{"product_id":"wooden-kumkum-box-4-inch","title":"Wooden Kumkum Box - 4-Inch Hand-Painted Tikka Box, 3 Colours","description":"\u003cp\u003eA kumkum box - kumkum bharani - is the small lidded pot that holds the vermilion and turmeric used to mark a tilak on the forehead. It sits on the pooja shelf, comes out at every aarti, and is handed to guests at weddings and housewarmings. This one is turned from mango wood, four inches across, and painted by hand in three finishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 inch diameter, with a lift-off lid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 100 g (approx. 3.5 oz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMango wood, hand-painted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice is per box - choose one finish above\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumkum and turmeric are not included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy this one\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the least expensive thing we make that still looks handmade, which is the whole reason it works as a return gift. The paint is applied freehand over turned mango wood - gold line work over a coloured ground on the green and red, cream floral over dark wood on the antique. Nothing about it is printed or transferred. Mango wood is the standard timber for painted Rajasthani woodwork: dense enough to carve and hold a hinge, and cut from trees at the end of their fruiting life rather than felled for timber, which is why it is the sustainable choice in Indian craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreen\u003c\/strong\u003e - deep green ground with gold trim and line work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed\u003c\/strong\u003e - the traditional colour for a kumkum box, gold trim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAntique\u003c\/strong\u003e - dark natural wood with cream floral painting, the quietest of the three\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed is the one people buy for their own pooja shelf. Green and antique are the ones that get bought in bulk for functions, because they read less specifically religious and work as a trinket or ring box for a guest who does not use kumkum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere it works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the pooja shelf or inside the mandir, in a thali for aarti, on a dressing table for rings and studs, or on a desk for paper clips. At four inches it takes up almost no room, which is why people end up with several.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGifting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the return gift. Weddings, griha pravesh, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Varalakshmi Vratam, baby showers - it is small enough to hand to every guest, inexpensive enough to buy fifty of, and traditional enough that nobody has to explain it. Many customers fill them with kumkum, haldi or sweets before giving them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWipe with a soft dry cloth. Keep water and cleaning sprays off the painted surface, and do not soak it. Painted mango wood does not like standing damp or direct all-day sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a kumkum box used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nHolding kumkum - the red vermilion powder used for the tilak - and often haldi, turmeric, alongside it. It lives on the pooja shelf and comes out for aarti and for marking guests at weddings and festivals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come with kumkum in it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. You get the empty box. Most people fill it themselves before giving it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the lid tight enough to travel with powder in it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is a lift-off lid, not a screw or a seal. It holds powder on a shelf, but tape it or bag it if it is going in a suitcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow small is it, really?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFour inches across - about the size of a teacup saucer, and 100 g in the hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it hold anything other than kumkum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. People use them for rings, earrings, saffron, small sweets and supari. It is a lidded wooden box; the name is what it is traditionally for, not a restriction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill mine look exactly like the photograph?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nClose, not identical. Every piece is painted freehand, so line weight and the exact placing of the motifs shift a little between pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the antique one painted or just stained?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPainted. The wood is left dark and the floral work is applied in cream on top of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I order these in bulk?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes - this is one of the pieces people order in tens and twenties for functions. Email contact@urliutsav.com with your quantity and date and we will quote you and confirm timing before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if it arrives damaged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nShipping is insured. Photograph the damage, email contact@urliutsav.com, and we will replace it or make it right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I return it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, within 30 days in original condition and packaging. Return shipping is arranged and paid by the customer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping and assurance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree insured shipping across the USA and Canada. Ships from San Ramon, California, usually within one business day. If it arrives damaged, send us a photo and we will resolve it - transit damage is covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee more gifting pieces in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indian-return-gifts\"\u003eIndian Return Gifts\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Urli Utsav Decor","offers":[{"title":"Green","offer_id":42365662298163,"sku":"kumkum-box-green","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red","offer_id":42365662330931,"sku":"kumkum-box-red","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Antique","offer_id":42365662363699,"sku":"kumkum-box-antique","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/1534\/2899\/files\/kumkumbox6.jpg?v=1736404947","url":"https:\/\/urliutsav.com\/products\/wooden-kumkum-box-4-inch","provider":"Urli Utsav","version":"1.0","type":"link"}