Karkala is a little town in the south of Karnataka located in Udupi district. The name is derived from the name Kari-Kal which refers to Black Stone in "Tulu" (local language/ dialect in Karkala). The town is situated on top of a granite bed which is about 300-500 ft above sea level. Granite is locally referred with another traditional name- 'Krishnashila' (Black Stone). Stone engraving is a local architecture found in this place.
Products are of two varieties: Idols of deities and Architectural elements. The crafts men work on idols for temples and also the black granite is used for architectural construction elements of houses. Different types of products engraved are Nagakallu (local language) Idol of snake god carved for temples, Divine serpents with several heads, Mild designs carved on the pillar which is used in temple as well as construction elements for houses, Tulsi (Basil Plant) pot with a traditional look in which Tulsi herbs is planted and worshipped, Lord Krishna statue finely carved and suitable to worship, Idols of Goddess Lakshmi. Nandi engraved in dark black stone which is vehicle of lord Shiva placed in front of the temple. Statues of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva (Shiva Linga).
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