White marble is the default for deity carving because it reflects light onto the idol, keeps the focus on the carving, and dresses beautifully in coloured cloth and jewellery. Murtiya carves white marble murtis in Makrana and Vietnam white, and helps you choose between them.

• Makrana white for traditional depth and fine detail

• Vietnam white for bright, uniform whiteness at larger sizes

• Polished, matte and antique finishes with optional gold leaf

• All standard deities plus custom and multi-figure compositions

The choice of white marble changes how a murti reads in its final setting. A bright, cool white looks crisp under daylight; a warmer white looks softer under lamplight in a home mandir. Both are legitimate — the trick is matching the stone to the room.

Makrana versus Vietnam white

Makrana white is warmer, denser and holds slightly finer detail. Vietnam white is brighter and more uniform, which makes it excellent for large statues where visible variation would be distracting. Cost and delivered timeline often decide the choice for very large pieces.

Sizes that work

For a home mandir, most families choose between 9 and 18 inches. A 12-inch murti sits comfortably in a standard niche with room for a crown. For temples, anything from 2 feet upward is typically carved to order.

Keeping white marble white

White marble needs nothing exotic: dust regularly, clean with plain water and a soft cloth, and avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners. Our maintenance guide covers monsoon humidity and long-term storage as well.