Drums/Damarus

The damaru is a double-sided ritual hand-drum used in Tibetan Buddhist tantric rituals to summon enlightened wrathful deities with its sacred sound. Held in one’s right hand by its wrist-strap, the instrument is played slowly and rhythmically while melodiously chanting the practice liturgy, with a sharp back and forth twist of the wrist to punctuate a liturgical passage.

Played always in combination with the ritual bell held in one’s left hand to symbolize the union of skilful means and wisdom, which should never be separated. Sometimes also paired with the resounding of a thighbone trumpet, the vibrations of the instruments are said to produce a unique spiritual energy.