DIY Deity Tutorials - Remember Krishna

Posted on October 2, 2026September 22, 2026 by remember krishna — Leave a comment

How to Child-Proof Your Home Mandir Deities: The Power of a Stable Marble Base

wood carved base for krishna deity painted in folk art style for diy base

You have concerns about keeping your home altar and deities child safe? I completely get it! I did too. In fact, back in 2017 when my children were young, it was on my mind a lot.

For my daughter, I got these small metal forms of Krishna Balaram. They did occasionally fall over during dressing.

Metal forms of Krishna and Balaram deities

My mother worships small forms of Gaur Nitai, and allowing the grandchildren to assist is a bit stressful, because sometimes the kids may accidentally knock them over. So she doesn’t really allow Nitaigaur to be handled except by her. It’s ok though, because now she has the largest Krishna deity in person. His form is made from marble, and the stability is no longer an issue.

Naturally, most of us can’t have 4 foot deities in our home mandir (and really, He is VERY difficult to move, it’s more of a temple size). I realized I needed to update my previous advice on welcoming a deity to your home.

Now I have many years more experience in preparing marble deity forms. Because of my tests with different bases you can insert the deity into for stability, I have new opinions! Because of this, I feel confident sharing fresh ideas to child-proof your altar and ease your worries.

Why a Separate Marble Base Ensures Total Stability

To stabilise a marble deity form, ordering a separate marble base is wonderful! In carving, keep the base separate from the deity form. The weight of the base would be too great for the fine carving of the Lord’s form.

marble deity and separate marble lotus carved base

marble deity inserted into marble lotus base

Here’s an example of a carved separate lotus base, and the Lord form that inserts directly into the lotus base.

BalaGopal: Darling Child

$4000

Fall in love with BalaGopal, a delicate hand-carved marble deity of Krishna with loving eyes and a soft, gentle colouring. This sweetest form comes with a curling black wig and glimmering pearl jewelry. Seven exquisite outfits adorn this sweet and fresh boyish form of dear sweet Krishna.

Standing 15 inches tall on His carved marble lotus base. He’s sized for easy daily care — light enough to lift in and out, and a good size for dressing. Perfect for stability and laying Him to sleep at nights — use our measuring guide if you’d like to see exactly how He’ll sit at home.

This is a one-of-a-kind vigraha — once He is claimed, there will never be another exactly like Him. If His beauty has already found a home in your heart, don’t let this chance slip away.

Worldwide Free Shipping – Delivered to your door, with tracking.

One available

SKU: krishna deity lotus base

Category: Deities, Every Form You See Here Is One of a Kind

Tags: marble krishna on lotus base

How stable are deities with a separate base they insert into? Once you stand Him in the base, He is so stable! Accidental bumps during daily dressing or by curious toddler hands won’t easily knock Him over.

You can easily order a lotus base after you already have the deity forms. A few photos and measurements will make them match up nicely. Simply trace around the base of the lord, and measure from all sides. Photos work best, and if you want me to assist you in arranging that, please feel free reach out.

The base recess may be slightly loose, so you could fill it in a little. Use Blue-tac, natural beeswax (my go to for all things deity adhering), or you can also use a little air – hardening epoxy clay like MouldIt. amazon.com.au/Modeling-Compound-Sculpting-Building-Repairing/ here’s a link for one I have used in past. It’s easy to mix the 2 part ratio and mold into place. Place the statue/deity in to test and adjust the modeling compound before it sets over time.

Creative DIY Deity Bases: Wood, Concrete, & Resin

Now if ordering a base is beyond your current means, you may want to delve into creating your own DIY base! You can do this in many creative ways.

For example, my artist friend Radha das created a carved wooden base for his beautiful Krishna.

Krishna deity in carved wooden base Kartamasya hand on hip pose, known as the little boss or little prince

DIY WOOD Deity Base

In New Zealand, Jahnavi dasi and her husband Rama das, carved a tree stump into a fitted base for their deity.

home deity beautiful black marble Krishna deity dressed in fresh flowers and standing on a specially carved wooden base — Folk art decorating a carved solid wood base for deity of Krishna

DIY Concrete Base

Another lovely family serving a charming Radha & Radhakanta.

They shared photos of the concrete bases they made for the stability of their sweet deity forms.

“Since the Krishna’s base is not perfectly even we decided to make a stand out of concrete. By using concrete we were able to press the base into the poured mixture and get a perfect opening for the Krishna’s base. Then we get it primed and painted a week later. We hope Radha and Radhakanta love it.

