Large ghurra, churning stick holder, Nepal, 2nd half 20th century

For centuries, Nepalese mountain people have used the ghurra (churning stick holder) as a tool to churn milk into (clarified) butter. This ritual is based on the ancient Hindu myth, the Samudra Manthana: the churning of the primeval ocean by gods and demons. This myth not only tells the creation story, but also depicts the struggle between good and evil.

Through the use of the ghurra, the act of the churning process is transcended into a sacred event; the ritual confirmation of the Samudra Manthana. The churning process is 'darshan' for Nepalese, a sacred time of day to be blessed by their gods.

The decorations on the ghurras refer to the gods of the Hindu pantheon and are, as it were, the connecting signs with the elusive mystery of the universe. Ghurras are thus an expression of a transcendent reality hidden under the veil of the observable reality.

Ghurras have a round shape at the bottom that represents the sun disk (chakra), symbol of Vishnu, the patron god of the country and people of Nepal. The solar disk represents the miraculous power of the universal soul, which creates, sustains and destroys in all spheres of the universe.

On the sun disk is a usually vertical rod in lingam shape, symbol of Shiva (the god of destruction and re-creation). The bar is made up of symmetrical figures with symbolic elements. No detail in the execution is a personal invention, everything has a ritual meaning.

For information about the ghurras, use has been made of the exhibition catalog published in 2004: Ghurras, gods from the Himalayas - Nepalese folk art. Composition and editing Annemarie De Gendt and Paul De Smedt.

This is a large copy. Look closely at the photos for the condition which is quite good.

Length: 34.7 cm
Weight: 560 grams
Origin: Nepal
Date: 2nd half of the 20th century