Stone is Divine

Most people often pay no heed to stones, which we stumble upon daily. We step on them, pick and throw them to show contempt and even kick them away with our feet, not realizing what value it holds in many places and in what ways.

The use of stones started in the stone age when humans started understanding the possibilities of using them in different ways. Imagine, we would not have had light in the dark, warmth, protection against wild animals or even good and tasty cooked food had fire not been discovered and this came from rubbing stones. Stones were also used as tools by primitive humans either for their own safety or to hunt. Slowly, they began to be used for constructing structures that protected them from harsh climates or wild animals. From then onwards, stones were constantly used in architecture.

Kailash Temple in Ellora

The Kailash Temple in Ellora For example, the Kailasa Temple in Ellora remains standing after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb tried to destroy it for 3 continuous years. It was impossible to completely destroy the temple as the rock was simply too hard to demolish, even though artisans used only hammers, chisels and picks to construct it.

The Brihadishvara Temple

The Brihadishvara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated on the south bank of Cauvery River, Thanjavur was built by the Chola Emperor, Rajaraja between 1003 and 1010 CE using granite and large blocks of stone that were transported from far. This temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exemplary architecture, along with the intricate carvings adds to the majestic, grandeur of the Thanjavur temple.

Around 3000 years ago, Indian temples, especially those in the south, were built using natural stones like granite as they were believed to store certain vibrations and emit positive energy. Sculptors also believed that stones possessed medicinal properties and healing capabilities. The most intriguing fact is that these temples made of natural stones could not be completely destroyed by the Mughals.

Taj Mahal

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in India is the famous Taj Mahal which is a mausoleum built on the bank of the Yamuna River by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the city Agra in the year 1632. The Taj Mahal is adorned with calligraphic passages from the Quran. This magnificent structure which is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world was built using white marble.

Sri Venkateshwara Balaji Temple

The largest and most visited temple in India, Sri Venkateshwara Balaji temple of the holy city, Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh was constructed using granite in the 6th century by the Pallava kings. This temple was dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Meenakshi Sundareshan Temple

In the place that is called the Kashi of South India, sits the magnificent.

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple that was built around 1234 A.D which was made of granite.

Narasimha Temple

The most recently constructed Narasimha temple at Yadgir Gutta, Telangana is another beautiful masterpiece made using” 2,50,000 tonnes of black granite

Vijaya Vattala Temple

Another enigma is the stone pillars that can sing! Ever heard of them? In Hampi, the “Vijaya Vattala Temple” has 56 pillars that were made of a group of stone shafts that produce 7 musical notes that we call the Sapta Swaras, when tapped with a finger or just a thumb and sound like bells ringing. Their frequencies diﬀer depending on what kind of musical instrument it denotes – percussion, string or wind!

While talking of stones, how can one forget the most spectacular forts that were built around palaces centuries ago as a means of protection against invaders in India! These forts, spread over many cities in India, have the most ingenious craftsmanship and their aesthetic beauty is a true treat to the eyes making them the most visited tourist destinations in India.