I personally, never worked with concrete and my family members too. That was my husband’s idea and I must say it worked out just perfectly. After the job was done our son had some fun painting it. I just a little bit helped him. So it looks like whole family had a service.” Ekaterina

Close up of KrishnaKantha lotus feet displaying the base made of cement which the murti inserts into for stability — Close up of His base

Close up of the empty base ready for the deity to stand in — Close up of His base

Resin Base

Meanwhile dear devotees family in the UK serves the most gorgeous 18inch Krishna deity. She is making a resin base like a lotus pond for her beautiful boy.

Resin stand Georgina used is specifically for deep pour like the river tables you see online. These are her tips on creation to help you get started:

It take 48 H to set, depending on the room temperature it can set a bit faster. The resin has a 6 h window to work on, enough time to place all the components you like.

Gopal Krishna deity dressed in the gorgeous design of two toned coat of blue silk brocade and purple tafeta decorated with green jewelled garland of flowers

This family is so crafty they also are making the Lord some brass flutes! (and have promised me one, thank you my friends!) You can explore and view the awesome resin base diy project on her instagram account, follow this link Aren’t Krishna crafts just the greatest?!

Last-Minute Abhishek Base Solution for Janmashtami

For our abhishek I had a LOT of last minute madness making a base for my dear friend Radharani dasi’s Krishna deity. He’s 15inches tall, a dressed deity form of Lord. For 3 years now, we have invited Him to come and accept a bathing ceremony for our Janmashtami celebrations.

Because in past bathing Him has been somewhat stressful, one would hold the ankles while others bathed Him. So it was great this year to create a separate base He could insert into for the purpose of bathing. Because it was a last minute project (honestly, we all know Krishna’s appearance day comes every year, how many rushed activities do we all do?! So crazy).

Krishna deity with a special base to stand into - in progress photo — This is a special base I made for the deity to stand into during abhishek

Anyhow, I am putting together a blog post about how I created it, and I’ll make a new one with a tutorial for you, seeing as my documentation was… shall we say, haphazard.

In summary, a fitted marble base (or DIY insert base) is one of the most effective ways to child-proof your home mandir deities and protect them during daily shringar or bathing. And of course, as an added layer of safety, keeping the main altar platform just out of reach of toddlers gives you complete peace of mind!

Have you made a base? Please share some photos and I’ll update this post with your pictures, or write a new blog just to share.

Posted on September 20, 2026September 20, 2026 by remember krishna — Leave a comment

DIY Papier-Mâché Govardhan Hill Ideas for Govardhan Puja

special offering to goverdhan hill made with real ferns and papier mache

Do you love getting creative for festival celebrations? Once upon a time, my friends Amy and Krista and many others, made a wonderful DIY papier-mâché Govardhan Hill .

Crafting the Base with Chicken Wire and Papier-Mâché

To build a sturdy structure, they started by shaping a foundation using flexible chicken wire. Once the hill shape took form, they covered the entire frame in layers of papier-mâché.

After the layers dried completely, the fun really began! They painted the surface in rich, earthy tones and glued decorative elements around the slopes. Finally, they inserted real, living greenery into the hill to bring sacred Govardhan to life.

goverdhan puja festival pics of home made hill and flowers

celebrating with a festival and a hill goverdhan puja

Enjoy the photos I captured on the day.

Bringing Govardhan Puja to Life for Children (and everyone)

After many years, this specific hill didn’t survive, but it sure was a wonderful installation and celebration.

Sacred Giriraj Govardhan does not strictly require a form of Krishna on top to be worshipped. However, we all love seeing Him!

The festival of Govardhan Puja is always a time of immense rejoicing for devotees. Children especially have wild fun dancing and skipping around the hill. Creating hands-on crafts like this is one of the best ways to involve little ones in the pastime and build joyful memories.

Simple Ways Kids Can Help Build a Papier-Mâché Hill

Have you ever made a DIY papier-mâché Govardhan Hill? Another year, a friend and I built one together. I am so sad to say that although I wrote an entire article detailing the build, I cannot seem to locate my process photos! I hope to find them soon so I can share that tutorial with you.

In the meantime, I hope these photos inspire your own festival preparations this year!

Explore previous Goverdhan Puja activities for kids here in the GROWING GOVERDHAN KIDS ACTIVITY

There’s also an utterly wonderful Goverdhan Hill diorama which my dear friend Jagannath dasi creates. It’s been her passionately pursued hobby for many years, and she has collected the little figures for such a long time. I’ve had the happy opportunity to many times view in person. There is always something fresh to discover!

