Image title: Shankha (Conch shell)

This image depicts one of the four emblems of Vishnu: Conch shell (shanka [=shankha]).—Battle trumpet, emblem of salvation and of the origin of all life which is dependent on water.

Notes: Vishnu has four primary emblems or attributes which express his functions and power. Occasionally, two of the four attributes are anthropomorphized and stand beside the god as small images. In that form they are called “helping men” (ayudha-purusha).

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.