Dakshinavarti Shankh

Vamavarti & Dakshinavarti Shankh – Meaning, Uses & Differences

In Hinduism, Shankha has been regarded as a sacred article. Iconographers commonly depict deities holding a Shankha in their hand. The uses of Shankha are manifold – it brings prosperity & auspiciousness, is used as a significant tool in Tantra, used to worship deities, in aeons, Shankha was played before initiating anything, and in Ayurveda, its powder is used to treat diseases.

As per Puranas, Shankha came into existence during the Samundra Manthan (ocean churning). Oceans in different regions like Andaman Nicobar, Arab Sagar, Maldives, Prashant Mahasagar, and Sri Lanka produce natural Shankha.

Interestingly, worldwide, over fifty thousand varieties of Shankha are available, out of which 90% are Vamvarti Shankhas and 10% are Dakshinavarti Shankhas. The difference between Vamvarti and Dakshinavarti Shankha is that the Dakshinavarti Shankha is open from the right side, and Vamvarti Shankha is open from the left side.

In simple words, the Dakshinavarti Shankha is easy to hold with the left hand, and Vamvarti Shankh is easy to hold with the right hand. People chiefly use Dakshinavarti Shankh to offer water, not to play.

Benefits of Dakshinavarti Shankha:

• People use Dakshinavarti Shankha as the symbol of Lakshmi and mainly for worshipping Lakshmi. It brings ample wealth, prosperity & abundance. He who owns a Dakshinavarti Shankh remains free from financial problems, lacks, and loans.
• Furthermore, it eliminates poverty, negativity, evil energies, and diseases.
• People use this pious Shankha to send offerings to the ancestors.
• Moreover, drinking water from this Shankha is quite beneficial for a pregnant lady and her child.
• It makes married life heavenly and grows family love.
• It treats many diseases and improves health.
• Sprinkling its water removes the evil eye.
• It also dispels malefic effects of planets.
• One can control Vastu effects to a great extent by placing a Dakshinavarti Shankh in the house.