Dhara Patra with Nandi Spout - 04

This copper, lost wax cast, Dhara patra is from South India. This is used for the devotional ritual of abhishekam, which involves the pouring of a liquid offering on a deity. With a Nandi (bull) as the spout, this Dhara patra was used for Lord Shiva, to pour offerings on a Shivalinga. Nandi is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vehicle (vahana) of the God Shiva. The Dhara patra comes with a handmade metal stand.
The size of the Dhara Patra is 4 x 4 x 5.25 inches. With the stand, it measures 4.5 x 4 x 10 inches.