-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
How expensive are Murthis?
- Thread starter Terese
- Start date
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
In India from less than a US dollar (for the terracotta ones). There is no upper limit. The costliest I know of is a 34 kg pure gold idol of Lord Vishnu, Sheshashayi (reclining on Sheshanaga), property of the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Lord Brahma rising from the navel weighs 4 kg. Kindly note that the traditional terracotta idols are more important than the costlier ones and are a must in Diwali (Deepawali - a line of lamps) Puja. These days we also get cheaper Chinese slant eyed idols.
Lord Brahma rising from the navel weighs 4 kg. Kindly note that the traditional terracotta idols are more important than the costlier ones and are a must in Diwali (Deepawali - a line of lamps) Puja. These days we also get cheaper Chinese slant eyed idols.
Last edited:
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Depends on what is available at your place (Sydney), check. You can also ask a Hindu friend visiting India to bring the type of idol that you want. What type of idol would you like to have? Vishnu standing, sheshashayi, Lakshmi Vishnu, Krishna, Radha-Krishna, Rama, Sita-Rama, Rama-Sita-Lakshman, Rama-Sita-Lakshman-Hanuman, etc. 
How expensive are Murthis?
I love my first born son, but a trade for two wooden Murthis would be more than I could pass up.
I love my first born son, but a trade for two wooden Murthis would be more than I could pass up.
From about a dollar to hundreds, it varies. On size, and on how common the deity is, and material. My own murtis cost around £25 each, I think, but I don't really remember. I have a resin murti of Lord Ganesha, metal (probably brass) murtis of Lord Murugan and Lord Shiva-Nataraja.
Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
Resin and plastic murits are probably the cheapest. Followed by brass and some types of wood. (Certain woods are rare and are very costly). Higher up on the scale are stone and bronze murtis.
ratikala
Istha gosthi
Namaskaram Terese ji
if you are thinking to buy Murtis of any kind please buy in a natural material , wood , stone , clay , brass or ashtadatu ,
buy from a temple or devotional shop not from a gift shop , you can often buy in temples or bookshops and prices range from a few pounds to thousands but for home use something small and simple is fine , but please do not buy Murtis untill you are sure that this is the right deity for you, as you canot discard them if you later change your mind , ....if you do you must find someone to take them and love them .
if you are thinking to buy Murtis of any kind please buy in a natural material , wood , stone , clay , brass or ashtadatu ,
buy from a temple or devotional shop not from a gift shop , you can often buy in temples or bookshops and prices range from a few pounds to thousands but for home use something small and simple is fine , but please do not buy Murtis untill you are sure that this is the right deity for you, as you canot discard them if you later change your mind , ....if you do you must find someone to take them and love them .
ratikala
Istha gosthi
PLEASE DO NOT BUY THESE ! , ...Murtis should be made for love not profit , it is fine and it is right that the craftsman should get a fair wage but it is best to buy murtis made in the traditional manner , this way all their mudras and atribues will be correct
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
You are right, Ratiben. Many a times 'murtis' and 'images' are made in a manner that is not conducive to devotion. These should be avoided. Some of the videos and books that we have in the market for Krishna, Ganesha or Hanuman make them into American or Japanse 'Superheroes' with all sort of opponents.
ratikala
Istha gosthi
namaskaram Aupmanyav ji
l am sad to agree , ...anything like this which trivailses any Deity form l am not so happy about , ...it used to be that traditionaly Deities were made by families who had long traditions as metal workers , stone or wood carvers so much like the painters of devotional lila they had been taught from a very young age the exact proportion and detailing of the Deity and how to represent each lila , ....now these traditions are dying out and being replaced on the mass market by poor examples made by copyists , ...l do not like that these crafts people are loosing the livlihoods that have supportrd their families for generations , ....
l am sad to agree , ...anything like this which trivailses any Deity form l am not so happy about , ...it used to be that traditionaly Deities were made by families who had long traditions as metal workers , stone or wood carvers so much like the painters of devotional lila they had been taught from a very young age the exact proportion and detailing of the Deity and how to represent each lila , ....now these traditions are dying out and being replaced on the mass market by poor examples made by copyists , ...l do not like that these crafts people are loosing the livlihoods that have supportrd their families for generations , ....
Thank you. I would never discard a murthi of Vishnu. He is my Lord. Love will come
And what is a Ashtadatu?
They sound very fine and expensive. How much would they be?
