Krishna’s Butterball, locally known as Vaan Irai Kal ("Stone of the Sky God"), is a massive granite boulder that has become an iconic symbol of Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram," this 250-tonne geological wonder defies gravity by perched precariously on a smooth, 45-degree slippery slope.
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| 20ft high Krishna's Butterball, Mahabalipuram, TN en.wikipedia.org |
Physical Dimensions and Science
The boulder stands approximately six meters high and five meters wide. Despite its immense weight, it rests on a contact area of less than a few square feet. Geologically, it is a precarious balancing rock formed by natural erosion over 1,200 years. Its unique shape—perfectly round from three sides but sheared off at the back—gives it the appearance of a giant dollop of butter dropped from the heavens, fitting the Hindu legend of Lord Krishna’s fondness for stealing butter.
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| Krishna's Butterball, Mahabalipuram,TN traveltam.com |
Above image: The mysterious Krishna's Butterball is a part of the Group of Monuments located at Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tamil Nadu.The mammoth granitic boulder has been hanging suspiciously on a slope for more than 1200 years defying scientific laws of friction and gravity. The rock is composed of a type of metamorphosed granite called gneiss of Pre-Cambrian geologic age - the oldest on Earth and is crafted by a combination geologic processes of weathering and wind erosion, giving it a unique aura. Not susceptible to erosion, the hard rock boulders in this area are strangely set on a slope.The reason for their stationary position for such a long period is due to rock's unique positioning and shape on the slope where the natural friction between the rock and the ground is minimal. The boulder's stability could be due to a concept in physics known as the "lever principle." The rock's rounded shape and the small hill's slope create a pivot point that supports its weight, preventing it from rolling down despite its massive size. Yet another important fact that is often overlooked by many scientists is as there are no cracks or fissures in the ball or on the slope. There is complete absence of vegetation or growth of small plants in the boulder and on the slope. Hence the absence of root-wedging as well as frosting has further strengthened the stability of the mysterious boulder.........
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| View from North Krishna's Butterball, en.wikipedia.org |
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| View from South Krishna's Butterball, en.wikipedia.org |
The rock has challenged powerful rulers for centuries:
The Pallavas: King Narasimhavarman (7th century CE) reportedly attempted to move the boulder to prevent it from falling on the town, but his men failed.
The Cholas: Legend suggests King Raja Raja Chola was so inspired by the rock's balance that it influenced the creation of the Thanjavur Bommai (tilting dolls) which, like the rock, always return to a balanced position.
The British: In 1908, Governor Arthur Havelock feared the rock might roll down and crush the village below. He deployed seven elephants to pull it down, but the boulder did not budge an inch.
Modern Importance and Latest Facts
In recent years, the site has gained global diplomatic fame. On October 12, 2019, it served as the backdrop for the high-profile "informal summit" between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Today, it is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). While it remains a favorite spot for "forced perspective" photography, experts use the rock to study the region’s seismic history; the fact that it remains standing proves that the area has not faced a massive earthquake in over a millennium. It continues to be a primary gateway to the other Pallava wonders, including the nearby Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance.
https://traveltam.com/krishna-butter-ball-mahabalipuram
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna%27s_Butterball
K. N. Jayaraman
