Krishna Marble Murtis

Krishna in the home mandir

Krishna is worshipped in many forms, from the playful child of Vrindavan to the divine teacher of the Bhagavad Gita. Families often choose the form that is closest to their own devotion, and many households keep a Krishna murti at the centre of their daily puja, bhajans and festival celebrations such as Janmashtami.

Common forms of Krishna in marble

• Bal Gopal or Laddu Gopal: the infant Krishna, usually shown crawling on hands and knees, often holding a laddu. Many devotees care for this form like a child, with daily bathing, dressing and bhog.
• Murlidhar: Krishna standing with his flute, traditionally in the tribhanga pose, with the body gently curved at the neck, waist and knee and one leg crossed in front of the other.
• Govardhandhari: Krishna lifting Govardhan hill on one finger, a form associated with protection and with Govardhan Puja.
• Krishna with a cow or calf, recalling his life as a cowherd in Vrindavan.
• A peacock feather in the crown is one of the most recognisable details and appears in most traditional depictions.

Dressing and ornamenting a marble Krishna

Many devotees dress their Krishna murti in poshak (clothing), a crown and jewellery, and change these for festivals. If you plan to do this, it helps to choose a murti whose proportions suit ready-made poshak sizes, and to ask how the hands and flute are carved so that garments can be fitted without strain on the stone.

What to consider before you enquire

Decide whether you want Krishna alone or with Radha, as a solo murti and a pair are usually proportioned differently. Measure your mandir, including the space needed for a crown or a raised flute, and think about whether the murti will be dressed or left with its carved clothing visible.