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Yes, they will be expensive (also depends on the size). They are available through e-Bay, Amazon and others on internet. They will be available at a much cheaper rate in India. I do not think there is a standard formula. Cheaper metals will predominate (which is OK with us as long as there are eight or five).
ratikala
Istha gosthi
mamaskaram Terese ji
difficult to say how much they will be but Ashtadatu small Deities might be twice price of Brass Deities , they do not seem to tarnish in the same way as brass, .....
you can usualy buy small brass home murtis (a little bit depends on the fineness if craftsmanship) for about £20.00 (UK£), you can buy cheeper but the detail is not so good , ...best place to ask is your local temple they will know the best place , and if they are available localy
difficult to say how much they will be but Ashtadatu small Deities might be twice price of Brass Deities , they do not seem to tarnish in the same way as brass, .....
you can usualy buy small brass home murtis (a little bit depends on the fineness if craftsmanship) for about £20.00 (UK£), you can buy cheeper but the detail is not so good , ...best place to ask is your local temple they will know the best place , and if they are available localy
Namaste
In the United States, there is absolutely no problem in being blessed to find a VERY nice murti, of metal, such a murti is not necessarily expensive at all yet be a made of metal(s) and of superb quality and attractive to devotion, less than $100 dollars.
Where I live in California, there are many places where murtis can be obtained of superb quality, in temple stores, also there are many Indian, Nepali and Tibetan stores that sell wonderful murtis, and ample websites that have wonderful collections, there are also "Oriental Artifacts, Antiques and Imports" type shops though murtis there are older and highly collectable and can cost 100's or 1000's of dollars.
There are certain type of "multi-metal" such as "nine metals" murtis that even if new can be a bit expensive, 100's of dollars if over 8 inches tall, and of course the older one's - let us say highly desired Medieval Cholas period and old South Indian metal murtis will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
But you may find absolutely beautiful Ganesha murtis of great quality metal fur your home, oh about 4 inches tall, for prices such as $40 dollars or less, Krishna is popular and a bit more but less than 60 dollars for high quality (modern). Nepali murtis are very, very nice quality but not expensive.
Those made, however, using the "lost wax" method can be expensive even if brand new since they will be unique - one of a kind due to the method. But these often have highly powerful aura. A new one could be $300 and older one $1300, and ancient one $30,000.
What can make a difference in price is the particular Deva or Devi - some are not as "common" and this fetch a higher price. Uncommon "style" even if common murti, can effect price.
For example, my personal murti is a Hanuman murti. A Hanuman murti is considered "common". But mine is not a common one, normally the Murti in this case that is "common" would be Hanuman holding club, or bringing Janjeevani herb (holding a "mountain"). But my Hanuman is a rare one of Hanuman is a special Brahmacharya mode with small skull cap and hands held out palms up and fingers tipped up almost touching but not in "namaskar" nor prayer hands - this form is not common, thus more expensive, mine I had taken possession of in India, He is also silver (silver itself) and stands 7 inches tall. In India in terms of rupees He is not "inexpensive", but dollars go further in India relative to the rupee, but I will say in the US this murti would sell for a high amount - but my murti also has "uncommon" endowment and "powers" (siddhis). This makes this Hanuman "much more expensive" also He is not modern, thus more expensive still.
So even a "common" murti might be expensive depending on "style". But common murtis are Ganesha, Krishna, Lingam, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, Durga... these would not be expensive but that does not mean they are not necessarily great quality - often they are and will be metal one's that cost less than $100 at 5 inches or under,, a very, very high quality let us say 12 inches might be even only $240.
But then, there are "uncommon". For example, twice I made a horrible mistake of NOT taking possession of an "uncommon" opportunitg: I came upon a Balaram Murti, solo from Krishna, of Balaram standing and holding a plowshare ready to "strike" up in the air like an axe with one arm, his eyes wild with honey mead from honey made from bees gathered from "poisonous flowers" ... all metal, fine method, possible lost wax method one of a kind, 7 inches, brassy and dark brown, old ... I didn't buy thinking "expensive". The worst mistake I have ecver made. I will probably NEVER see such a murti again, RARE - what a fool I am! The value today isn't the point, just to have such a murti would be the pleasure and not the value - but I suspect in terms of value tuday prubably thousands of dollars.
Another example of "uncommon" - a Surya on chariot with horse... thousands. $$$$.
I once could have taken possession, in India, of a complete South Indian style and very, very, very artistiic masterwork darkish metal (but not black) and old, each four inches and taller, of Sita-Ram-Laxman AND BHARATA (rare!) with Hanuman praying before Them - the arrows even were FINE... EXPENSIVE in rupees HUGE AMOUNT but... I could have. I mean I had the money. But I didn't. I thought "will it ship home and make it"? - the "set" was also heavy in weight. So I didn't.
The stupidist mistake of my life.
Do not ever do such a stupid thing and lose a chance of a lifetime. Even if you only think in terms of money - you should know, the investment will only INCREASE in value into the future.
