Kerala (South India)
Brass and bell metal
A lovely ritual bell with a Hanuman finial forming the handle. Hanuman is depicted standing with his hands in the Anjali Mudra gesture. He wears a short, pleated lower garment with ornaments, such as anklets, and a conical mukuta (crown). The long tail curves upward from his right hip. Bells play an essential role in any puja (worship), particularly during the offering of aarati, which involves waving a camphor or oil lamp before the deity to ward off evil. The worshipper rings the bell with their right hand while holding the lamp in their left hand.
The story of Hanuman is found in the Ramayana, where he embodies unwavering devotion and loyal service to Rama. Tasked with finding Sita, who Ravana had abducted, Hanuman leapt across the ocean to Lanka, discovered her captivity, and set the city aflame with his burning tail before returning to Rama with news of her whereabouts. Renowned for his strength, courage, and miraculous feats such as flying to the Himalayas to fetch healing herbs for Rama’s army, Hanuman remains the eternal symbol of selfless devotion.
