Hyderabad timber firm crafts Garuda Vahanams, used two centuries-old Burma teak wood

Myanmar craftsmen have created a pair of intricately carved Garuda Vahanams for the Ammapalli Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple’s Garudotsavam. Made from two-century-old Myanmar teak, the 400-kg structures were crafted after extensive research into Garuda’s mythology and iconography

Hyderabad: Master craftsmen from Myanmar have carved a pair of ‘Garuda vahanams’ ahead of the ensuing Garudotsavam at the Ammapalli Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Shamshabad, in December.

Anuradha Timber International in Bowenpally took responsibility for carving the Garuda Vahanams, based on mythological texts about Garuda, the celestial vehicle (vahanam) of Lord Vishnu. Anuradha Timber International had earlier crafted teak doors for Ayodhya Ram temple.

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Chadalavada Sharath Babu, Managing Partner of Anuradha Timbers, told ‘Telangana Today’, that for crafting a pair of Garuda Vahanams, weighing about 400 kg, two centuries-old Myanmar teak wood was used. “Long back, we purchased this Myanmar teak wood and kept it in our workshop at Bowenpally to craft doors and other wood-related work for the temples,” he said.

Before beginning craft work, extensive research was done exclusively on Garuda, Sharath Babu said. One team visited temples in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the National Museum in Delhi, studied Garuda, found related sculptures in some temples and went through ‘Garudopakhyanam’.

“After the research, a 10-page document was prepared, which contains the face, head, crown (Kirita Makuta), wings (feathers), thighs and legs, serpents (nagas) and other parts. For study and research, we took nearly two years,” he said.

Master craftsmen from Myanmar came to Hyderabad and took almost one and a half years to craft the pair of Garuda Vahanams, according to Sharath Babu.

Infographics: Garuda Vahanam and highlights

Crown: Serpent Shankachuda adorns Garuda’s hair, wrapping around his head like a tiara

Earrings: Twin serpent kings, Padma and Mahapadma, hang from his ears as dangling earrings

Necklace: Fierce serpent Karkotaka rests around his neck, acting as a powerful necklace

Sacred Thread: Serpent king Vasuki stretches diagonally across his torso, forming like Yajnopavita

Belt: Dreaded, multi-hooded cobra Takshaka wraps tightly around his waist, serving as his hip belt.

Bracelets: Cosmic serpent Adishesha binds his left wrist, while serpent Gulika wraps around his right wrist like protective armlets