Casting of Ashtadhatu Deities for Bhaktivedanta Ashram

Jahnava Nitai Das · 04-22-2006, 10:31 AM

Casting of Ashtadhatu Deities for Bhaktivedanta Ashram

Largest Jagannatha Deities in the World to be installed May 22nd - 24th

Dear friends and devotees,

Jaya Sri Rama. Please accept my humble pranams.

In a previous newsletter we had mentioned the upcoming installation of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarshana deities at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Bhadrak, Orissa. Panditas from Puri have determined May 22nd to the 24th to be the auspicious time for the prana pratistha ceremony and kumbhabhisheka to take place. Accordingly all preparations are being made for the occassion.

Besides the main Jagannatha deities, four other deities are being cast out of ashtadhatu (a combination of eight metals, gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron, and mercury). The deities will include the two Lakshmis who sit at the Lord's feet in Puri (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi), as well as Garuda and Vimala Devi. Each deity will be approximately 2 feet tall and weigh around 100 kilograms. Casting of these deities will begin within the next few days in Kantila, the traditional center of Orissan deity casting. Kantila is also the home of Nilamadhava, the original deity after which Puri Jagannatha was made.

The casting process involves several stages, the first of which is making exact models of the deities out of beeswax. Clay is then put on top of the wax deity to make a mold, which is used in the final casting. The clay and wax deities are put into a fire, resulting in the wax melting and the clay hardening, making a hollow mold of the deity. Finally the eight metals (ashtadhatu) are melted and poured into the clay molds and allowed to cool. Once the ashtadhatu metals have cooled and set, the clay molds are broken, leaving only the ashtadhatu deities. Below you can see pictures of the wax deities that will be used in the casting process.

Simultaneously, Orissan shilpis from konaraka have been working on granite deities of Narasimha, Varaha, Vamana and Garuda. These deities will be installed on the four sides of the temple, as is the tradition for Jagannatha temples in Orissa.

As mentioned in our last newsletter, during the prana pratishtha ceremony of Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarshana, the Nabhi Brahma will be placed inside a special compartment in the deities' chest. Several secret items will be installed within the deity, accompanied by special salagrama shilas covered in gold. Last year, devotees from the Ashram had gone to Muktinath in Nepal to search for the necessary shalagrama shilas on the banks of the Gandaki river. Below are photos of the 33 special shalagramas that were collected for the installation.

Wax deity of Bhu Devi (Lakshmi)

Wax deity of Sri Devi (Lakshmi)

Wax deity of Vimala Devi (Durga)

Wax deity of Garuda

The 33 special shalagramas collected
at Muktinath for the installation.

Devotees at Muktinath, inspecting shalagramas
for the required markings and symbols.

For more information please visit our website:

www.bvashram.org

Bhakta Don Muntean · 04-22-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jndas

Wax deity of Bhu Devi (Lakshmi)

Very Nice! I note that there is a nice poster of Lord Jesus in the background of this picture! Who is it at the top of this poster - I wish the poster could be copied and posted here?

Jahnava Nitai Das · 04-23-2006, 01:01 AM

That is the workshop of the sthapati. His walls are all covered with religious posters, mostly Hindu but some Christian and Buddhist.

Bhakta Don Muntean · 04-23-2006, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jndas

That is the workshop of the sthapati. His walls are all covered with religious posters, mostly Hindu but some Christian and Buddhist.

Preaching to the world - without trying! Just see - a simple poster on the wall builds bridges between faith groups!

I'd love to see the poster full...

I'm looking forward to seeing the completed murtis on this thread. Before I forget - are you still working on placing Prabhupada videos on line here?

Yer servant,

BDM

Jahnava Nitai Das · 04-25-2006, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Before I forget - are you still working on placing Prabhupada videos on line here?

Yes, work is going on and testing is being done. This will definetely get done, but it will take a couple weeks.

Bhakta Don Muntean · 04-25-2006, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jndas

Yes, work is going on and testing is being done. This will definetely get done, but it will take a couple weeks.

Very cool! Thank you!

Yer servant,

BDM

04-27-2006, 07:39 AM

Are the dieties of Sridevi, Bhudevi, Garuda and Vimala devi the exact replicas of the deities installed at the temple in Puri?????????

Jahnava Nitai Das · 04-27-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Are the dieties of Sridevi, Bhudevi, Garuda and Vimala devi the exact replicas of the deities installed at the temple in Puri?????????

The forms are identical, but the material is different. Some of the deities in Puri are made from silver.

Also this Vimala Devi will eventually be the utsav murti when a larger temple is built and a granite deity will be installed.

04-28-2006, 01:35 PM

Jai Sri Krishna

Another question on the Ashtadhatu images: I am not very familiar with the style of Orrissan Bronze casting. I have noticed that the hands of Sri devi and Vimala devi are in the posture of holding Lotuses and other Ayhudas (weapons) but right now they are empty. Will these deities be cast with them 'holding' the various symbols and lotus flowers (as mentalic deities in sth india are)???? or will the hands be left empty for them to hold 'moveable' weapons and lotuses..(simliar to how Krishna images are made, where the hands are left empty and later a nice flute is placed in his hands during darshan) and then taken away at meals, bathing and sleep)...

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-05-2006, 03:39 AM

Sorry for the late reply. I seemed to have missed seeing your question.

Quote:

Another question on the Ashtadhatu images: I am not very familiar with the style of Orrissan Bronze casting. I have noticed that the hands of Sri devi and Vimala devi are in the posture of holding Lotuses and other Ayhudas (weapons) but right now they are empty. Will these deities be cast with them 'holding' the various symbols and lotus flowers (as mentalic deities in sth india are)???? or will the hands be left empty for them to hold 'moveable' weapons and lotuses..(simliar to how Krishna images are made, where the hands are left empty and later a nice flute is placed in his hands during darshan) and then taken away at meals, bathing and sleep)...

In Orissa, weapons (such as swords, knives, shields) are cast as seperate items. Sri Devi will be holding two elephants (like Gaja Lakshmi), but those will be cast joined with the deity (not as seperate removable pieces).

The above photos of the wax deities were not final. At the time of taking the pictures, the elephants were not yet done, Garuda's wings were not yet done, and a few other things as well.