I am secular by nature. However, many of you are religious and will buy religious icons in and around Diwali. Here are a few of options, of varying price range. The most important criteria for my selection is worldwide delivery, which includes Shop & Ship. Many of you are in lockdown, so be safe and order online when you can. If you are concerned about breakage then definitely get insurance on your packages.
And from my personal experience, I love the varying forms of regional culture that are reflected in religious iconography. A Ganpati idol from Mumbai is vastly different in visual representation versus that from a North Indian Ganesha.
Flipkart!
Available on Flipkart for Rs 27,000. You will have to Shop & Ship. The seller describes this as , “One foot tall Ganesha statute with inlay handwork Vakratunda,Vinayak, Lambodar, Ganpati, Gajanan Decorative Showpiece – 33 cm (Brass, Gold, Red, Blue, Green)”
Lakshmi idol
Available on Flipkart for INR 7,500. This is a large idol at 20cm x 32cm x 15cm
Diwali gifts
The best place for Diwali gifts with a religious twist is hands down, Episode online. These range between INR 1,700- INR 9,700.
From left to right (clockwise) all available at Episode online
Silver Plated Laxmi Ganesh Math (INR 1,664), Silver Ganesh Geet Mandali (INR 9,638), Silver Plated Pooja Thali Shree (INR 4,057), Silver Plated Diya Lotus Jyot (INR 2,850) and Silver Ganesh Gopal (INR 8,918)
I found this adorable Ganesha and ten diyas for under INR 2,000. Available on Myntra
The high-end stuff
Daum are an old-fashioned French crystal maker. Every now and again, they will also release idols, whose appeal only increases over time.
The seller’s blurb is,” Each Daum Crystal art work creation is signed with “Daum France”. Pâte de cristal is a Daum speciality; a precious material that gives pieces a sculptural dimension and the quality of giving translucency to the forms it reproduces. Every single Daum crystal piece is hand-made and unique (no two Daum art pieces are exactly alike).”
From L to R
Ganesha (Limited edition of 1,000. Weights 2.76lbs!) US$ 2,110, Ganesh Blessing (Limited edition of 488. Weighs 5.6lbs) US$ 1,920, Lakshmi (Limited edition of 888. Weighs 2.2lbs) US$ 1,222, Mini Ganesh in Raspberry (Weighs 0.22lbs) US$230
Lladro
Lladro are a Spanish brand that make delicate procelain figurines. The best place to buy these figurines is in person, but as that is not an option, visit Lladro online for your closest stockist.
From L to R
Goddess Lakshmi Type 394 (SKU 01001966), Lord Ganesha Sculpture. Limited Edition (SKU 01002004), Goddes Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha Decorative Plates Set. Golden Lustre (SKU: 01009155), Goddess Lakshmi Lithophane (SKU 01017339), Lord Ganesha and Veena Ganesh Lithopane (SKU 01017318_01017390)