The making of holy statues (Photo Feature)

The Shiva Linga is a representation of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. It symbolizes the formless and limitless nature of Shiva, representing both creation and dissolution. The Lingam is typically depicted as an elongated oval-shaped stone or pillar, often with a cylindrical base called the yoni, symbolizing the cosmic womb.

This past week, I came across Mithilesh Kumar Santra’s Murti Kala Kendra, a statue shop in front of the west gate of Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu. Upon entering, I saw many designs of Shiva Linga and statues of different Hindu deities. They also make statues of humans, with photos as references.

The statues are made of marble, black stone, or red stone. Black stone statues cost double as ones made in red stone or marble. Eighteen-year-old Aman, who is helping his father with the business, says “I often see Lord Shiva in my dreams. He tells me to work hard and concentrate more on my work without worrying about the result.”

Making statues of people is also popular. A single statue of a human that’s made with marble weighs around 200-250 kg. It’s designed in India. Making precise detailing on statues requires big machinery and that’s the reason such designs are made in India and then brought to Nepal. It costs a minimum of Rs 70,000 to make a human half-body statue.

There are five different designs of Shiva Linga found at this shop, the prices of which range from Rs 50,000 to 75,000. The worship of the Lingam is an ancient tradition that dates back thousands of years and continues to be an integral part of Hindu spirituality and rituals. It’s believed that the Lingam embodies the essence of Shiva’s energy. Devotees worship Shiva Linga as a symbol of the divine power of Lord Shiva and as a means to connect with the universal energy.