Which Shankh Is Best? Types of Shankh and How to Blow One
Shankh types by spiral, use and material, how to blow one, and how many times. Our shankh are cast brass and aluminium, not natural conch.
There are two kinds of shankh by use: one that is blown at aarti, and one that sits in the mandir and is used to pour water. The best one for you is the one that matches your use, so decide that before you buy. One thing to know up front: the shankh on Vedikcraft are cast metal, in brass and aluminium. They are not natural conch shells.
How many types of shankh are there
People sort shankh in three ways: by material, by the direction of the spiral, and by use.
| Type | What it is | Usual use |
|---|---|---|
| Natural conch, left opening (vamavarti) | A sea shell with the opening on the left when the tip points up. The common kind. | Blown at aarti once the tip is cut to make a mouthpiece |
| Natural conch, right opening (dakshinavarti) | The same shell with the spiral reversed. Rare and costly. | Traditionally kept for pooja and for pouring water, not blown |
| Metal shankh | A shankh cast in brass or aluminium, the same shape every time | Kept in the mandir, used for abhishek water, or displayed |
Natural conch versus metal shankh
A natural conch is a shell. Each one differs in size and sound, and it can chip if dropped. A metal shankh is cast in a mould, so every piece of a design looks and weighs the same, and it does not break in a fall.
Our shankh range is metal only: 16 designs in pure brass and 5 in aluminium, from 1.2 to 11 inch, weighing 80 g to 4.34 kg. They are made for the mandir and for pouring water during abhishek. If you want a shankh mainly to blow, ask us about the specific listing before you order, or buy a natural conch with a cut tip from a puja shop where you can test the sound.
Blowing shankh versus pooja shankh
- Blowing shankh. Has an open, cut tip that works as a mouthpiece, and a clear hollow passage through the spiral. It is kept dry.
- Pooja or jal shankh. Used to hold and pour water or milk over an idol. The tip is usually closed. It often sits on a small stand so it does not roll.
Which size suits which place
| Size | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| 1.2 to 2 inch | On a pooja thali or beside a small idol |
| 3 to 5 inch | A home mandir shelf. The usual choice for pouring water in abhishek. |
| 11 inch | A temple or large altar piece. Check the weight before placing it on a wall shelf. |
A shankh usually sits with the bell and the diya. You will find both in our small pooja bells and pooja thali sets.
How to blow a shankh
This is the method for a blowing conch with a cut tip. It takes a few days of practice.
- Hold it right. Grip the shankh in your right hand with the opening facing up and away from you. Support it with the left hand.
- Set your lips. Press your lips together, tight at the corners, and place them over the hole at the tip. Do not put the tip inside your mouth.
- Buzz, do not puff. Push air through closed lips so they vibrate, the way a trumpet player does. Blowing plain air gives only a hiss.
- Breathe from the belly. Take a slow deep breath first. Start soft, then push harder to raise the sound.
- Stop if you feel dizzy. Rest between attempts. People with a heart or lung condition should check with a doctor first.
How many times should a shankh be blown
There is no single rule. In many homes it is blown three times at the start of aarti. Others blow it once, and some temples blow it before and after the aarti. Traditions differ by region, sect and family. Follow what your own household does, and treat your family priest as the authority.
Care and cleaning
After pouring water or milk, rinse a metal shankh inside and out and dry it at once. Milk left inside turns sour and stains. Raw brass can be brightened with lemon and salt, then rinsed and dried. Lacquered brass needs only a soft dry cloth. The full method is in our guide on how to clean brass.
