Katu-Sarkara-Yogam or Kadu Sarkarayogam is an ancient technique of Vigraha(idol) making following the directions given in Shilpa Sastras. There are only a few temples in India where the Vigrahas are made of off Katu-Sarkara-Yogam process
In this method, the idol is made of rare combinations of more than 108 material naturally available in six different steps:
- .Skeleton making Good quality wood like Sandal, Karigali, Deodar is chosen & different body parts are made of from the wood and joined together with copper wire and copper.
- Astabandha Lepa. Different types of materials like Jaggary, Thribvattapasa (gum obtain from trees), a resin obtained from different trees are powered & mixed in a specific proportions in oil & ghee and heated in an earthen pot to make a paste.
- Nadi Bandhana Fine fiber from coconut husk is used to resemble the nervous system of the Idol.
- Mrth Lepana: This is the most complex process. Soil from three types of land i.e dry, marshy & desert is collected. Each type of soil is mixed with specific kashayam(concoction ) & kept for 10 days. This mixture is mixed with Triphala Kasayam & kept for another 10 days. Then river sand is added to this mixture & different other material along with Ganga water is added. The mixture is added to a concoction of llippa tree and kept for 5 days. Thus a medicinal mud is created. This mud is applied to the skeleton of an idol to obtained the desired shape.
- Silk Fixing: Pure silk is wrapped around the idol with latex to give protection to the Mrth lepana.
- Kallaka Application: River sand, black sand, and gravel sand in equal proportion powdered for a month in concoction of Triphala, gum of Koovalam &plavu.This mixture is called kalkka. This kalkka is coated on the idol and also use for ornamentation and decoration. Application of sankhu (conch)powder is used to give the Vigraha a whitening look.
The Vigraha made from Katu-Sarkara-yogam cannot have Avishekam. Other Idols are used for Avishekam.
OM NAMO NARAYANA
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