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2024 Buying Trip – North India

Every January, I embark on my journey to curate the stunning statues you’ll see on Lotus Sculpture throughout the year. This year’s journey takes me through the heart of India and Nepal, and yes, those are the majestic Himalayas I’m glimpsing from my window. The sight of these towering mountains is incredibly humbling!

I invite you to stay connected for weekly updates on my journey! I’ll be sending out newsletters, to sum up my adventures, and you can also follow along daily on Instagram for a more up-close and personal experience of my travels.

My trip began in Delhi, with my good friend Piyush, and I’ve already picked out some amazing new designs, like this Nandi, to add to our collection soon.

You have spoken and I have listened!
I’m very excited to share something new with you all! After hearing your requests for smaller murtis for home altars, I’ve found a fantastic range of brass and copper murtis, all 6 inches or smaller. It’s great to know I can bring exactly what you’ve been looking for to your sacred spaces. Your feedback is invaluable, and I’m thrilled to respond to your needs!

I had the chance to learn extensively about the coloring process of our brass murtis. Vijay, who manages the coloring, guided me through the entire procedure, giving me an insightful look into this intricate art form.

Check out the video below for a closer look at the process:

My visit to the showroom had a charming local twist when a mongoose curiously sniffed me, revealing that a mongoose family calls this place home. I was told by Carol on Instagram that “At least you’ll be safe from cobras!”
Thank you Carol but I am more worried about Delhi Belly than cobras at this point.

Check out the Instagram post below to meet my new mongoose friend:

Next, my journey took me to Jaipur, the heartland of India’s white marble craftsmanship. Here, I had the pleasure of meeting Ajaysharma and his brother, Vijay, in their quaint studio. Ajay is a master at carving intricate white marble statues, while Vijay brings them to life with his skillful painting. It’s a perfect blend of creativity and brotherly collaboration, truly capturing the essence of Jaipur’s artistic spirit.

I have managed to visit quite a few temples since I arrived. I just can’t get enough of the unique sights and sounds each one has to offer. It’s so cool to soak up all that energy – It really makes you feel part of something bigger.

I have just arrived in Nepal and am looking forward to exploring the narrow streets of Patan in search of more statues!

Discovering Indonesian Art: Sculptures, Stories, and Timeless Treasures

March 3rd, 2023

I’ve just returned from my buying trip, which included my final stop in Indonesia where I found myself captivated by the rows of moss-covered stone statues amidst the thick air left behind by the previous night’s rain. I couldn’t help but fall in love with these beautiful sculptures every time I laid eyes on them, and my weakness for their allure led me to purchase not one but two 40-foot containers full of them. These exquisite stone statues are set to arrive just in time for the spring gardening season in April-May.

Nyoman and I have been collaborating since 2004. His exceptional talent is immediately apparent in the delicate and fluid lines he carves into his Buddha statues, as exemplified by the plump and content Buddha he’s currently holding. The expression on the statue’s face is unlike anything else you’ll find in the Indonesian market, and to top it off, the Buddha is even holding a cup of coffee!

As an art enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for artists who possess the ability to create something truly distinctive with a style that’s unmistakably their own.

For 19 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Wayan Sabur and his son. Whenever I step into their workshop, I’m always greeted by Wayan’s warm and welcoming smile, which reflects his joyous outlook on life. He takes each day as it comes and truly enjoys every moment.

Despite the different perception of time in Indonesia, I’ve often commissioned custom orders with Wayan, only to return the next year to find them partially completed.

One of his remarkable creations is a stunning Buddha standing on a blooming lotus. The intricate carving of the Buddha’s robes is exceptional, resembling the undulating waves of the ocean more than traditional cloth. This design is so unique that I always purchase every statue he creates in this style.

Artists like Wayan used to be more common in Indonesia, but their time is dwindling. Thankfully, his son is ready to continue his father’s legacy by carrying on his designs and artistry into the next generation.

What do you think of these doors? Teak wood doors. Should Lotus Sculpture start importing them?

What do you think of this teak wood root decorative piece? It will be polished and cleaned up. It is unique in that it is just fine outdoors as well as indoors. It is monstrous too with a size of 8 feet by 8 feet. It is one of those unique pieces that you just do not see anymore.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Echo for around 15 years. He works at a stone workshop and is a true character, as evidenced by his mischievous grin and playful demeanor, as seen in the photo of him holding his dentures.

Echo is like a large feline in his approach to work – he only works when he needs money and takes days off to rest and relax when his pockets are full. His lifestyle has earned him the nickname “Sultan Echo” since he lives like a sultan, sleeping when he’s satisfied and only working when he has to.

Personally, I love his approach to life. What a fantastic way to live – enjoying the fruits of your labor and only working when necessary!

Borobudur & Prambanan Temples of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

February 23rd, 2023

I have been wanting to go to the famous Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temple of Prambanan since my backpacking days. I have seen the temples in Bagan, Burma, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia and this was the last piece to the 3 sacred, must-see, sights of South East Asia. Needless to say, I was not disappointed!

Wandering around Prambanan I was like a kid in a candy store. I started off in the furthest, least impressive temple. It is my philosophy when seeing temples to always start at the least impressive first and build your way to the most impressive. This way you don’t start off with amazing and then just get disappointed with seeing everything else. (I think the reverse is true with food. I always start with the best and work my way to the worst). I love the feeling of an abandoned ruin. Walking alone up the steps and through the narrow temple doors you feel like you are the first person to step foot into the temple for the past 500 years, Marco Polo made a discovery for the world. It is an amazing feeling that only lasts until some tourist in sneakers comes into your picture frame when you are looking for that perfect shot! But the feeling is there…you are an explorer!

A magnetic Ganesha statue I fell in love with inside one of the temples of Prambanan

I am a huge Pink Floyd fan. They have a famous live recording of them playing in the ruins of Pompei, Italy. Walking around Prambanan that first day I had the soundtrack to this playing in my mind…..I could literally hear Richard Wright belting out the crescendo in the epic song, Echoes as I climbed over the rocks and surveyed the temple!

Sunrise bathing Borobudur temple in its misty, pink glow. After 25 years of wanting to go, I finally laid eyes on it!

The next day I woke up at 4 am to catch the sunrise peak over the horizon and bask in its light on the Buddhist temple of Borobudur. It was amazing! The whole complex is set up like a mandala (a Buddhist depiction of the universe) with a huge stupa in the middle with 18 huge stupas surrounding it. The stupas were enormous and impressive, each containing a Buddha statue inside the stupa. There were 4 levels to the temple, each containing a story from either the Buddha’s life or the Ramayana epic. The carvings were all absolute masterpieces.

It is an amazing thing when you get to experience something that you have been waiting for for over 25 years! It is good to know that there is still some adventure out there, you just have to get out there and discover it!

New Shipment of South Indian Bronze & North Indian Brass Just Arrived! June 17th, 2019

We have just received a new shipment of our hand made, panchaloha, lost wax method, bronze cast in South India as well as brass statues hand crafted in North India. Our stocks were getting low so we are so happy to have more statues to offer you!

They will be posted in the coming weeks and months as we slowly unpack them and post them on the website.

Here are the links to where they will be posted.

New Arrivals ~ we post new statues daily!

South Indian Bronze

Indian Brass

If you are searching for something specific please don’t hesitate to email me at kyle@ lotussculpture.com to ask me if we have it. We just may!

Below are some pictures of what we have so far:

One 40 foot container filled with 169 boxes!

15 Saraswati Mantras for Appeasing the Hindu Goddess

White makrana marble saraswati statue — View all our Saraswati statues

Here are 15 of the most popular Saraswati mantras that are widely used by students to score high in exams. It is believed that students, who after working hard failed to succeed in exams and these mantras, have helped them to attain their goal.

The Hindu Goddess Saraswati is known as the mother of Vedas and of knowledge, music, craft, wisdom, arts, and auspiciousness. It is believed that appeasing Saraswati by chanting Saraswati mantras will remove all the obstacles that one will encounter during his or her career or education. Saraswati is known by different names, such as Vak Devi, the goddess of speech, and Sakala Kaladhistatri, goddess bestowing all the arts.

1. Bija Mantra of Saraswati

Aum
Aing Saraswathye Namah
Aum

Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Saraswati

2. Vidya Saraswati Mantra for students: This sloka is found to improve memory, power and concentration in studies.

Saraswati Namasthubhyam
Varade Kamarupini
Vidhyarambam Karishyami
Siddhir Bavathume Sadha

3. Saraswati Vandana

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa,
Yaa shubhravastraavritha
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara,
aa shwetha padmaasana
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara
prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee
Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa

Meaning: May the Goddess Saraswati protect me. She is fair like the jasmine-colored moon, and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops. She is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful armrests the veena, and whose throne is a white lotus. She is surrounded and respected by the Gods. Please remove my weariness, sluggishness, and ignorance.

4. Maha Saraswati Mantra

Om
Aing Maha Saraswatyai Namah

Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Maha Saraswati

5. Saraswati Mantra

Shuklaam Brahmvichaar
Saar Paramaadyaam Jagadvyaapineem Veennaa Pushtak
Dhaarinneebhamay Daam
Jaad Yaapandhkaaraapahaam
Haste Sfatik Maalikaam Vidhateem
Paramaasane Sansthitaam Vande Taam
Parameshwareem Bhagwateem Buddhi Pradaam Shaaradaam.

Meaning: I plead to Goddess Saraswati who is fair in color, the first and foremost divine energy, who is present in the world in the form of knowledge, who wields a Veena, Vedas, Sfatik rosary in her hands and one of whose hands is raised in blessing. She is the one who is capable of eliminating ignorance and bestow intelligence.

6. Maha Saraswati Mantra: This simple mantra is mainly used by students to make learning easy.

Om Aim Hrim
Kleem Maha Saraswati Devaya
Namaha

7. Saraswati Mantra to recite before study

Saraswathi Namasthubhyam,
Varadey Kaamarupinee
Vidhyarambham Karishyami,
Sidhir bhavathu mey sada

Meaning: O, Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations unto Thee. She is capable of fulfilling all my wishes. I request you to bestow thy blessings on me, before I start my studies.

8. Saraswati Mantra for Success in Education and Career

Om
Vageeshwaryae Vidmahe Vagwadeenyae
Dhimahe Tannah Saraswati Prachodayat

This mantra is also known as Gayathri of Saraswati

9. Saraswati Mantra

Saraswati Mahabhage
Vidye Kamalalochane
Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi
Vidyam dehi namosthuthe

Meaning: Oh great Goddess Saraswati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge. Oh, I request you to shower me with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that exist. She has large eyes, taking the form of the whole universe.

10. Saraswati Mantra for Acquiring Knowledge

Vad Vad Vaagwaadinee Swaha

11. Saraswati Mantra for Enhancing Intelligence

Om
Aing Hreeng Shreeng
Vaagdevyai Saraswatyai Namah

12. Saraswati Mantra for Wealth and Knowledge

Om
Arham Mukha Kamal Vaasinee
Paapaatma Kshayam Kaari
Vad Vad Vaagwaadinee Saraswati
Aing Hreeng Namah Swaaha

13. Saraswati Ashtakshara Mantra: This mantra comprises of the 12 names of Goddess Saraswati and it is advised that all knowledge seekers should practice it, to gain high and pure knowledge.

Pratham Bharti naam

Dwitaya tu Saraswati

Trutiya Sharda Devi

Chaturth Hansavahini

Pancham Jagatikhayata

Shasth Maheshwari tatha

Saptham tu Kaumari

Astham Bhramacharini

Navam Vidhyadhatrini l Dasham Vardayini

Ekadasham Rudraghanta

Dwadasham Bhuneshwari

Atani Dwadsho Naamami

Y Patcchrnuyaadpi

Nach Vidhna Bhav Taysa Mantra Siddhiker Tatha

14. Mantra for Knowledge: Reciting this mantra will increase the mental capability and will considerably increase the knowledge gain.

Om
Namo Bhagwati Saraswati Parmeshwari
Vaagvaadini Mam Vidhya Dehi Bhagwati
Bhans Vaahini Hans Samarudha Buddhi
Dehi Dehi Pragya Dehi Dehi
Vidhya Parmeshwari Saraswati Swaha

15. Mantra for illumination: This mantra is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati to illuminate the minds of knowledge seekers.

Maho
Arnah Saraswati Pracheyati Ketuna,
Dhiyo Vishwa Virajati

View All Our Mantras to Hindu Gods
including English and Sanskrit translations

10 Kali Mantras	15 Saraswati Mantras	3 Ganesha Mantras
6 Murugan Mantras	8 Krishna Mantras	7 Hanuman Mantras
3 Lakshmi Mantras	7 Vishnu Mantras	5 Shiva Mantras

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