Frequently Asked Questions
Questions that come up often. If yours is not here, email contact@urliutsav.com or WhatsApp +1 510 695 1946.
Shipping and delivery
Where do you ship from?
San Ramon, California. We hold stock here rather than shipping from India.
Where do you ship to?
Anywhere in the USA and Canada. Shipping is free and insured to both.
Will I pay customs or import duty?
No. We import as a business and pay the duty ourselves, so your order ships domestically. There is no customs charge, no brokerage fee and no international freight added at your door.
How quickly do orders leave?
Most orders leave within one business day. Delivery time after that depends on the carrier and your address.
Do you deliver locally in the Bay Area?
Yes — next-day delivery across the Bay Area.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Shipping is genuinely insured. Photograph the damage, email contact@urliutsav.com, and we will replace the piece or make it right.
Returns
Can I return something?
Yes, within 30 days, in original condition and packaging.
Who pays return shipping?
Return shipping is arranged and paid by the customer. For heavy pieces — mandirs, benches, large mirrors — that can be significant, so measure your space before ordering.
Materials
Is the gold real?
No. Gold-finish pieces are iron or aluminium under a gold polish. That is why a gold urli costs a fraction of a brass one. They look excellent and they are the sensible choice for seasonal use, but they should not hold standing water.
What is antique silver?
Brass, copper or aluminium that has been plated and oxidised so the raised engraving stays bright while the recesses darken. There is no silver in it and no nickel. We do not use the term “German silver”, because it suggests a precious metal that is not there.
Is your brass solid or plated?
Solid, and uncoated. We publish the weight on every brass listing so you can check — solid brass is dense, and plated lookalikes are not.
Will brass tarnish?
Yes, and that is normal. Uncoated brass darkens over months into a deeper tone many people prefer. Tamarind or lemon with salt is the traditional cleaner; a commercial brass polish also works. Nothing is lacquered, so nothing peels.
What wood do you use?
Mango wood, mostly. It is dense enough to hold carved detail, takes paint well, and the trees are harvested after they stop fruiting.
Buying
Will my piece look exactly like the photograph?
Close, not identical. Everything is painted, carved or woven by hand, so line, shade and finish vary a little. That variation is the craft rather than a defect.
How do I know what size to buy?
Every listing carries dimensions and, where it matters, weight. For mandirs, measure your tallest idol including its base — interior height is usually 16 to 18 inches, which is less than the exterior suggests.
Do things arrive assembled?
Mandirs and most decor, yes. Charpai benches and stools ship with the legs detached — they screw on by hand, no tools needed.
Can I order in bulk for an event or a temple?
Yes. Email contact@urliutsav.com with quantities and your date and we will quote you.
Gifting
Do you do return gifts?
Yes — see Indian Return Gifts. Small, giftable and already wrapped.
Can you ship directly to someone else?
Yes. Tell us at checkout and we will leave the invoice out of the box.
About us
Who makes these?
Working craft clusters in Kutch, Rajasthan, Moradabad, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. More on that on our About page.
Can I see things in person?
Yes, at Bay Area melas through the festive season. Dates are on the event calendar.
How do I get in touch?
Email contact@urliutsav.com or WhatsApp +1 510 695 1946.