Valampuri Shankha, Dakshinavarti Shankh Lakshmi Shankha

The Dakshinavarti Shankha comes in many sizes and shapes. The following pictures will give you an idea of the vast range. As it is very rare, even the major Shankha dealers have only a limited knowledge about it. They all talk about their "expertise" and give all kinds of technical details. Their technical arguments are very positive when they are selling it and are very negative when someone else is selling one! Fact is that, in a lifetime even the major Shankha wholesalers may deal with just about 30 or 40 Dakshinavartis. So their expertise is indeed very limited to what they have seen. You can't be a Rudraksha expert or a Diamond expert by dealing in just 50 of them. Right?! The only way to test it really is by X' Ray photography. I have started a collection of all available pictures of it from various sources so that there is some kind of a reference source.

All genuine Valampuri Shankhas are Holy items associated with Goddess Lakshmi. However based on size, looks and rare features they are classified as follows:

Jewel quality: This type Valampuri has a very good luster, very neatly shaped and very beautiful to look at.

Rare quality: Normally Valampuris have 3 to 5 circular rings (called sutures) on the head portion and 3 to 4 horizontal ridges (called pilae) on the opening cavity. Valampuries with more than 5 sutures or 5 or more pilae are classified as rare quality Shankhas.

Based on sizes and weight the Valampuri Shankhas can be classified into five categories.

1) Mini Size : 2 to 3 inches in length, about 1 to 1-1/2 inch width and weight 25 to 50 grams. The shell is very thin so most people don't take the risk of cleaning or polishing this mini ones. So it is mostly sold with skin. the whrols (circular rings) on the conch head are also not well developed in this size.

2) Small Size : 3 to 4 inches long, 2 to 2-1/2 inches wide and 100 to 150 grams in weight.

3) Medium Size : 5 to 6 inches long, 2 to 2-1/2 inches wide and weight about 250 to 400 grams. This is the most commonly available size.

4) Large Size : 6 to 7 inches long, 2-1/2 to 3 inches wide and weight 500 to 800 grams.

5) Giant Size : 8 to 10 inches long, 3-1/2 to 4 inches wide and weight range 1000 to 1500 grams.

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LNHM

Dakshinavarti Shankhas - with skin

As the Dakshinavarti Shankha is rare, costly and fragile, many people dare not to get it polished out of fear of damaging it. Shankha polishing is mostly done by machine polishing known as buff polishing.

G D NRM

Dakshinavarti Shankhas - semi cleaned/semi polished

The above are the semi cleaned/polished Dakshinavarti Shankha pictures.

Shankha marked "D" is a verity known as Dwaraka Dakshinavarti.

Shankha marked G is known as Gauri Dakshinavarti

Shankha marked "NRM" is the picture of the Dakshinavarti Shankha kept in the Nepal Royal Museum.

Dakshinavarti Shankhas - fully polished

The fully polished Dakshinavartis are definitely a lot more beautiful

Some people decorate and cover part of the Dakshinavarti Shankha with gold or silver plating. See 2 pictures, including an ancient 800 years old one from here.

See the fake Dakshinavarti Shankhas and beware.

Om mahadevyai cha vidmahe vishnupatnyaicha dhímahi tanno Lakshmí prachodayaat
Om Panchajanyaya vidmahe padma garbhaya dhimahi tanno Shankha prachodayaat

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