With the world going global so are national festivals. As a part of Deepavali celebration the UK Royal Mint has come out with the first bullion bar featuring Goddess Lakshmi.
The 20-gram bar — "Lakshmi" bar – has the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, engraved intricately into the precious metal. Designed by Royal Mint’s designer Emma Noble, the intricate design has been done in close collaboration with Cardiff’s Shree Swaminarayan Temple.
Priced at 1,080 pounds, the bar is being described by the Royal Mint as reflecting its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion and also an expansion of diverse cultural celebrations in the country.
The Goddess is represented on the bar with her four arms symbolic of the four goals of humanity that are considered good in Hinduism. These aredharma (pursuit of ethical, moral life), artha (pursuit of wealth, means of life), kama (pursuit of love, emotional fulfilment) and moksha (pursuit of self-knowledge, liberation).
The lotus on which she either stands or sits and also holds them in one or two of her hands, symbolises knowledge, self-realisation and liberation in Vedic context, and represents reality, consciousness and karma (work, deed) in the Tantra.
She is surrounded by elephants who represent work, activity and strength, as well as water, rain and fertility for abundant prosperity.
Talking to the media about the bar, Andrew Dickey, Royal Mint’s Divisional Director for Precious Metals said: “With gold being a traditional and auspicious gift during the Diwali festival, we wanted to develop a product that incorporates both beauty and tradition, but with a modern twist. The bar is a shining example of this and we were delighted to work with Nilesh Kabaria of the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Cardiff to ensure that we represent the Hindu Goddess of Wealth accurately and appropriately.”
Royal Mint’s official website offers these bars and they come wrapped in gift packaging which features Om symbol on it.
Keeping with traditions, the bar will also be blessed at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple's Diwali ceremony as part of their "Lakshmi Poojan" on November 4. This will be attended by Royal Mint representatives.
Kabaria of Shree Swaminarayan Temple observed: "It's wonderful to see an international brand such as the Royal Mint taking such a considered and active approach to celebrate the Hindu culture within their product range.”
