How to Identify Shaligram Stone, Types and How to Choose

Identification of Original Shaligram Shila Stone

Shaligrams are found only in the Gandaki River in Nepal. Thus many a times it becomes difficult to identify a genuine Shaligram from a counterfeit one. Unfortunately taking advantage of the high demand of original Salagrama Shilas, many traders deal in fake Shaligrams knowingly or sometime even unintentionally. Some traders even make fake Shaligrams using black cement; these are easily identifiable by an expert. Also please note that no two Shaligrams are identical so if someone is offering the multiple shaligrams which look identical then they are fake. Shaligrams which has carving of Naag, exact Chakra designs, lines, artificial holes or are of unusual color are also best avoided as they are most likely fake. Shaligrams with rough body should also be avoided as most Shaligrams from Gandaki River are smooth in nature.

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Tests to Identify Original Shaligram Shila Stones

Observation Test

Check the colour. Lustre, shape of the Shaligram. Real Shaligram Shilas will have uneven patterns which will be beautiful. Make sure if the design looks too “perfect” it may have been manufactured or carved in the stone. Many people will apply M-seal on the shaligram to hide carving marks so you can place the shila in hot water and rub your finger around the surface to check if any residue of M-seal come on your fingers

This test required prior experience with Shaligram Shilas. Devotees who have never seen an original Shaligram Shila may not be able to tell the difference

You can send us high definition images of your Shaligram Shila at contact@rudracentre.com or WhatsApp : +917021180033 and our expert will check if the Shaligram Shila is original or no

Gold or Silver Deposit Test

The gold or silver rub test is one reliable way to check the authenticity of a Shaligram as original Shaligram Shila Stone has high affinity to Gold & Silver. When a small piece of gold or silver is rubbed on the smooth surface of a Shaligram, particles of gold or silver stick to the surface and will look like smeared glitter on the original Shaligram stone shila.

The same may be true for some other stones with smooth surface as well but in case of a Shaligram the color which is left behind on the surface of the Shaligram is semi-permanent in nature because original/authentic shaligram has high affinity with these precious metals. In case of any other stone the color/deposit can be wiped away easily with the thumb or a cloth. On Shaligram the gold and silver deposit will stick with much vigor and one won’t be able wipe off the glitter easily.

It is highly recommended that a devotee makes the purchase from only a reputed and known dealer or organization who deals into authentic and genuine Shaligram Shilas. Devotees should educate themselves about how and from where the Shaligrams are sourced.

One may get the Shaligrams tested from reputed Geologist who may make them undergo Metallurgy and Carbon dating tests to figure out if stones are Fossilized ammonites OR Original Shaligram Shila Stones however this process may require a lot of groundwork research and money as well because these tests require expensive specialized equipment

It is best to purchase Original Shaligram Stone from a reputed organization like Rudra Centre.

Shaligrams may be worshipped by men and women, and all people of all religions alike. God is the all-pervading existence and there are no distinctions by Him. Only love, faith and gratitude are needed for blessings.

Shaligrams are an iconic representation of Lord Vishnu and one who worships them is blessed with peace, protection, abundance and manifestation of desires. Just as Lord Vishnu had many Avatars and forms and one who worships any one of them gets blessings from Lord Vishnu Himself, just so Shaligrams were categorized in many ways as devotees searched for marks and identifications to find which form of Vishnu they represent. But worship of any of them, would bestow the same blessings as that of any other. Ancient authentic references do not make distinctions among salagrama stones; any Salagrama-stone is taken as a visible representation of Vishnu. The salagrama-lore that seeks to identify the different stones and ascertain their worship-worthiness is obviously a part of the later puranic culture. Also in all the Puranas, the identifications are mentioned, but nowhere the benefits or the blessings of the different forms are mentioned distinctly, meaning very clearly that blessings that follow any form is equivalent the other.

Types of Shaligram

Shaligrams are primarily classified depending upon their marking and appearances. There are numerous types of Shaligrams, 24 types of Shaligrams are considered to be related to 24 incarnations of Vishnu, these are also related to the 24 Ekadashi fasts of the year. These 24 types of Shaligram representing 24 manifestations of Lord Vishnu as mentioned in the Skanda Purana are Keshava, Madhusudana, Shankarshan , Daamodara, Vaasudeva, Pradyumna, Vishnu, Maadhava, Ananta, Purushottama, Adhokshaja, Janaardan , Govinda, Trivikrama, Shridhar, Hrishikesha, Nrisimha, Vishvayoni, Vaamana, Naaraayana, Pundarikaaksh, Upendra, Hari, Krishna.

Then there are other Shaligrams which are classified as per markings on them which are associated with Lord Vishnu such as Chakra, Shankha, Gada and Padma. Identification and classification of an original Shaligram is difficult and subjective task. Details about various types of Shaligrams are given in varied scriptures such as Vishnu Purana, Garud Purana, Skanda Purana and many more.

Over time many other Shaligrams symbolizing other Deities as well got classified, some with scripture reference and some otherwise. Shaligrams are also found in different colors such as black, brown, blue, yellow; so, they are also classified as per their color and number of Chakras or holes present on them and more.

At Rudra Centre we source Shaligram directly from Nepal and our experts and team of well qualified pandits identify the names and types of these Original Shaligram Shila Stone

Mentioned below are some popular types of Shaligrams:

The most popular types of Shaligrams are the Dasavatara Shaligrams, these Shaligrams symbolize the ten most popular manifestations of the Lord Vishnu namely:

Matsya Shaligram
Kurma Shaligram
Varaha Shaligram
Narsimha Shaligram
Vaman Shaligram
Parasuram Shaligram
Rama Shaligram
Krishna Shaligram
Buddha Shaligram
Kalki Shaligram

Other benefits of Salagram Shila include:

Sudarsan Shaligram -Has one Vishnu Chakra on it
Laxmi Narayan Shaligram - Has two Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Achyut Shaligram – Shaligram with three Vishnu Chakra
Janardan Shaligram - Four Vishnu Chakra on it
Basudev Shaligram - Five Vishnu Chakra patterns on it.
Pradhyumna Shaligram - Six Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Shankarshan Shaligram - Seven Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Purushottam Shaligram - Eight Vishnu Chakra has patterns on it
Navavyuha Shaligram - Nine Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Dashavatar Shaligram - Ten Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Aniruddha Shaligram - Eleven Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Ananta Shaligram - Twelve Vishnu Chakra patterns on it
Paramatma Shaligram - Thirteen Vishnu Chakra patterns on it

Other benefits of Salagram Shila include:

Hrishikesh Shaligram
Laxmi Narayan Shaligram
Vasudeva Shaligram
Narayana Shaligram
Madhava Shaligram
Laxmi Narayan Sudarshan Shaligram
Damodara Shaligram
Purushottama Shaligram
Achyuta Shaligram
Hari Shaligram
Sankarshana Shaligram
Pradyumna Shaligram

Govinda Shaligram
Vishnu Shaligram
Shridhara Shaligram
Keshava Shaligram
Shesha Naag Shaligram
Janardana Shaligram
Padmanabha Shaligram
Aniruddha Shaligram
Madusudhana Shaligram
Janeudhari Shaligram
Suriya Shaligram
Trivikrama Shaligram

Upendra Shaligram and
Adokshaja Shaligram
Hayagriva Shaligram
Paremeshthin Shaligram
Hiranyagarbha Shaligram
Chaturbhuja Shaligram
Gadadhara Shaligram
Rupinarayana Shaligram
Vishnu Shaligram
Madhusudhana Shaligram
Trivikrama Shaligram
Shridhar Shaligram
Padmanabha Shaligram

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