Valampuri

The Dakshinavarti Shankha is also known as Lakshmi Shankha and Valampuri Shankha. This rare, highly auspicious and much coveted Shankha also belongs to the same species as the regular Shankha known as turbinella pyrum but opens to the left - sinistral. Hence this species is called sinistral turbinella pyrum. It is a genetic cousin of the regular Shankha - opening the other way. Hence theValampuri can come in as many sizes, shapes and varieties as the regular Shankha. Some people who have bought just one Dakshinavarti in their life and might have seen a few pictures on the net talk like experts and start doubting these varieties and claim that each line or mark on a Valampuri is either a crack or glue or resin mark of a fake.

The true Dakshinavarti Shankha has the three or more horizontal lines at the inside center opening. The Valampuri is the favourite of Goddess Lakshmi and it is considered very auspicious to keep this Shankha in Pooja for all round prosperity. This is very difficult to get and the price is quite high and varies.

Please note that these Shankhas are caught by fishermen who dive into the sea and catch them. After that they sell them to major Shankha dealers. When conches are collected from the sea they all have a dirty olivaceous green to gray covering scientifically known as 'Periostrachum'. It is of the conch protein called as 'Conchin'. Function of 'Periostrachum' is to protect conch from any minor fractures. It acts as a binding covering and helps conch animal to retain the conch in the course of repairing of fracture. The animal repairs its minor fractures.

Apart from displaying the Valampuries, the following are the services provided by us:

a) A guarantee certificate with the actual picture attested and a clear money back guarantee if proved tampered or fake.
b) X-ray of the Shankha.
c) Lab report of Shankha tested for contents.
d) Authenticity certificate by a highly qualified scientist who is an Shankha expert.
So you can be 100% sure that each Valampuri is 100% tested.

Benefits of Right hand Lakshmi Shankh

Brings prosperity and abundance to the worshipper's house.

Goddess laxmi was born from the milk sea when Sura and Asuras are crunched the Sea for Amrutham. Among the born persons and items are Chandra , Dhanvantari, kalpavrukham, Kamadhenuvu, poison etc. But all the other items born in that sea are being called the brothers and sisters of all the above furnished persons and things.

When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the world and the Truth behind it.

As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas.

All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.

It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas) of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.

Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.

Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.

The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness. It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.

Shaman's voice: The sound of the conch shell is very mesmerising. If you have heard a good one, then you will know what I mean. And it catches your attention. In a crowded temple, with thousands, the conch sound indicates that the arati is being done.

So, at a temple, when the mangalarati is being done, everyone is looking at the Lord, and that time the conch is blown so that for a brief time, we are seeing Divine and hearing Divine.

And, like the other answerers have said, it somewhat resembles the Om sound. It is similar to the Anaahata Naada, unheard sound. This sound is felt (not heard) by yogis in their meditation, a deep constant hum.

Puranic Evidence

All of us also know that biologically, it is the shell of a sea creature living in the sea. We also know that it is constituted of calcium silicate and a container made of that is good for contents.

But coming to its theological associations, it commences with the koormaavataar! According to the Bhagavathapurana, the Holy Conch Panchajanyam came out during the great churning of the mythological Milk sea (Ksheeraabdhi) in search of nectar (Amruta) by both the devils and angels.

The inner meaning of the episode, as explained by elders, is when one churns his mind with thoughts, both the good and evil thoughts spring up and when one takes efforts continuously with his Aatma sakthi (representing the inner soul, a representative of Almighty in each) to filter the evils, gradually the good prevails over the evils like the nectar coming out.

That philosophy apart, coming back to the conch associated with us, the sound coming out of conch when air is blown through it resembles that of omkara (Pranava), which is nothing but the resultant of the vector addition of the forces generated by all sounds in the universe.

The conch is not easily spoilable. Its colour represents the purity of the good beings. The inner design of the conch is so very intricate like that of our inner organs, yet, it produces a sound that is powerful enough to jerk or rekindle us. Like wise, though our lives are complicated we are capable of producing virtues, not withstanding complications.

Seeing thus the metaphoric similarities, the vedic dharma should have given a prominent place in our way of life to the conch, so that a person, despite his shortcomings, is always reminded of his greatness (Aatmasakthi).

We learn from Puranas that when Asuras and Devas churned the milky ocean for nectar, Shanku came out between other holy objects and was kept by Sri Mahaavishnu on HIS left hand. It is used in all religious occasions - it is blown through its sawn-off point during a religious occasion, at the birth of a baby, during marriage or even before a battle as an invocation to a deity. The intensity of the sound produced by the conch shell depends on the spirals and volume of the conical shell. The sound imparts a soothing effect, vibrates the atmosphere and drives away the evil forces.

Conch has been revered and held high in Hinduism since the time of yore. We learn from Puranas that when Asuras and Devas churned the milky ocean for nectar, Shanku came out between other holy objects and was kept by Sri Mahaavishnu on HIS left hand. It is used in all religious occasions - it is blown through its sawn-off point during a religious occasion, at the birth of a baby, during marriage or even before a battle as an invocation to a deity.

A Hindu legend in Brahma Vaivarta Purana recalls the creation of conchs: god Shiva took a trident from shri Vishnu and flung it towards the demons, burning them instantaneously. Their ashes flew in the sea creating conchs. Shankha is believed to be a brother of Lakshmi as both of them were born from the sea.

Sacred Conches:



The purport is that the conchshell Pancajanya of Lord Krishna and the conch shells Devadatta, Paundram, Anantavijaya, Sughosa and Manipuspaka of the five Panadvas are renowned and famous; but in the army of Duryodhana there are no famous conch shells with any names. The point is whoever has aligned themselves with the Supreme Lord Krishna as their protector, undoubtedly without question will always be victorious. Then the warriors of the Pandava army began to sound their conch shells. Sikhandi is the son of Drupada who was born out of penance especially to slay Bhishma. Dristradyumna was born from a fire sacrifice especially to slay Drona. Satyaki was invincible like Arjuna never knowing defeat. So this verse is indirectly revealing to Dhritarastra that he should not entertain any ideas that his son Duryodhana will be victorious in the battle even with the assistance of Bhishma and Drona.