Conch shell for offering bowls. 

Our ritual conch shells are made from the Turbinella pyrum, a sacred shell traditionally used in both Hindu and Buddhist practice. While they are sold in Nepal, the shells themselves are naturally harvested from the Indian Ocean, primarily along the coasts of India and Sri Lanka.

To prepare them for ritual use, artisans carefully trim, polish, and size-grade each shell so they can be used as trumpets or carved for decoration. This process gives the shells a very uniform appearance, which sometimes leads people to think they are manufactured. In fact, these shells are entirely natural—no plaster or resin is used.

Authentic Turbinella pyrum can be recognized by the ridges (called “plicae”) inside the opening of the shell, a feature unique to this species. Because of their traditional preparation, you may notice that shells in a given size category look almost identical, but each one is a genuine, natural shell with subtle variations.

Please note: the individual markings and quality vary ~ the images pictured here are various examples from our stock.

***Please note this item cannot be shipped overseas at this time.***