Shivarapatna - a village of making Gods and Goddesses

I was looking for information on availability of black stone idols of Gods and Goddesses as one of my colleague wanted to construct a temple. I searched on internet as it is the first point of contact for many like me. I couldn’t get much info after doing couple of combination words search I could know about Shivarapatna (Shi-war-patna) Locating this place was not easy as no precise information about its location except it is present near to Kolar district of Karnataka. I enquired my friends belonging to that part about it and then I got info that it is near to Kolar on the way to Bangalore. But they also didn't have any accurate information.

Ganesha -black stone idol 

Devi statue

Shivarapatna is a remote village of Malur Taluk of Kolar but the stone idols carved here have been shipped to many countries and still many don’t know about this place. But the brokers are making money being mediators between the villagers and purchasers in India and Abroad.

Even reaching Shivarapatna is quite difficult as one has to either get down at Narsapur in Bangalore – Kolar road or at Shivarapatna gate in Kolar – Malur road. For going inside from main road one has to hire auto rickshaw or wait for the bus which comes not so frequently.

Idols of Gods and Goddesses

I had doubt about this place whether really stone carvings are done at this place out of black stone if so why it is not being so popularly known place to make black stone idols. I was really relieved and surprised to see people of entire village involved in making stone idols and especially the idols of God and Goddess in black stones and statues of few famous personalities.

Naga stone before polish

Ganesha idol before polish

Upon enquiry I got the info that the villagers supply stone idols for many places including abroad but only through brokers. Only thing the villagers know is receive orders and make ready idols either of people directly visiting here or of brokers. Also they connect their art of stone carving to the Gangas period as Ganga rulers were the one who made the people of this area to learn stone carving mainly to carve stone idols of Gods and Goddesses for the temples the rulers constructing and now the art is being passed in generations.

statue of Netaji carved in stone

I could see villagers’ expertise in making all sorts of idols and statues out of stones depending on the requirement. Even many takes idols from here for exhibition purpose as one can recollect seeing stones of Buddha in some resorts.

Anyone wishes to purchase anything made of black stones or of specific stones can visit this place and order and also you can give order to make any specific idols. One can get best price as you we will be directly interacting with sculptors but don’t forget to bargain significantly.