A shankha has religious ritual importance in Hinduism.
Carved conches or Vamavarta shankhas, c. 11–12th century, Pala period, India: The leftmost one is carved with the image of Lakshmi and Vishnu, and has silver additions.
A shankha, 19th century
A Shankha (conch shell) with Vishnu emblem carved
Hindu priest blowing a shankha during a puja
Vishnu, also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu, c. 1730
Image: Vishnu Gandhara
Image: Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 036 2
Image: Statue of Vishnu, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK (IM 127 1927) 20090209