Ultabati Singing Bowl - Shape, Sound and What It Is Used For
An Ultabati is a wide, low singing bowl whose wall curves in below the rim and out again, like a wave, before the lip turns slightly outward. It is known for one of the deepest voices of any bowl form: a strong bass note with slow, rolling waves and a very long sustain.
Key takeaways
- Know it by the wave: the wall dips in below the rim, then the lip turns out.
- Wide and low: wider and squatter than a Jambati.
- Very deep sound: strong bass, slow rolling waves, a very long sustain.
- Used for: grounding, deep relaxation and as the anchor bowl of a sound bath.
What is an Ultabati singing bowl?
Ultabati is one of the traditional bowl forms, grouped by shape like the Jambati and the Remuna. Ulto means reverse or opposite in Nepali, for the way the lip turns back outward after the wall curves in.
Many Ultabati bowls are polished golden inside and left raw or dark outside. We do not put a date on any old bowl, as our guide on how to spot a fake antique singing bowl explains.
How do you recognise an Ultabati?
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Shoulder | Scooped: the wall curves in just below the rim, then swells out |
| Lip | Plain and turning slightly outward, never grooved |
| Body | Wide and low, rounding down to a small base |
| Finish | Often polished golden inside, raw or dark outside |
| Inside | Some have rings of circles at the centre |
| Size | Usually large; ours run from 7 to 11 inches |
Run a finger down from the rim. If it dips into a hollow before the body swells out, you are holding an Ultabati.
How does an Ultabati sound?
- Very deep: a strong bass note you feel as well as hear.
- Slow and rolling: the sound moves in long, steady waves.
- Warm: the overtones sit softly behind the main note.
- Long: one strike carries for a long time; rimmed slowly, many give a low hum.
Every Ultabati has its own note, set by its size and wall. Find the note of yours with our free live singing bowl tuner.
How is an Ultabati different from a Jambati?
| Feature | Ultabati | Jambati |
|---|---|---|
| Under the rim | Curves in, then out: a wave | Almost upright |
| Lip | Plain, turning outward | Thick, sloping inward |
| Shape | Wider and lower | Deeper |
| Sound | Very deep bass, slow rolling waves | Deep, with a long sustain |
Read more in our Jambati guide. Other forms whose walls turn in are explained in Remuna and Goalbati and Koprebati, and the raised centre of the Lingam in what a Lingam singing bowl is.
Looking for a deep bass bowl?
Our new hand-hammered Ultabati comes in 9, 10 and 11 inches, with a wooden mallet, felt striker and ring cushion. Sunita chooses yours after your order arrives.
Which Ultabati should you choose?
- New hand-hammered: our Ultabati Himalayan singing bowl in 9, 10 or 11 inches, polished inside and raw forged outside.
- Ultabati singing bowls: large, heavy Ultabati bowls in 7 to 10 inches, with natural dark marks from the forging.
- By size: a larger bowl usually gives a lower note and a longer sound; 9 inches is easier to handle, 11 inches suits professional sound baths.
Hand-hammered bowls of every shape are in our hand-hammered singing bowls category.
What is an Ultabati used for?
- Sound baths: the deep anchor bowl under the higher bowls, as in our sound bath setup guide.
- Grounding: its low note suits Root chakra work.
- Deep relaxation: slow waves of sound for lying-down practice and long meditation.
- Breathwork: one long sound to breathe out with.
An Ultabati supports relaxation and does not treat any condition.
How do you play an Ultabati?
- Seat it in a ring cushion, because a large bowl needs a steady base.
- Strike the body with a felt striker for the deep bass note.
- Rim slowly with a suede-wrapped mallet for a low, steady hum.
- Wait: let each sound fade fully before the next.
For the basics of striking and rimming, read how to play a singing bowl in our free course.
How is your Ultabati chosen?
After your order arrives, Sunita chooses one from her experience in practice. Each bowl differs a little in tone and surface from the photos.
Dispatch is from Kathmandu in 3–4 business days by DHL Express. Want an Ultabati as the base of a set? Use our set builder.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Ultabati singing bowl?
It is a wide, low singing bowl form whose wall curves in below the rim and out again, like a wave, before the plain lip turns slightly outward. It is known for a very deep bass voice.
What does Ultabati mean?
Ulto means reverse or opposite in Nepali, for the way the lip turns back outward after the wall curves in.
How is an Ultabati different from a Jambati?
A Jambati is deeper, with walls almost upright under the rim and a thick lip that slopes inward. An Ultabati is wider and lower, its wall dips in below the rim, and its lip turns out.
What does an Ultabati sound like?
Very deep, with slow, rolling waves of sound and a very long sustain. The main note is strong and the overtones sit softly behind it.
Why is an Ultabati golden inside and dark outside?
The inside is polished, which gives the bright golden colour, while the outside is left raw from the forging. Our new Ultabati bowls are made this way.
Is an Ultabati good for sound baths?
Yes. Its deep, long sound makes it a natural anchor bowl under the higher bowls of a sound bath.
What size Ultabati should I choose?
Our new Ultabati comes in 9, 10 and 11 inches, and our Ultabati singing bowls in 7 to 10 inches. A larger bowl usually gives a lower note and a longer sound.
See all our bowl forms
Ultabati, Jambati, Thadobati, Manipuri, Remuna, Goalbati, Koprebati and Lingam, each chosen by Sunita for its sound.
