Caring for Your Murti
A hand-sculpted idol is strong, but it is not indestructible. A few minutes of care keeps it whole from the day it arrives to the day of visarjan.
- 1
Unpack it where it will stand
Open the box at floor level, near the spot the murti will occupy. Most damage happens while carrying an unwrapped idol across a room.
- 2
Lift from the base, never the limbs
Take the weight under the base with both hands. Arms, the trunk, the crown and any raised weapon are the thinnest points and will take the strain first.
- 3
Give it a flat, dry seat
A level wooden chowrang or table is ideal. Avoid a wobbling surface, a cloth that can slide, and direct contact with a damp floor.
- 4
Keep it out of sun and rain
Long direct sunlight fades hand-mixed colour. Damp softens clay and can lift paint. A shaded indoor spot suits every material we make.
- 5
Dust it, do not wash it
A dry, soft cloth or a clean brush is enough. Water, soap and cleaning liquids will dull the paint and, on clay, begin dissolving the surface.
- 6
Decorate without adhesive
Drape and tie ornaments rather than gluing or taping them. Tape lifts paint when it comes off, and glue leaves a mark that cannot be repaired.
Shadu Mati — clay
Made to return to water. It dissolves cleanly, and a bucket or drum at home works as well as a water body.
Plaster (POP)
Dissolves slowly. Many cities ask for an immersion tank rather than a river or lake — please follow whatever your municipality has arranged that year.
Fibre and dashboard idols
Not made for immersion. These are kept, cleaned and brought out again next year.
If something breaks
Message us on WhatsApp with a photo before you try to repair it yourself. Some breaks we can guide you through, and some we would rather fix ourselves.
Send us a photo