Krishna’s Butterball is a curious tourist attraction in Mahabalipuram, a town about 60 km south of Chennai famous for its stone carvings. The “butterball” is a giant balancing rock, 5 meters in diameter, perched on a smooth slope, seemingly defying all laws of physics.
In Hindu mythology Lord Krishna had an insatiable appetite for butter, and as a child, would often sneak a handful from his mother’s butter jar. Situated on a hill slope near the Ganesh Ratha this massive natural rock boulder is attributed to a bolus of butter the young Krishna would steal.
The rock’s awkward position makes it quite popular with locals and tourists alike as it makes for an interesting backdrop for some whacky photographs. It’s a common sight to see visitors placing hands under the stone posing for pictures, which looks as though they are holding it up. The rock provides welcome shade if you dare to sit underneath it, and local kids have discovered that the slippery nearby hillside also makes a great natural slide.
Mahabalipuram is an ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport during the time of Periplus (1st century CE) and Ptolemy (140 CE). Ancient Indian traders who went to countries of South East Asia sailed from the seaport of Mahabalipuram. Today's Mahabalipuram is purely a tourist town and one of the major attractions around Chennai. People visit this place to see the magnificent rock carvings, temples, cave sanctuaries, giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva.
Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Also see: 10 Famous Balancing Rocks Around the World
Where is all the spray painted graffiti? Are there no Bloods or Crips over there? Quick! Call Oprah!
ReplyDeleteThankfully None....
DeleteWhat will the gravity law that will state this?
ReplyDeleteThis is not a magic. Watch the stone verry carefully. You will come to know. The stone is not cirular. It is wide from one side that is why its most of the weight is towards the back and it is flat from its base that gives it this balance. Thats the reason the stone do not roll...
DeleteIf you closely look at the surface area of the stone then you can easily understand that this object is well-spread and has anchored on the ground. The side angle view also shows it: the alignment of the center of gravity of the object is its rear; making it impossible to fall.
ReplyDeleteAmazing
ReplyDeleteWhat type of rock is this? Is it limestone, or sandstone? What is it?
ReplyDeletecoarse grained granite
Deleteis it possible that the stone could be crafted?
ReplyDeleteCrafting is not allowed by state government of India
ReplyDeleteIt's simple to make it roll! Just keep sanding the back end till its a bis circular. Viola! It begins to roll!
ReplyDeleteVery good story amusing planet. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm just a poor rock. I need no sympathy.
ReplyDeleteAnyway the wind blows nothing really matters to me.