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Archive for September, 2009

Meenakari Jewelry

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

The enamel work done on a metal surface is known as meenakari. The word Meena stands for enamel and the work ‘kari’ is the art.
Meena (enamel) + Kari (the art) = meenakari (art of enameling)
To finish the reverse side of precious jewels, experienced craftsmen would enamel the product with various colors made of natural and treated substances.

Glass and other colored stones are crushed into very fine powder and prepared for enameling. Nowadays, chemicals including cobalt oxide, ferrous salts, copper salts and some other salts are used to enhance or create the color used in enameling jewelry. This is mixed in with various catalysts depending on the metal and color used.

This powder mixture is laid carefully in predefined boundaries of metal created by either soldering very fine outlines in gold or by hammering into the metal to create grooves where the color should fill in. The color is then ‘blown’ in by heat torches to melt and fuse in with the metal surface. The trick of the art is to get the heat to just the right temperature where it will melt and fuse the glass into the metal without over heating it and getting it foggy or over melting the surface of the metal.

The final effect of meenakari gives a look similar to stained glass paintings. This technique has further been evolved into thewa art work but the original version in itself looks gorgeous to b with. You can get a range of colors, textures, shades and looks with meenakari which would be otherwise impossible to create in jewelry.

Check out our gorgeous indian jewelry with one gram gold polish on shopnamaste.com.

By: Jewel Sutra

Posted in Indian Jewelry | 2 Comments »

Significance of Navarati

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

According to some scriptures, in ancient times, Durga Navratri festival was a special festival for the Kshatriyas. The four-month long monsoon season was a critical time to perform any type of military activity. Hence, the Kshatriyas start their activities for new conquests. Kings worship Navadurga, nine manifestations of the Mother Goddess, before 9 days of beginning their army activities. The tenth day of the puja was considered as the day to begin their journey towards the battle field.

Durga or the Mother Goddess is the Goddess of War and courage as per Hinduism. As Kshatriyas or Kings give more preference to courage and war, Durga was considered as their Kul Devata. Ayudha Puja was one of the most celebrated events during Navaratri in ancient times of Kings and Kshatriyas. Kings perform Ayudha Puja on Durgashtami (eighth day) or on Mahanavami (ninth day) and moved forward to the battle field on Vijaya Dasami day.

In ancient times, during Durga Navarathri festival, animal artifices were also performed to please Goddess Durga.

Durga Devi Sharan Navratri Puja is celebrated in Ashwayuja masam (Ashwin month) which usually falls in September or October months. Durga Navratri starts on Ashwayuja Shukla paksha Padyami with Kalash Sthapana and ends on Ashwayuja Shukla Dashami (Vijaya Dashami or Dasara).

Dates of Durga Navratri Puja in 2009:

Maa Shailputri:- First Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Kalasha Sthapana (Ghatasthapana) – Prathami Puja or Padyami Puja – Installation of earthen pot – Ashwayuja Shukla Padyami (Ashwin masa Shudda Prathami) – September 19, Saturday.

Maa Brahmachaarini:-Second Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Preethi Dwitiya (Preeti Vidiya) – Ashwayuja Shudda Dwitiya - September 20, Sunday.

Maa Chandraghanta:- Third Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Sthana Vriddhi Gauri Vrata – Ashwin Masa Shudda Tritiya (Aswayuja Shukla Thadiya) – September 21, Monday.

Maa Kushmaanda:- Fourth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Bhouma Chaturthi – Ashwin Masa Shudda Chaturthi (Ashwayuja Shukla Chavithi) – September 22, Tuesday.

Skand Maa:-Fifth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata (Sri Lalitha Panchami or Maha Panchami) – Ashwin Shudda Panchami – Septemeber 23, Wednesday.

Maa Kaatyayini:- Sixth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – September 24, Thursday.

Maa Kaalratri:- Seventh Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Saptami – Ashwin Shudda Saptami – Triratra Vrata Aarambha Utsava Puja (Trirathrotsavam) – September 25, Friday.

MahaGauri:- Eighth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Durga Ashtami (Maha Astami) – Ashwin Shudda Astami – Sri Maha Durga Puja – Bathukamma Festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh – Goddess Saraswati Mata Puja – September 26, Saturday.

Maa Sidhidaarti:- Ninth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Maharnavami Puja (Maha Navami) – Suhasini Puja – Ayudha Puja – Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja – Ashwin Shudda Navami – September 27, Sunday.

