Thread by @artist_rama

Let's be clear on this.
There are three kinds of stones selected for Sculpting the Murtis in our temples.

Pumshila, Strishila & Napunsaka Shila.

Thread...

@ReclaimTemples @punarutthana @LostTemple7 @TheSaveTemples @wiavastukala @priya_27_

https://twitter.com/abhinandan_rao/status/1380943801716404225

1. Pumshila when hit with a stone sounds like Metal Iron. This stone is used for making the "Moola Viraats" (Main deities) of temple.

That's the reason, all the Moola Viraats make such sound.

Pumshilas are strong, suitable for making Life Size Murtis.

2. StriShila sounds like a Brass vessel.
They are used for making the "Devi" Murtis or the Consorts of Moola Viraats. In General the Devi Murtis are lesser in size in comparison to Moola Viraats. So, a smaller shila with lesser quality will do.

3. Napunsaka Shila sounds like the pots. They are lesser quality used in making the Murtis that are installed exterior of the Garbha Griha & on temple walls.

The Selection of these stones is not strict and final.

In general - Full size main deity Vishnu is made in Pumshila, His consorts in Strishila & his Dwarapalas & Vahana in Napunsaka Shila.

Sometimes Pumshila is also used in making Devis or Dwarapalas.

But StriShila & Napunsaka Shila are never used to make the Moola Viraat.

Anyways this Level of specificity degenrated today. Machines are used for Sculpting. So, a shilpi will never understand how a shila is sounding when hit with chisel & Hammer.

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