Pindwara in Rajasthan has stone carving in its DNA. Now, it is racing against time to supply finished stones for Ram temple
In Pindwara, a tribal tehsil in south Rajasthan’s Sirohi district, more than 1,000 stone carvers have been racing against time to finish columns, ceilings, beams and arches in pink sandstone for the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. The temple opening is scheduled for January 2024, and the deadline for its first phase is December this year.Ruparam, a 44-year-old stone-carver, has not taken a day off since the Mandir work began 18 months ago. The whirr and buzz of grinder and gang saw machines has become incessant with time.“Rain or sun, nothing stops work. While people feel blessed to send a brick for the Mandir’s construction, we are building much of it here,” says Ruparam, adding that he wants to visit the temple when it opens for Ram Lalla’s darshan.
There are about 20,000 carvers in Pindwara tehsil that is known for temple building. Of its 200-odd stone-cutting and carving units, about 60 are dedicated to building temples. The others have contributed in the construction of government buildings, offices, museums, large private houses, etc.The Swaminarayan temples in Abu Dhabi (to be completed by December), New Jersey and New Delhi, the upcoming Jain temples in Bangkok and Melbourne, and the corridor works around Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temples bear the imprint of Pindwara craftsmanship.Ashish Sompura, architect of the Ayodhya Mandir, says, “The stone carvers of Pindwara are unparalleled for craftsmanship. They are behind the construction of many magnificent temples around the country and overseas. That’s why three units in Pindwara were given the work of cutting and carving stones.”The Ram Mandir will also have an elaborate corridor that, Ashish says, will require about 8 lakh cubic feet of stonework. He’s confident the Pindwara units will bag the orders.Paresh Bhai Sompura, one of the three contractors carving stones for the Ram Mandir, says, “About 60 carving units in Pindwara are working for more than 100 temples in the country and outside. Any temple construction, especially in the Nagara style, has Pindwara at its centre.”
There are about 20,000 carvers in Pindwara tehsil that is known for temple building. Of its 200-odd stone-cutting and carving units, about 60 are dedicated to building temples. The others have contributed in the construction of government buildings, offices, museums, large private houses, etc.The Swaminarayan temples in Abu Dhabi (to be completed by December), New Jersey and New Delhi, the upcoming Jain temples in Bangkok and Melbourne, and the corridor works around Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temples bear the imprint of Pindwara craftsmanship.Ashish Sompura, architect of the Ayodhya Mandir, says, “The stone carvers of Pindwara are unparalleled for craftsmanship. They are behind the construction of many magnificent temples around the country and overseas. That’s why three units in Pindwara were given the work of cutting and carving stones.”The Ram Mandir will also have an elaborate corridor that, Ashish says, will require about 8 lakh cubic feet of stonework. He’s confident the Pindwara units will bag the orders.Paresh Bhai Sompura, one of the three contractors carving stones for the Ram Mandir, says, “About 60 carving units in Pindwara are working for more than 100 temples in the country and outside. Any temple construction, especially in the Nagara style, has Pindwara at its centre.”