Idols of wood.

 Many Hindu deities are traditionally carved from wood, though stone and metal are more common for permanent temple idols. Wooden idols hold a special place in certain traditions and festivals.

some well-known examples:

Jagannath Temple

The deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are carved from neem wood (called Daru or Daru Brahma).

They are ritually replaced during the sacred Nabakalebara ceremony, usually every 12–19 years.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple

The famous Athi Varadar is carved from Athi wood (the cluster fig tree, Ficus racemosa).

The idol is brought out for worship once every 40 years.

Many village deities across South India

Local deities are often carved from neem, jackfruit, or other durable native woods, depending on regional tradition.

Woods commonly used for sacred idols

Neem (Azadirachta indica) – considered highly sacred and naturally resistant to insects. Used for Jagannath.

Athi (Cluster Fig, Ficus racemosa) – used for Athi Varadar.

Jackfruit wood (Artocarpus heterophyllus) – widely used in Kerala and Karnataka for temple icons because it is durable and easy to carve.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) – used for smaller worship idols due to its fragrance and sanctity.

Bilva (Bael) and Peepal wood are occasionally used for specific ritual purposes, though less commonly for permanent idols.

According to the traditional texts on temple architecture (Śilpa Śāstras and Āgamas), the choice of wood is based not only on strength and durability but also on the tree's purity, age, and ritual suitability.

Among all wooden idols in India, the most renowned are the Jagannath deities of Puri made of neem wood and Athi Varadar of Kanchipuram made of Athi wood.