A lthough the gods of the great Hindu temples share some stylistic features throughout the country, local deities and traditions of worship, as well as those associated with the home, are as diverse as the peoples and communities of India.

Brass casters, often itinerant tinkers, serve their clients by creating domestic utensils, the distinctive images of their protective deities and animal mounts to be offered to them. Using the lost-wax technique, and whatever metals are at hand, they often set out their work at weekly markets and, increasingly, sell it on the world market through middlemen.