According to law of gravity, any object kept at a height will come down to the surface of the earth under gravitational force. However, there is a 250 ton boulder, bigger and heavier than any known monolithic structure in the world. Its height is approximately six metres and width five metres and it is inclined at a 450 angle on a 4ft plinth, which is defying gravity for thousands of years. This miraculous boulder is situated in Mahabalipuram, a historical city on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. From the front side, the rock looks round. However, from the backside, it is seen that the back of the rock looks like a part of it is sheared off. How it is so, nobody knows. One thing is certain, natural erosion could not cause such a shape. The locals call the rock “Vaan Irai Kal” or “Krishna’s Butterball”. According to mythology, Lord Krishna, who was extremely fond of butter, stole some and a dollop of which fell on the hill and made a giant orange colour heap. As the rock looks like it was going to roll down the slope and crush the town below, the locals believe that only godly intervention could keep it from falling down. Thus, in comes the Tamil name which means “Stone of Sky God”. During the centuries, there have been several attempts to displace the rock, but each one failed. In the seventh century, A.D. King Narasimhavarman, the renowned ruler belonging to Pallava dynasty tried to displace it by as many equipment his men could gather, but failed. He believed that the stone belonged to the gods and tried to safe keep it, so that sculptors could not touch it. Again in 1908, British Governor of Madras Sir Arthur Lawley took initiative to remove it, so that it could not roll down and destroy the city. However, even seven elephants could not budge the rock. It has been a part of the “Group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram”. The Archaeological Society of India has made it a protected site as it is also under UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has made it a tourist attraction of much importance. Each year, thousands of tourists come and take their photos keeping their hands under the rock, as if they are holding it. Just Imagine!