I have many, also despite these two mistakes, I have been blessed with finding and taking possession of some amazing murtis. And my wife, has an amazing "collectiion" of Ganrsha. You WILL also find such gems. You will see.
Because all you have to do is WISH it so.
And your wish WILL be granted
In the United States, there is absolutely no problem in being blessed to find a VERY nice murti, of metal, such a murti is not necessarily expensive at all yet be a made of metal(s) and of superb quality and attractive to devotion, less than $100 dollars.
Where I live in California, there are many places where murtis can be obtained of superb quality, in temple stores, also there are many Indian, Nepali and Tibetan stores that sell wonderful murtis, and ample websites that have wonderful collections, there are also "Oriental Artifacts, Antiques and Imports" type shops though murtis there are older and highly collectable and can cost 100's or 1000's of dollars.
There are certain type of "multi-metal" such as "nine metals" murtis that even if new can be a bit expensive, 100's of dollars if over 8 inches tall, and of course the older one's - let us say highly desired Medieval Cholas period and old South Indian metal murtis will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
But you may find absolutely beautiful Ganesha murtis of great quality metal fur your home, oh about 4 inches tall, for prices such as $40 dollars or less, Krishna is popular and a bit more but less than 60 dollars for high quality (modern). Nepali murtis are very, very nice quality but not expensive.
Those made, however, using the "lost wax" method can be expensive even if brand new since they will be unique - one of a kind due to the method. But these often have highly powerful aura. A new one could be $300 and older one $1300, and ancient one $30,000.
What can make a difference in price is the particular Deva or Devi - some are not as "common" and this fetch a higher price. Uncommon "style" even if common murti, can effect price.
For example, my personal murti is a Hanuman murti. A Hanuman murti is considered "common". But mine is not a common one, normally the Murti in this case that is "common" would be Hanuman holding club, or bringing Janjeevani herb (holding a "mountain"). But my Hanuman is a rare one of Hanuman is a special Brahmacharya mode with small skull cap and hands held out palms up and fingers tipped up almost touching but not in "namaskar" nor prayer hands - this form is not common, thus more expensive, mine I had taken possession of in India, He is also silver (silver itself) and stands 7 inches tall. In India in terms of rupees He is not "inexpensive", but dollars go further in India relative to the rupee, but I will say in the US this murti would sell for a high amount - but my murti also has "uncommon" endowment and "powers" (siddhis). This makes this Hanuman "much more expensive" also He is not modern, thus more expensive still.
So even a "common" murti might be expensive depending on "style". But common murtis are Ganesha, Krishna, Lingam, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, Durga... these would not be expensive but that does not mean they are not necessarily great quality - often they are and will be metal one's that cost less than $100 at 5 inches or under,, a very, very high quality let us say 12 inches might be even only $240.
But then, there are "uncommon". For example, twice I made a horrible mistake of NOT taking possession of an "uncommon" opportunitg: I came upon a Balaram Murti, solo from Krishna, of Balaram standing and holding a plowshare ready to "strike" up in the air like an axe with one arm, his eyes wild with honey mead from honey made from bees gathered from "poisonous flowers" ... all metal, fine method, possible lost wax method one of a kind, 7 inches, brassy and dark brown, old ... I didn't buy thinking "expensive". The worst mistake I have ecver made. I will probably NEVER see such a murti again, RARE - what a fool I am! The value today isn't the point, just to have such a murti would be the pleasure and not the value - but I suspect in terms of value tuday prubably thousands of dollars.
Another example of "uncommon" - a Surya on chariot with horse... thousands. $$$$.
I once could have taken possession, in India, of a complete South Indian style and very, very, very artistiic masterwork darkish metal (but not black) and old, each four inches and taller, of Sita-Ram-Laxman AND BHARATA (rare!) with Hanuman praying before Them - the arrows even were FINE... EXPENSIVE in rupees HUGE AMOUNT but... I could have. I mean I had the money. But I didn't. I thought "will it ship home and make it"? - the "set" was also heavy in weight. So I didn't.
The stupidist mistake of my life.
Do not ever do such a stupid thing and lose a chance of a lifetime. Even if you only think in terms of money - you should know, the investment will only INCREASE in value into the future.
I have many, also despite these two mistakes, I have been blessed with finding and taking possession of some amazing murtis. And my wife, has an amazing "collectiion" of Ganrsha. You WILL also find such gems. You will see.
Because all you have to do is WISH it so.
And your wish WILL be granted
Last edited:
Thank you for such a lovely post! How can I spot these gems? What would a 'lost wax method' murti look like?
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Mohenjodaro Dancing girl, 2,500 BC, Vishnu-Lkshmi
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=i...X&ved=0ahUKEwilzayD5-7JAhXHBI4KHeaRBd8QsAQIQQ
Last edited: