami marks the birth of Lord Krishna the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is beloved among Hindu deities, he is the god of protection, compassion, kindness, and love. Also known as Gokulashthami, according to legends the birth of Lord Krishna was for the protection of the pure and innocent against evil forces. Born to Devaki and Vasudeva, the child’s life was under threat from his uncle King Kansa. On Janmashtami, people keep fasts, sing devotional songs of love for Krishna, and maintain vigil through the night known as ‘Ratri Jagaran’ to commemorate this legend. Baby Krishna or ‘Gopala’ idols are bathed, dressed, and then put in a cradle after his midnight birth. Devotees offer fruits, betel, butter and sweets to their lord. They then share food and desserts to break their fast. Women depict Krishna's journey into their houses by drawing small footprints outside their kitchen doors and home entrances. It is a significant celebration, especially in the Hindu Vaishnavism tradition. ’Rasa Lila’ or ‘Krishna Lila’ are dance-dramas that depict Krishna's life as it is described in the Bhagavata Purana. Lord Krishna plays a significant role in the Bhagavata Purana, the Bhagavad Gita, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and many other Hindu philosophical, theological, and mythological works. They present him from a variety of angles, including that of a godchild, model-lover, celestial hero, and ultimate deity of all creation. His iconography depicts him in many life phases, such as a newborn consuming butter, a young child playing the flute, a young lad with Radha, surrounded by female followers. Lord Krishna is also known as a wise counsel and charioteer to Arjuna during the Mahabharata war. Significant Vaishnava and non-sectarian populations found in a majority of regions in India celebrate the occasion. Krishna Janmashthami is celebrated primarily in Mathura and Vrindavan, considered the birth and residence of Lord Krishna. #KrishnaJanmashtami #lordkrishna #hindufestivals #JaiSriKrishna #janmashtami #festivals #krishna #krishnastatue #krishnamurti #Krishnaidol  #Ragaarts #gifts #Marblestatue #Brassstatue #Bronzestatue #murti #Woodenkrishnastatues #WoodenStatues #hinduidols #bronze #metalarts #figurines #brass #sculpture  #india #ragartsbangalore #ragaartsbengaluru

The community of Newar, one of the primary ethnic groups of Nepal are the painters and sculptors behind the Nepalese style of artwork. The strong influence of both Hinduism as well as Buddhism is evident in Nepalese culture and sculptures. A vast majority of sculptures can be noted to be made out of bronze, copper or any other alloy. Their metal sculptures have a high copper content and are either richly gilded or have a somewhat reddish patina where the gold has worn off. Semi-precious stones are inlaid into several of them, particularly the later ones, to embellish the deities. Their art and sculpting traditions can be identified with inspirations from Tibet and mainland India. Since both China and Tibet imported artwork and artisans from Nepal to adorn their temples and monasteries. Nepalese style occasionally had a significant impact on the art of those two nations. This has helped to create a unique style of craft in Nepalese sculptures. Although most of the Newari painters were Buddhists, neither a Hindu nor a Buddhist style can be distinguished in these sculptures, which were mostly made for religious purposes. The style of Nepalese sculpture was originally developed from Gupta Indian art and eventually absorbed elements of Pala Indian art. However, Nepalese painters developed a unique aesthetic that is recognisable even in their early sculptures such as the 'Standing Vajrapani', made from copper alloy dating back to 6th century. Later, Nepalese painters created deities with a unique physiognomy, including broader features and long eyes as opposed to eastern Indian models. The Nepalese sculptural history is evident from the frequent use of ornamental designs, with wider faces, exaggerated poses, and a variety of distinctive jewelry designs. #sculpting #nepalesesculpting #indianhandicrafts #ethnic #blog #ragaarts #giftsshop #art #handicarfts #traditional #cultures 

The Adivasi communities of India's Bastar area (Chhattisgarh) are globally recognised for their distinctive art and exceptional craft work in various forms such as woodwork, bamboo art, soil art and metal arts. Dhokra art is a unique style of preservation used by the metalsmith tribes in Bastar along with West Bengal, Odisha as well as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; even receiving Geographical Indication (GI) tags for their artwork. The Ghadwas of Bastar have been passing on their traditional bronze and brass artwork to manufacture bell metal handicrafts in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh and Bastar districts. Typically, tribes like the "Jharas" of Raigarh and the "Ghadwas" of Bastar practice Dhokra Art using an age-old technique of hollow casting and lost wax along with wrought iron figurines. Iron waste that has been recycled is usually used as the primary ingredient in this craft. The characteristic items produced by this skill include lamps, candle stands, sculptures of deities, musicians, as well as toys. The metal casting technique used in Dhokra can be traced back to 4,000 years, with the dancing girl figurine of Mohenjo-daro being the earliest known lost wax relics. Dhokra sculptures are made using a clay core that almost resembles the final cast; this picture is the first step in the lost wax hollow casting process. A coating of wax made from pure beeswax, resin from the tree of ‘Damara Orientalis’ along with nut oil is then applied over the clay core. Artisans use this wax mold to carve and decorate patterns in the sculpture. The wax is then coated over with clay, which assumes the internal form of the clay from inside, turning it into a mold for the metal that will be poured within. Brass or bronze are commonly used to sculpt these Dhokra figurines. #dhokra #dhokrafigurines #giftshop #traditionalart #handicrafts #handmadewithlove #idols #sculpture #blog #ragaarts

Clay Articrafts is an ancient traditional craft in India. Chopanimandu is the earliest evidence of clay articraft or pottery culture in India.In India various clay articrafts or pottery cultures were developed at different intervals of time in different places. And wide spread all over the nation , giving rise to unique and wide range of making and employment with source of income. Black Red ware clay articraft or pottery (between 2400 BC-100 AD). Majorly found & evidence in the reason of Rajasthan, UP, MP, Bihar, West Bengal. And basically it is from the river belt of Ganga & Yamuna region. No painting is used this pottery making. Ochre colour clay articraft or pottery (between 2000 BC -1500 BC). Found & evidenced from eastern Punjab , Rajasthan ,western UP at the same belt of Ganga & Yamuna region. Copper hoard clay articraft or pottery culture (between 2000 BC - 1500 BC). It is almost found from every part of India except from the north eastern part. Discovered & found from Bithur in Kanpur district .Even it is from the region of Ganga & Yamuna. Painted grey ware clay articraft (between 1000BC - 600BC), found and evidenced in Later Vedic age in the region Bukhari. Northern black polished ware clay articraft (between 600 BC-300 AD).Found & evidenced in the period of buddhism was propagated , rise of Mahajanapadas took place & modern dynasty was founded. This pottery is famous for its glossy polish which has all been found from Mauryan pillars. Aurentine Ware clay articrafts (between 200BC - 300 AD).Found & evidence from Arikamedu and Muziris which is associated with Romans. These roman clay articrafts is majorly found in north & south India and few other clay articrafts / pottery culture are Red slipped ware found between kushan to 3 century AD, Red ware - 100 AD early mediaeval India, Red Painted pottery - pottery of the Gupta age. Some of Present & Famous Indian Potter Traditions:* Rajasthan & Molela Murtikala* Karnataka & Bidriware* West Bengal & Terracotta Pottery* Uttar Pradesh & Black Clay Pottery* Gujarat & Khavda Pottery   #clayart #clay #handmade #art #polymerclay #clayartist #sculpture #ceramics #pottery #claysculpture #ceramicart #artist #clayearrings #claycreations #polymerclayart #polymerclayearrings #handmadewithlove #blog #ragaarts

Thanjavur / Tanjore painting - The Legacy Of Golden GuildThanjavur painting is a classical South Indian painting style, which was inaugurated from the town of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu. The art form draws its immediate resources and inspiration from way back about 1600 AD, a period when the Nayakas of Thanjavur under the suzerainty of the Vijayanagara Rayas encouraged art—chiefly, classical dance and music—as well as literature, both in Telugu and Tamil and painting of chiefly Hindu religious subjects in temples. It is distinguished by its famous gold coating.Thanjavur has a unique place in the history of Indian painting, in that it houses the 11th century Chola wall paintings in the Brihadeeswarar temple (Periya koyil or Pervudaiyar koyil in Tamil) as also paintings from the Nayak period (many times superimposed on the earlier Chola paintings) dating to the 16th century.The fall of the Vijayanagara empire led to the migration of the painters who were solely dependant on the patronage of the empire, after with the artisans worked under the patronage of the thanjavur nayakas.A Thanjavur Painting was generally made on a canvas pasted over a plank of wood (Jackfruit or teak) with Arabic gum. The canvas was then evenly coated with a paste of French chalk (gopi) or powdered limestone and a binding medium and dried. The artist then drew or traced using a stencil, a detailed outline of the main and subsidiary subjects on the canvas. A paste, made of limestone powder and a binding medium called sukkan or makku, was used for creating the Gesso work. Gold leaves and gems of varied hues were inlaid in selected areas like pillars, arches, thrones, dresses, etc. Finally, colours were applied on the sketch. In the past, artists used natural colours like vegetable and mineral dyes, whereas the present day artists use chemical paints. For outlines dark brown or red was usually used. Red was favoured for the background, though blue and green were also used. Lord Vishnu, was coloured blue, and Lord Nataraja chalk white, and his consort Goddess Sivakami was green. The sky, of course, was blue, but black was also employed on occasions. The portrayal of figures in the paintings was also typical with almost all the figures having rounded faces with almond-shaped eyes and smooth, streamlined bodies. The composition is static and two-dimensional with the figures placed within arches, curtains and decorative borders. The main subject is much larger than the other subjects and occupies the centre of the painting.  Gold has always symbolised fire; it is a symbol of purity. It symbolises wealth, and is an emblem of Lakshmi [the goddess of prosperity]. Threads of gold are woven into saris, it is in the gopuram (ornate entrance towers) of temples. It has a strong ritualistic significance within the Hindu dharma so to speak.                   Thanjavur paintings are true symbol of devotion, art & heritage.   #tanjoreart #tanjorepainting #tanjore #paintings #poojaroom #poojaroomdecor #bangalore #tanjorepaintings #thanjavurpaintings #indianwedding #culture #indianhomedecor #indianethnic #customportrait #indianhome #beautifulhomesindia #lakshmipooja #indianart