{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Sculpted From 251 kg of Ghee Instead of Clay, Goddess Lakshmi Idol Stuns Sirohi Devotees",
  "summary": "Artisans from Gujarat spent seven days crafting a five-foot idol of Goddess Lakshmi using 251 kilograms of vanaspati ghee in Jawal town, keeping it chilled near minus one degree Celsius.",
  "content": "Devotees visiting the Sanchiyav Mata temple in Jawal town of Rajasthan's Sirohi district are witnessing a rare spectacle during the ongoing Navratri festivities. Instead of traditional raw materials such as clay, plaster of Paris, or stone, the sanctum features an intricately crafted divine tableau sculpted entirely out of ghee. The shrine, organised under the banner of the Sanchiyav Mata Temple and Shri Chamunda Garba Mandal, is showcasing Goddess Lakshmi seated gracefully upon a blooming lotus, flanked on either side by elephants with their trunks raised in reverent salutation.\n\nSeven Days of Meticulous Craftsmanship by Anand Artisans\nSpecialist sculptors travelling from Anand in Gujarat undertook the task of shaping this unconventional creation. Working tirelessly for an entire week ahead of the festive period, the team completed the entire setup in exactly seven days. Approximately 251 kilograms of vanaspati ghee went into constructing the five-foot-tall centerpiece and its surrounding court. The sculptors managed to etch fine jewelry, delicate facial contours, the multi-layered petals of the lotus throne, and the lifelike anatomy of both accompanying elephants directly into the solidified fat, demonstrating exceptional precision with material that softens quickly at room temperature.\n\nThe Intricate Process Behind Ghee Sculpting\nSculpting with fat requires methods fundamentally different from standard stone or clay work. The craftsmen first melted the vanaspati ghee completely under controlled heat. It was subsequently submerged and stirred across ice-cold water, forcing the liquid to crystallise rapidly into a workable, firm paste. The material was then gathered, strained, and compressed through fine cotton fabric to remove trapped moisture and establish the exact density required for carving. Only after achieving this specific malleability did the artisans begin etching the Goddess's ornate attire, ornaments, and facial features using specialized handheld tools.\n\nMaintaining Sub-Zero Conditions to Prevent Melting\nWhile building the idol demanded significant artistic ability, preserving its structural integrity over the full nine-day festival poses an equally demanding logistical challenge. Exposure to ambient warmth could easily cause the ghee to soften and lose its detailed contours. Organizing committee member Narayan Suthar explained that continuous cooling mechanisms are stationed inside the marquee to hold ambient temperatures around minus one degree Celsius. Blocks of commercial ice surround the perimeter of the pedestal, while air coolers operate using chilled ice water. Dedicated volunteers from the committee maintain round-the-clock vigil, spraying ice-cold water mist over the five-foot statue every thirty minutes to safeguard the artwork.\n\nA 23-Year Community Custom Born From an Ahmedabad Visit\nThis artistic custom in Jawal traces back to 2003, sparked when local organizers witnessed a temporary ice Shivling during a visit to Ahmedabad. Inspired by that display, the community decided to explore whether revered deities could be sculpted from ghee, a substance traditionally deeply rooted in Indian ritual life. Over the past 23 years, the town has witnessed 23 distinct representations, featuring deities including Jagdamba, Shiv Shakti, Nandi, and the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The overall expenditure for this year's installation totaled approximately 2 lakh rupees, which includes an artisan fee of roughly 50,000 rupees paid to the visiting sculptors from Gujarat.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis creative endeavor in Jawal demonstrates how festive rituals can blend inventive craftsmanship with eco-friendly devotion.\n\n• For Local Devotees: Visitors from Jawal and surrounding villages can witness a rare cultural art form free of cost. It offers an inspiring alternative to conventional clay and plaster decorative displays.\n• For Traditional Artisans: The event highlights viable livelihood opportunities and creative avenues for folk sculptors willing to master non-traditional media. Such experimental craft techniques often find patronage in broader exhibition circuits.\n• For Environmental Protection: The absence of non-biodegradable paints or insoluble plaster ensures water bodies remain uncontaminated following festival conclusion. Organic materials prevent siltation and chemical hazards typical of mass idol immersions.\n• For Community Bonding: Managing round-the-clock preservation shifts builds cooperative civic spirit among neighborhood volunteers and temple committees. The annual attraction also draws regional footfall, supporting small local trade around the shrine.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe tradition of carving deities out of edible fat emerged from an innovative cultural idea that the local community turned into an annual hallmark.\n\n• Inspiration From Ice Sculptures: In 2003, temple committee members visited Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where they saw a temporary Shivling carved entirely from ice. Intrigued by the concept, they explored using ghee as an indigenous, malleable medium for sacred art.\n• Sacred Symbolism of Ghee: Ghee holds a revered status in traditional rituals as an emblem of purity and auspiciousness. Developing a method to chill and shape it allowed the community to combine sacred symbolism with distinct visual appeal.\n• Unbroken 23-Year Legacy: The joint commitment of the temple trust and garba organizers established the event as an enduring fixture. This dependable patronage encouraged sculptors from Anand to hone their specialized cooling and carving techniques year after year.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What material was used to build the Goddess Lakshmi idol in Jawal?\nThe idol and its tableau were sculpted entirely out of 251 kilograms of vanaspati ghee rather than clay or stone.\n\n2. How long did it take to sculpt the idol?\nA team of artisans from Anand in Gujarat completed the five-foot-tall sculpture in seven days.\n\n3. How is the ghee prevented from melting in the pandal?\nOrganizers place large ice slabs around the altar, run coolers filled with ice water, and spray chilled water mist every 30 minutes to maintain temperatures near -1°C.\n\n4. What was the total expenditure for this setup?\nThe overall cost reached approximately 2 lakh rupees, including an artisan fee of roughly 50,000 rupees.\n\n5. When did this tradition begin in Sirohi?\nThe custom originated in 2003 after organizers were inspired by an ice Shivling in Ahmedabad, leading to 23 unique idols over 23 years.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/religion/mitti-nahin-251-kilo-ghi-se-garhi-gai-man-lakshmi-ki-pratima-sirohi-men-karigaron-ka-anokha-hunara-49290",
  "category": "Religion",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-18",
  "tags": [
    "Sirohi",
    "Jawal",
    "Navratri",
    "Lakshmi Idol",
    "Ghee Sculpture",
    "Sanchiyav Mata Temple",
    "Rajasthan Culture"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}