Gomathi Chakra is the
operculum of a kind of
rare sea snail in the family
Turbinidae
Turbinidae, the turban snails, are a family of small to large marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Trochoidea.Bouchet, P. (2014). Turbinidae Rafinesque, 1815. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies ...
.
One place these opercula are found is in the
Gomathi River,
Dwarka
Dwarka () is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in Western India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kut ...
, hence the name. The word Chakra is from
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
, meaning circular. These objects are considered sacred by Hindus, giving wealth, health, and success. Gomathi Chakra are also believed to give protection for children.
Etymology
Gomathi refers to the Gomathi river from where it is found and chakra means circular.
It is also known as Cats 's eye shell, Naag-Chakra or Cows 's eye shell.
Usage
Gomathi Chakra is also used in jewellery. It was used by the ancient Celts and Greeks also.
Religious importance
It is considered holy by Hindus. It is believed to give protection for children.
References
{{Reflist
Mollusc shells
Turbinidae