Conch Shell,Shankh - शंख

Dakshinawarti Shankh/दक्षिणावर्ती शंख /Right Handed Conch Shell

            Conch shell-(शंख) has a special place in Sanatana Hindu worship. It is associated with Hindu culture from time unknown. Many Gods and Goddesses hold it in their hands but it is closely related to Vishnu and Lakshmi. There are descriptions about the emergence of "Shankh" (Conch shell) in "Puranas". One description is related to a demon king "Shankhasur" while other is to "Samudra Manthan" (Churning of Sea) by Gods and Demons. It is said that during "Samudra Manthan" many 'Ratna"(Precious Items) emerged from the sea. Goddess Lakshmi and Conch shell-(शंख) were two of them. So Goddess Lakshmi accepts "Shankh" as her brother. That is why respecting and worshiping it makes Goddess Lakshmi happy. Vishnu holds a Conch shell in one of his four hands.

                     There are mainly two types of Conch Shells on the basis of turnings. "Vamawarti" (Anti-clockwise) and "Dakshinawarti" (Clockwise).  

"Vamawarti Shankh" (Left-handed Conch-Shell)

Vamawarti Shankh/वामावर्ती शंख 

                  This type of Conch-Shell is used to blow for making a sound that resembles the holy sound of "Aum-ॐ". It is the sound that represents "Nada-Brahma". During the worship (Puja) and "Aarati" Conch-Shell is blown. In fact during the "Satyanarayan Puja," it is blown at the end of each chapter along with the charged slogan of "Bolo Satyanarayan Bhagawan ki Jai" (Hail the God Satyanarayana)  and hearing it the persons away from the place of worship make a hurry to reach there. After the worship, it is blown throughout the "Aarati" along with "Ghanta"(Bell).

                       In ancient times the Conch-Shells were blown at the beginning of a war. In "Sri-mad-Bhagwat-Geeta" there is a description of blowing of "Shankh" by Krishna, Pandavas and Kauravas at the start of the war. Each warrior had his personal "Shankha" with a proper name. The name of Krishna's "Shankh" was "Panchjanya" which he blew at the start of the war at Kurukshetra. This "Shankh" is also one of the four attributes of God Vishnu. 

                A "Vamawarti" (Left-handed or Anti-clockwise) Conch-shell infolds anti-clockwise from opening to its center. If it is kept on a surface with its opening upwards then the open end will be on the left of a viewer if seen from the head end. It means this type of "Shankh" can be held in left hand easily for use. 

                  "Shankh" used for blowing is prepared by making a hole at the center of its head end. To blow it this hole is pressed softly against the closed lips and the air is allowed to go between the lips into the hole with a vibration in the lips. The "Shankh" amplifies the vibration of the lips into "Aum" sound.
                "Shankh" is in fact shell of a snail-like creature found in the sea. It is harder and bigger than snails and is found in different shapes and sizes. A "Vamawarti" (Left-handed or Anti-clockwise) Conch-shell is the most common variety among all shapes and sizes. 
      Blowing "Shankh" is available online also at Amazon at this link. 

"Dakshinawarti Shankh" (Right-handed Conch-Shell)

Dakshinavarti Shankh

                  This type of Conch-Shell is rarely found and remains in much demand. It is not used to blow, only worshiped. Just like one faced "Rudraksha" which is worshiped as if it be Shiva Himself, similarly 'Right Handed Conch Shell' is worshiped as if it be Vishnu Himself. It is believed that keeping "Dakshinavarti Shankh" in the house near 'Puja Place' brings prosperity (Lakshmi). It is placed on a red cloth with its open end facing upward. Some people fill it with "Arva" rice. 
         Dakshinavarti Shankh is available online at Amazon at this link.
                   Conch-Shells are also used to pour holy water over God which is called "Abhishek". Such water has as much significance like "Gangajalam".
                     Conch-Shells are composed of mostly calcium carbonate and many types of items are made of it. One such item is "Shaankha-शांखा" which is a type of bangle. It is made by cutting Conch-Shell along cross-section and joining it to give a round shape. Such white bangles are worn by married women (Suhagins) in Bengal, Orrisa and Mithila. Shankha and Pola Bangles are also available online at Amazon. 

"Ganesha Shankh" (Ganesha shaped Conch-Shell)

Ganesha Shankh

                        Among the many varieties of Conch-Shells found in the sea, this one is also considered holy by Hindus. Used only for worshiping this "Shankh" looks like Ganesha with a trunk, crown and big belly. It has some thorny ridges. Since Ganesha is the first worshiped God (Pratham Pujya), this natural occurring 'Shankh' has a great significance. Worshiping or simply keeping it at 'Puja' place with honor keeps hurdles of life away. On Amazon, mostly metal Shankh (Show-pieces) are available at this link. Few Ganesha-Shankh is available at this link.


          Whatever be the type of "Shankh", it is important that it should be given good respect because Lakshmi accepts "Shankh" as a brother. Respecting it Lakshmi is pleased and showers her "Kripa" on the devotee otherwise She would be angry. Tapping of the hole with palm on a "Vamavarti Shankh" to clear the voice is taken as a disrespect and it should not be done. 

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