Shankha is of enormous ritual and religious importance in India. It has been the sacred emblem of Lord Vishnu and has also been used as a war trumpet in ancient times. Shankha is regarded as an auspicious symbol in different other religious faiths also, including Buddhism. The rich sound that it produces, symbolizes the sacred sound "Om".
Shankha is made of Conch shell, derived from a sea snail species Turbinella pyrum which is found in Indian ocean. 
In ages, different artists tried to carve their artistry on these Conch shells, giving birth to another mainstream Indian handicraft hertiage, the Conch craft.