This rare Shaligram naturally has the resemblance of Ganesha with the trunk turned towards the right; this formation represents the “Siddhi Vinayaka” form of Shaligram and is very auspicious for the practitioner of Yoga. This is a rare piece and invaluable due to its uniqueness. The eyes are man-made using paint to enhance the visual appearance of the Shaligram and can be erased if that’s preferred; otherwise, the stone is all natural.
Shaligram stones, believed to be the sacred form of Lord Vishnu, hold a unique significance in Bhakti Yoga as devotees consider them a tangible representation of divine energy. In the practice of Bhakti Yoga, Shaligram stones are revered for their natural formations, each bearing distinct markings that devotees interpret as divine symbols, fostering a deep connection with the spiritual realm. Bhakti yogis often engage in rituals and prayers with Shaligram stones, attributing spiritual potency to these ancient fossils found in the Gandaki River, embracing them as a powerful tool for devotion and communion with the divine.
Shaligram stones are fossilized ammonites, a type of extinct marine mollusk, found primarily in the riverbeds of the Gandaki River in Nepal. These stones are formed from the fossilized remains of ancient sea creatures that lived approximately 140 to 165 million years ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The unique spiral patterns on Shaligrams are the preserved shells of these ammonites. Composed mainly of calcium carbonate, they undergo natural fossilization processes over millions of years, often incorporating minerals from the surrounding environment, which gives them their distinct colors and patterns.