Explore Krishna Dioramas

Posted on January 17, 2026January 17, 2026 by remember krishna — Leave a comment

Measuring Marble vs Metal Deities: Why 12 Inches Isn’t Always 12 Inches

When it comes to measuring marble vs metal deities for new Shringar, many devotees are surprised to find that ’12 inches’ doesn’t always mean the same thing! To get the perfect fit, we first calculate the total height. We measure from the base to the top of the hair bun.For Gaura Nitai, we measure to the tips of Their outstretched fingers.

However, the material of the form is the most important factor. Measuring a metal deity requires a completely different approach than measuring marble. (We will stick to these two for now. I don’t yet have enough experience with wooden forms to offer advice there!)

The Biggest Challenge when Measuring Marble vs Metal Deities

There are a few marked differences between these materials. When I receive deity garment requests, I always ask for photos first. This helps me determine if the form is marble or metal. Height is the first major difference.

A metal deity has a large, heavy base. This base is usually about a quarter of the overall height. It is required for the stability of the metal form. In contrast, a marble deity rarely has a base more than 1 inch thick. A thicker marble base would place too much weight strain on the form. This could cause the marble to break.

Understanding the Proportions

Let’s look at a 12-inch Krishna form. A marble Krishna will be mostly body height, minus just 1 inch for the base. However, a 12-inch metal Krishna is often a 9-inch body on a 3-inch base.

This affects every measurement. It changes the leg length, the waist, and even the head circumference. Even so, “deity walas” still call the metal form a “12-inch deity.” This leads to miscommunications. Sometimes a pujari might not count the base at all.

The Visual Difference

To help you visualize this, I’ve put together an illustration. You’ll see that while both Krishnas are technically “12 inches tall,” the one on the left has much more “body” to dress than the one on the right!

Measuring Marble vs Metal Deitie Size guide to the height differences of a metal and marble murti both 12inches comparing the bases and overall features — Measuring Marble vs Metal Deitie

When we work out the height for Gaura Nitai, we calculate from the bottom of the base to the tips of Their outstretched fingers. Just like with Krishna, we have to consider if They are made from metal or marble because it changes the body proportions completely.

Measuring Gaura Nitai: Metal vs Marble

When we work out the height for Gaura Nitai, we measure to the tips of Their outstretched fingers. Just like with Krishna, we must consider the material. It changes the body proportions completely.

In a 12-inch set of Gaura Nitai, much of that height is the space between Their heads and fingertips. If They are metal, They have a large, heavy base. This leaves very little room for the actual body. A 12-inch metal Gaura Nitai might only have a 6 or 7-inch torso to dress.

If They are marble, the base is only about 1 inch. This means the body is much longer, even though the total height is still 12 inches.

Why Precision Matters

This is why I can’t use “total height” alone to make Their clothes. If I made a shirt based only on the 12-inch measurement, it would be way too big for Their actual torso. This affects the dhoti length, the shirt size, and where the waist falls. When you send me photos for Gaura Nitai, it is very helpful to show the measurement of the “Body Height” (from the base to the shoulder) separately from the “Total Height” (to the fingertips).

I’ve had many conversations with pujaris who don’t count the base in their measurements, which can lead to a Shringar that doesn’t sit quite right. This is exactly why, when you message me, the first thing I’ll ask for is a photo. Seeing His form helps me immediately identify if He is metal or marble and the pose the form is in, so I can adjust my patterns accordingly.

Whether the material is metal, marble or other, He deserves a fit that allows Him to stand comfortably and elegantly. Next time you measure your Lord, keep the base in mind—it’s the secret to a perfect fit.

Looking for more guidance on your Deity journey? If you haven’t brought your Lord home yet and are still deciding which material is right for your seva, you might find my post on [Choosing Between Metal and Marble Deities: A Devotee’s Guide] helpful. It covers everything from the daily care routines to the unique “mood” each material brings to the altar.

Stay Connected: For more Shringar inspiration and behind-the-scenes looks at my studio, [subscribe to my YouTube channel]

Posted on September 27, 2025December 27, 2025 by remember krishna — Leave a comment

When Size Matters: Radha Krishna edit

Have you dreamed of worshipping Shri Radha and Shri Krishna deities? If you have, you know there’s a wonderful world of choices ahead of you, and I thought I could share some insights to help you navigate those decisions.

