When a contemporary asked sculptor extraordinaire Ramesh Pateria why he only worked with marble, he smiled reassuringly and said:
“I like the material. It’s got lines and natural designs inside the rock. I take it as a challenge to bring out its inner beauty in my forms. Besides, marble is easy to work with.”
“Where do you find such beautiful marble rocks?” his soon-to-be friend inquired again.
The artist was patient and candid in his explanation:
“You can find them in marble mines in Makrana in Rajasthan. You have to be there when the rock is being mined. The selection is easier at night when the cutting is being done under powerful lights which highlight the inner lines in the rock. I live in the mine like a common labourer in a simple hut.”
Pateria, who went on to win several national awards for his work, was not the only one to have held the stone in such high regard. In fact, its origin story as an exquisite stone goes way back – the Taj Mahal, the Victoria Memorial, the Birla temple, the Jain temple in Mysore and the Golden Temple were all crafted with the Makrana Marble mined from deep within Rajasthan – the land of kings.
'Purity': Why Temple Experts Choose Makrana for Marble Temples
Its pristine white colour, with intricate natural patterns that add an ethereal touch to any space, are only some of the several defining features of the Makrana marble.
In the hands of the Sompura Salat, a venerable Brahmin community renowned for their expertise in temple architecture, the stone takes a more spiritual form. It becomes more than a medium— it transforms into an integral part of their life’s purpose.
More than an aesthetic preference, the Makrana white marble holds two vital attributes that align perfectly with their sacred endeavors. In the words of a member of the Sompura community, “Makrana marble doesn’t absorb external impurities. In this way, the marble is a reflection of our own striving to withstand and resist the impurities of the external world. Compared with other marble, Makrana marble will look exactly the same after a thousand years.”
Thus, when these artisans combine their skills with the marble; it becomes a symphony in stone, an ode to devotion and artistry. When used in home temples, it exudes a sense of purity and sanctity, creating an environment conducive to spiritual practices. Take a look at our marble home temple designs here.
The Spiritual & The Scientific: Makrana Marble in Vastu
The preference for Makrana marble extends beyond artists. In the intricate realm of Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture and design, the selection of building materials plays a pivotal role in shaping a harmonious and balanced living space. Vastu experts have time and again recommended this stone for its perceived positive energy, historical significance, and unparalleled beauty.
Pristine White Colour: In the palette of Vastu colors, white is sacred – symbolizing purity and positive energy. The Makrana marble we use in our designs is predominantly white and aligns harmoniously with these symbolic representations. Its bright, clean appearance not only enhances the visual appeal of a space but also contributes to creating an atmosphere of spiritual cleanliness.
Positive Vibrations: These experts also often value materials with a significant heritage, associating them with positive vibrations and a sense of cultural continuity. As mentioned before, the Makrana marble, with its legacy of being used in the Taj Mahal and other historic monuments comes with its own cultural abundance.
Resilience: The stone’s resilience and ability to withstand the test of time become yet another key feature – Vastu experts always choose long-lasting materials since they contribute to stability.
How Makrana Marble Makes Intricate Designs Possible
Spirituality aside, artisans have also preferred the Makrana for its workability. The revered stone has two unique characteristics that make it the ideal choice for crafting intricate designs – its close granulation and calcitic nature.
For the uninitiated, while close granulation makes sure that the particles in the marble are closely packed together and its texture is more uniform, calcitic marble tends to have good polishing properties.
The fine particles in the Makrana, thus, become easier to carve and shape compared to coarser-grained varieties. Its composition, which includes a high percentage of calcite, makes it suitable for a glossy finish when polished.
In fact, this is exactly what makes possible three unique designs possible: 'Jaali','Carving' & 'Inlay' or Parchin Kari.
Jaali: Jaalis or perforated stones and latticed screens, were used in ancient Indian sanctuaries dedicated to Buddhism, Jainism & Hinduism. These early temples used this net-like design to control lighting and create an atmosphere conducive to worship. The Ustajis have perfected this art on the Makrana marble over centuries.
Carving: Also known as ‘Gadhai,’ this is a foundational technique used to depict mythological scenes, floral patterns and geometric designs on marble. The garbhagriha of the Ram temple in Ayodhya tells the tale of devotion with intricate carvings on marble sourced from Makrana.
