Turbinella

Turbinella is a genus of very large sea snails with an operculum, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Turbinellinae of the family Turbinellidae.

One species in this genus is the sacred chank, Turbinella pyrum; see "Shankha" for the cultural and religious use of the shell of that species.

Species in this genus are found worldwide, mostly in tropical shallow waters.

Most species have massive shells with three or four prominent columellar plicae.

The columella sgows several strong transverse plaits in the middle.

Hindu priest blowing a trumpet made out of a large shell of Turbinella pyrum , in Tirupati , India