Aside from basic choices like material (metal, wood, marble, or resin) and color, there are two crucial questions about height you may not have considered. Honestly, even if you aren’t actually planning to invite Radha Krishna deities to your home, it’s kind of fun to explore, isn’t it?

1. What Height Should They Be? (The Big Picture)When choosing the size of your deities, you’ll need to decide on the overall height. Here is my one piece of strong advice: Please do not choose based on the size of your current altar. Altars come and go, but your deities are a generational commitment—the glorious Heads of your family. Choose a size that feels right for the next fifty years, not just your current space.

2. What Height Should They Be Individually? (The Unique Look)This is the big question: Should Radha and Krishna be the exact same height? The current style usually favors identical heights, but there is a wonderful traditional, vintage option to have a shorter Radha.

In India, you’ll find many temples, like Radha Gopinath and Madana Mohan in Vrindavan, where Shri Radha is visibly smaller. This look connects to a more ancient feel, sometimes representing that she was installed at a later date to join Shri Krishna.

And, honestly, I might be overly focused on the aesthetic and not so much on the spiritual significance! Like, I know how the different deities came to the temple is an incredible transcendental pastime, I just don’t feel qualified to comment on that.

Inspired by darshan of Radha Gopinath and RadhaGovindaji, I wanted to try deities with a 2 or 3 inch height difference, but my sculpting partner talked me out of it. He said their heads wouldn’t be same size (obvs but actually a pretty good point). I actually think, after testing, it’s not so much about the size of their forms but it is really nice with same size deities to kind of gaze at both their faces at the same time. I think with a great variation in height in person u focus on one at a time and not both at same time. So I think, yeah, keep the difference within a small 1 or 2 inch range.

I’ve tested it for you! Taking pictures of a variety of the deities I have in my studio at the moment, have a look at the differences in height:

Through my own testing and research, I’ve seen that a subtle height difference works beautifully. For example, a 13.5-inch Krishna with a 12-inch Radha looks absolutely perfect. That difference just feels so sweet and can lend the mood of Krishna being chivalrous and protective over his beloved Radha.

This dark Krishna is 13inch, while Radha is 12inch.

This blue Krishna deity is 16inches tall, with the diminutive 12inch Radha deity. It’s super cute but … the bouncing eyes back and forwards to drink in their beauty, is harder than when their eyes are close to the same level.

The Most Important Insight: Matched Style

Whether you choose identical heights or a slight difference, there is one non-negotiable factor: matching!

It seems like the most important takeaway from this experiment is one I never expected Pairing a 16-inch Radha with an 18-inch Krishna—a perfect height difference—but their painting styles simply didn’t match! The visual was completely lost. Shri Radha is glossy while Shri Krishna deity is matte. Their eyes are significantly different in n style. The height difference of 2 inch is really nice though!

This is the huge difference you get when your deities are carved and painted at the same time by the same artisan. When the style, the facial expressions, and the overall mood harmonize, the set comes alive.

No need to panic!

You can still custom commission a Radha deity later, to match Krishna.

I had this charming Krishna deity in 18inch white marble painted a soft blue, and a year later made a matching shri Radha. She suits His mood perfectly.

So I’m not saying that you can’t add Radha later, just.. best to get from same artist?

he world of deity worship offers countless beautiful choices. If you’re considering this path, I would love to help you ensure that every detail—including that wonderful, vintage height difference—is perfect for your family.

Let’s start a conversation about your ideal set!

Weigh in on this fascinating topic too! Share your thoughts on the height difference, or even delightful stories about matching deities?? leave your comment here!

Posted on August 1, 2025December 27, 2025 by remember krishna — Leave a comment

Introducing Kanu: The Deity of Endless Outfits

Kanu, Handsome and Beloved

Marble deity of Krishna dressed in elaborate pink Shringar with pearl beading, embroidery turban covered in stonework and pearls with peacock feathers and flowers and a long sleeve jacket heavily embroidered. Deity is ornamented with pearl anklets, pearl bracelets, arm cuffs, long three strand necklaces with ruby red stones. Deity of Krishna plays the flute

Namaste and greetings from my little corner of the creative world here in Australia! Today, I’m so excited to share a very special arrival with you – a brand new Krishna deity who has completely stolen my heart.

Recently, I was inspired by the devotion of a dear friend and the beautiful, elaborate outfits she creates for her Lord. While each piece is a masterpiece, it’s not always easy to mix and match them. This sparked a creative idea: to craft a Krishna deity with a versatile wardrobe, designed for endless creativity and joy.

