Antique puja bell decorated with Nandi, India

Antique puja bell decorated with Nandi, India.

Nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि), also known as Nandikeshvara or Nandideva, is the bull vahana (mount) of the Hindu god Shiva. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, Shiva's abode. Almost all Shiva temples display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. The Sanskrit word nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि) means happiness, joy and contentment, the properties of Shiva's divine guardian Nandi. Nandi is described as the son of the sage Shilada. Shilada performed long penance in order to have an immortal child blessed by Shiva, and received Nandi as his son. The Shiva Purana says that Nandi was born of a Yajna or Yagna (Sanskrit: यज्ञ, literally an act of devotion, worship, sacrifice in fire) performed by Shilada.

Bells are used at the beginning of puja or in Buddhist ceremonies. The puja bell creates a particular sound frequency that clears negative vibrations from the surrounding area.

Condition as shown in the photographs.

Height 19 cm.

Diameter at the base 8.5 cm.