Kerala (South India)
Brass and bell metal
This beautiful ritual bell with a ribbed handle is topped by a large Nandi finial. Bells play in an important role in anu puja (worship), especially when offering aarati (waving a camphor or oil lamp before the deity to ward off evil); the worshipper rings the bell with the right hand, holding the lamp in the left hand.
Nandi or nandin means rejoicing, gladdening. It is the name of shivas conveyance (vahana) the white bull, son of kashyapa and of surabhi. Nandii was probably a folk deity later incorporated into the brahamanic lore. Nandi symbolises on the one hand moral and religious duty (dharma) , and on the other, virility, fertility and strength. Apart from being shivas vehicle, nandi in his form as nandikeshvara, depicted as a human with a bulls head, is believed to be one of the great masters of music and dancing. In southern India his recumbent image is placed either opposite the main sanctuary or in the hall leading to it, facing the linga.
Size (cms): 23.5(H) x 13(Diam)
Size (inches): 9.5(H) x 5(Diam)