Inlay: One of the most enchanting applications of Makrana marble is in Pietra Dura, also known as Parchin Kari in the Indian subcontinent. This decorative art form utilizes mosaic techniques to inlay marble and other precious stones, creating intricate images and patterns. The echoes of Makrana marble in Pietra Dura resonate with the exquisite inlay work seen in the Taj Mahal, showcasing its enduring significance in the world of art.
So, Why Is Makrana Marble Better Than The Rest? Here’s a Story
In the grand tapestry of marbles from around the world, Makrana emerges not just as a choice but as a statement—a testament to the enduring beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance that few others can rival.
In the early 1900s, Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of the British Empire in India, was on a quest for the perfect marble to construct a grand memorial for Queen Victoria.
Lord Curzon turned to Sir Thomas Holland, then Director of the Geological Survey of India, for advice: Should he choose European marbles, particularly from Greece and Italy or an Indian variety?
Sir Thomas Holland believed that the Makrana marble from India could rival the beauty of its European counterparts. To validate this, he initiated a meticulous study comparing 30 samples of different European and Indian marbles.
The criteria included specific gravity, porosity, surface structure, and resistance to the Indian monsoons. Astonishingly, the Makrana marble outperformed Italian and Greek marbles, proving to be more resistant to the challenging Indian weather.
The conclusion was that the marble from Makrana had a smaller grain boundary area per unit volume, making it less susceptible to water penetration. It was decided that this exquisite marble from the very quarries that supplied Shah Jahan for the construction of the Taj Mahal would be used for Queen Victoria's memorial.
Nearly 80 years after the Victoria Memorial's completion, as signs of wear appeared on its façade, a scientific inquiry debunked concerns about the marble itself, attributing the deterioration to the mortar used in construction.
This goes on to show that its elegance is not merely skin-deep. It is a reflection of centuries of artistry, making Makrana marble, that we use in our designs, not just a material but a tradition, a heritage, and a timeless legacy. It continues to shape the aesthetics of the present and the reverence for beauty that transcends generations.
Makrana Vs Others: A Comparison
The Makrana marble holds the distinction of being Asia's inaugural Global Heritage Stone Resource (GHSR), a recognition officially endorsed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
This prestigious designation is conferred upon natural stone resources that have not only captivated with their beauty or rarity but have also left an enduring legacy through extensive utilization in human culture. In essence, attaining GHSR status signifies more than aesthetic appeal; it underscores the stone's significant historical and cultural contributions. Here’s a breakdown of why the Makrana stands out:
Makrana Vs Vietnamese: This counterpart comes in diverse colors and patterns, but it often lacks the pristine elegance associated with the Makrana. The latter's timeless aesthetic makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a classic and refined look for their home temple designs.
Makrana Vs Rajnagar: While the Rajnagar marble has more visible veins and patterns, the Makrana marble is often preferred for its minimal veining, providing a clean and elegant look. It is popular for its uniform appearance.
Makrana Vs Carrara: The Carrara variety, especially when used for marble temples, lacks inherent purity. The Carrara comes with greyish undertones which doesn’t particularly look good on temples with a pristine aesthetic.
Makrana Vs Calacatta: This variant too is a premium option, but comes with a bold veining. The Makrana is a better choice for a cleaner, pristine and less busy appearance.
Makrana Vs Crema Marfil: Unlike the Makrana, this variant has a cream-coloured base and might not be ideal for home temples. White is the color associated with divinity and is recommended by Vastu experts for sacred spaces.
'The Makrana Magic'
Makrana marble, thus, transcends its material identity. In the grand symphony of marbles, Makrana stands not just as a choice but as a melody echoing through the corridors of time, resonating with the enduring spirit of craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
In the words of Abdul Rehman, who spoke to The Hindu about his experience with the marble for decades, "The best characteristic of the marble here is that it doesn't require treatment. It's taken up for cutting and chiseling straight from the mine. Makrana marbles are also clean without pinholes or scratch surfaces that require chemicals to fill up the fissures.”
“Why do you think the Taj Mahal or the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata has lasted centuries? It's because of the Makrana magic!” he added.