Tenth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Vijaya Dashami (Dussera / Dasara / Dussehra) – Mahishasura Vadha – Ashwin Shudda Dashami – September 28, Monday.

In some regions, Goddess Durga idol immersion (Durga Nimajjan or Durga Visarjan) is held on the day of Viajaya Dashami.

Check out all of our hindu deities at shopnamaste.com.

By: Total Bhakti

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Types of Polki Jewelry

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

At the time when very little was known about diamonds and imitations, every stone which was set in this technique fell into the category of ‘kundan’, but eventually, instead of diamonds some artisans started using glass in their products. Rubies, emeralds, sapphire and semi precious stones were already being set in the kundan form of jewelry. To add color to the products, enamel work was done wherever required which made it more appealing and better finished.

Gradually, the distinction of a diamond from the glass being used in these products was categorised by another technique called ‘polki’. Very little is known about when the word polki was used initially to describe uncut diamonds but when it was used, it came to define the kundan art that used uncut natural diamonds and ‘kundan’ itself was a word that was used to describe glass imitations of the same.

The technical difference between polki and kundan is that ‘polki’ uses real diamonds and kundan fancies ‘glass’ imitations of the same. Because kundan is more expensive, therefore the craftsmanship used in kundan products is more refined.

Browse through shopnamaste.com to take a look at some exclusive polki jewelry sets.
By: Jewel Sutra

Posted in Indian Jewelry | No Comments »

Indian Home Decor Tips

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

Lavish and eclectic, Indian home decor offers a path towards filling a home with warm colors, surprising contrasts, ornate patterns and rich textures. Add a bit of Indian spice to a room with a scattering of silk pillows and walls finished in a warm color or invest in a full-home makeover from furniture and fixtures down to accessories.

Palette
Warm and rich colors are key in Indian design. White is hardly seen at all, with earth tones and saffron assuming the role of being the neutral shade. Orange plays a major role here, especially shades like sunny mango and deep pumpkin. Red, purple, magenta and wine tones show up on everything from furniture finishes to carpets. There is room for cooler colors as well, such as turquoise and emerald jewel tones. Finishes may be elaborately painted or distressed, but they are rarely smooth and glossy.

Furniture
Indian home decor features bold furniture typically made of wood. A large chest of drawers, an open shelf or a canopy bed are classic elements. Look for furniture that contains eye-catching Indian details, such as panel insets with paintings or enamel designs; elaborate carving; bold color contrasts; mirrored panels; and medium-to-dark stains. A coffee table with a carved top might feature shelves underneath for stacking artifacts or art books. A chaise lounge may have a curved headrest that ends in scrolled wood. Use elegant pieces for storage, such as a rice chest, an ottoman or a shelf with several niches.

Accessories
Begin your accessorizing with textiles. Indian decor is not concerned with pieces that match but rather pieces that contain coordinating elements, such as fabric, motifs or small details like metallic thread. Look for paisley silk pillow covers, vividly dyed saris to use as throws and mosquito nets as canopies or window covers. Textiles often feature beading, fringe, small mirrors or appliques of contrasting fabric. Cushions are popular, too. Place them across beds, chairs and couches and scatter them on the floor or patio, too. Elaborate metal frames look perfect around mirrors, paintings and photographs.

Browse through shopnamaste.com for more home decor ideas.
By: Serena Makofsky

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Goddess Amba

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

Amba Ma or Divine Mother represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. Also called Durga, She protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego. She is a composite goddess who includes different elements of many Gods and Goddesses. She usually has eight arms, and carries the weapons of almost all the Deva. The trident is a symbol associated with Shiva, and it’s three points symbolize the creation, protection and destruction of the universe. She rides upon a lion which symbolizes that She possesses unlimited power and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil.

Other weapons in the hands of Durga such as a mace, sword, disc, and arrow convey the idea that one weapon cannot destroy all different kinds of enemies. Different weapons must be used to fight enemies depending upon the circumstances. For example, selfishness must be destroyed by detachment, jealousy by desirelessness, prejudice by self-knowledge, and ego by discrimination.

Amba Ma puja is held every Sunday evening in the temple. Special puja is held during Navratri and Dussehra.

Please check out our Goddess Amba statues on shopnamaste.com, also marble and fiber glass statues as well.

By: Hindu Samaj Temple

Posted in Hinduism | No Comments »