What the surface is made of
Your murti is cast in bronze and finished by hand with a patina sealed under a thin layer of wax. The bronze is stable and does not mind water or ritual. What changes over the years is the patina and the wax on top of it: they give the surface its depth, and they are what you are caring for.
Everyday care
Keep the murti away from direct rain, sea air and long hours of strong sun. Wipe away dust with a soft dry cloth or a soft brush. Household cleaners and metal polish will strip the patina, so do not use them.
Abhishekam
Your murti is made to be worshipped, touched and bathed. After each abhishekam, rinse it with clean water and dry it carefully with a soft cloth. Do not let milk, yogurt or honey dry in the crown, the ornaments or the fine recesses, where they leave a visible film.
With repeated bathing and gentle wiping, the raised details grow lighter while the recesses keep their darker tone. This contrast develops through worship and makes each murti’s surface its own. It is not a defect.
What to avoid
Lemon, tamarind and other acidic substances remove the patina and expose the bare bronze beneath. If you want to keep the original surface, do not use them. Turmeric may leave a warm yellow trace in recessed details.
The patina over time
The surface your murti develops through worship is its own, and we leave it that way. If something about the surface worries you, write to us with a photograph and we will advise.