Temple Stone Carving - Karnataka
Temples are of various shapes and sizes according to the region and its culture. First of all a suitable land is allotted for the temple. The allotted land is dug and the unwanted and undesired things if found any are separated from the land, which is further purified by sprinkling water and the Vastu Puja is organised to purify the land. The rectangular block of stone is firstly shaped into a desired size and thickness with the help of electric grinder and pointed chisels. The rough stone is first hammered with chisel by moderately unskilled workers. The foundation of the temple is laid down. The stone is first shaped to a certain degree, before being lifted into position and further carving. Every block of stone involves a series of steps where reduction of the rectangular block transforms into a form. Columns and beams supports the roofs of porches and mandapas and consists of slabs spanning directly from beam to beam, or later of diagonal arrangements of piled up slabs or corbelled domes. Large chunks of stones are transported in Lorries and trucks from Devanahalli, Karnataka. Craftsmen of this area prefers working on the Koira stone because it is available in enormous shapes and sizes ranging from 10 feet to 60 feet and is ideal for carving. The process begins with the selection of a fine stone suitable for carving large motifs and structures along with pillars. The sculptor begins by roughing out the proportions required for the temple. Designs and motifs are inlaid as per customers’ orders. The carving is started by creating a sketch in the form of the statue on paper or drawing a general outline of the stencil or design on the stone with the help of pencils and again darkened by the marker. Then begins the roughing out stage where usually the unwanted parts are removed by knocking few portions of the stone with the use of electric grinder. Artisans make their own decision for using the right size of tool which influences the excellence of the object. The intended design is roughed out with the help of several chisels, few electric grinders and a square head hammer. Pillars and roofs are designed and intricately carved as per the order and motifs already specified. The stone is shaped out to its form by using different sizes and shapes of chisels. The figure is carved according to the traditional rules on the proportions, decorations, armaments, posture etc. The sides are assured for being planned properly by putting a previously planned stone over the current one. An outline is first marked on the stone after it has been cut to the suitable size. The chisels are then used to scrape off the unwanted material to give the stone an uneven shape of the intended figure or motif. The dust collected on the object is cleaned with a thick brush. Chiseling followed by detailing process is again started to give the final shape to the object. If some piece of stone breaks out while carving it is attached with adhesive. Each part of the temple is separately made and intricately carved. After finishing the carving process all the separate parts are joined and the structure of the temple is formed. Likewise the block of stone is converted into a whole temple.
