Wood Carvings

Wood carving sculpture is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel by two hands, resulting in a wooden figure. The making of sculpture in wood has been extremely widely practiced but survives much less well than the other main materials such as stone and bronze. Wood is an essential part of the architectural design of homes, palaces and temples, as well as other community places throughout history. Sandalwood, Rose wood and Softwood are commonly used by artists in making the wood sculptures. In ancient period, the Hindu temples were marvelously decorated with doors, ceilings and various fittings carved in teak and other kind of woods. A chariot used in the temples is taken out the deities in procession on festive days. The large rathas are miniature temples on wheels. They carved panels on this rathas are depicting gods and goddesses, and mythological tales. Wood-carving which was originally used for decoration of homes and temples, exists even today to meet the requirements of the religious institutions, as well as to caster to the growing demand for wood-carved furniture and panels.