And so, with immense joy, I present to you… Kanu, The Charming One!

A close up view of 12-inch marble deity of Krishna playing a flute. He has dusky stormy grey-blue skin, and his smiling face is decorated with gopa dots and a tilak. He wears a jeweled turban with a pearl tassel over his long, curly black hair. The deity is dressed in a yellow vest and a long dhoti with intricate braid work, along with a yellow sash and shawl. A jeweled pearl and gold girdle is at his waist, and he wears three necklaces of pearls and rubies, along with delicate pearl jewelry on his arms and wrists

This magnificent 12-inch marble murti of Shri Krishna has been hand-carved to embody all the Lord’s handsome and youthful charm. His stormy grey-blue complexion radiates a serene grace that has captivated me from the moment He was finished. As I gazed upon His beautiful form, I began to ponder a name that would capture all His special qualities. Should it speak to His beautiful hue – Neela Megha? Or perhaps His sweet childhood pastimes – Nanda Nandana? So many beautiful names danced in my heart, but in the end, the name that felt absolutely perfect was Kanu – meaning handsome, brave, and charming. What do you think? Doesn’t it just suit Him?

Decorating His base with tulsi manjaris and wild blooms, the delicate flowers ensure Tulsi is always at His feet.

But the charm doesn’t end with His name and beautiful form. Oh no! Kanu arrives with a meticulously curated collection of five complete outfits and an opulent array of intricate jewelry. And here’s the truly exciting part: each and every piece is designed to be mixed and matched!

A 12-inch marble deity of Krishna playing a flute. He has dusky stormy grey-blue skin, and his smiling face is decorated with gopa dots and a tilak. He wears a jeweled turban with a pearl tassel over his long, curly black hair. The deity is dressed in a yellow vest and a long dhoti with intricate braid work, along with a yellow sash and shawl. A jeweled pearl and gold girdle is at his waist, and he wears three necklaces of pearls and rubies, along with delicate pearl jewelry on his arms and wrists. His crossed feet have anklets, and his toes and heels are a blushing pink color. The deity of Krishna is shown in a Vrindavan setting with flowers and moonlight

Think of the possibilities! His elaborate pink ensemble with its pearl beading and jeweled turban can be paired with the rich green silk dhoti and shawl for a touch of regal elegance. The vibrant yellow set, with its intricate braid work, looks equally stunning with the striking peacock-print dhoti. And His deep wine-purple outfit? Imagine that paired with the green sash and mix it up with the yellow vest and pink turban!

Creating this wardrobe for Kanu has been such a labor of love. Just like when I was working on a glorious hot pink outfit, I found myself inspired to create extra jewelry elements – a long, knee-length pearl necklace, delicate armlets, and matching earrings – that would perfectly complement the pants and the overskirt and jacket. And the beauty is, these pieces can be worn with so many other outfits in His collection too! Whether adorned with His jeweled crown or a beautifully tied turban, He looks absolutely enchanting.

I truly believe that serving our beloved Krishna should be a joyful and creative expression of our love. With Kanu’s versatile wardrobe, you’ll have the freedom to dress Him in countless beautiful ways, making your daily worship and special celebrations even more personal and heartfelt. Knowing you lose your heart to His smiling face, but then carefully examine His wardrobe to see what it contains, I made sure that He has a warm option – the long sleeve pink vastra jacket will mix and match with the different dhotis and turbans. All three necklaces can be worn independently. There are 3 turbans and a crown! Multiple shawls and dhotis… lots of vests, oh! the opportunities.

Kanu, The Charming One, is now ready to journey to His new home and fill it with blessings. He is waiting to grace your altar and become a cherished member of your family’s devotional life. And to make this even easier, I am offering free worldwide shipping on Him!

Click here to learn more about Kanu and welcome Him into your heart and home: Kanu Krishna – Uniquely one of a kind, and available only until claimed.

Thank you for sharing in this exciting new chapter with me. I can’t wait for you to meet Kanu and experience the joy of serving this beautiful, charming deity.

update, He has now been invited to a devotees home, please explore my current creations to claim your own perfect deity of Krishna .

With love and devotion,

Deities

Hand-carved, one-of-a-kind deities of Radha Krishna, made with loving attention to detail and superb craftsmanship. Each murti is complete and ready to install and worship — hand-carved, hand-painted, and exquisitely dressed with matching outfits and jewelry for the moment He arrives to your home.

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Remember Krishna