Title
Branding stamp depicting a conch
Year/Period
19th-20th centuries
Region
West Bengal or south India
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: L5.5 x H4 cm
Accession No.
1995-03383
Collection of
The Shri Vaishnava of Tamil Nadu and Gokul Sampradaya of West Bengal practice a branding ritual. This is a branding stamp depicting Vishnu's feet. Stamps such as this, are used to initiate new Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) to the fold. Heated shankha and chakra (conch and wheel) stamps are pressed against newly initiated male devotee's left and right shoulders respectively but placed gently on the shoulders of women and children by the head monk. On the male, it leaves a clear mark while on the women and children it wears off quickly.
