| Title | ग्रेनाइट पाषाण (Granite Stone)Rare Grēnāiṭa Pāṣāṇa Granite Stone |
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| Description | ग्रेनाइट शिला (Grēnāiṭa Shilā), also known as कठोर पाषाण (Kaṭhora Pāṣāṇa - hard stone), is a coarse-grained igneous rock extensively utilized in Indic heritage architecture [1]. Primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica, its density ranges from 2.6-2.75 g/cm³ [2]. Quarried across the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, it served as a crucial construction material from the Early Historic Period onwards. The Chalukya, Chola, Vijayanagara, and Hoysala dynasties employed it for foundation stones, load-bearing walls, pillars (स्तम्भ - stambha), and sculptures (मूर्ति - mūrti) [3]. Compressive strength measures 100-250 MPa, with water absorption between 0.1-0.5% [2]. Traditional construction methods leveraged its durability. Conservation efforts address weathering and erosion, employing techniques to preserve its structural integrity and aesthetic value in heritage sites. Its low porosity (0.1-3%) contributes to longevity. Thermal expansion coefficient is 7-9 x 10⁻⁶/°C. कृष्णशिला (Kṛṣṇaśilā - black stone) variants were also favored. |
| Also Known As | Granite Stone Grēnāiṭa Pāṣāṇa Granite Stone Granite Igneous Rock ग्रेनाइट पत्थर कठोर पाषाण कृष्णशिला கல் கிரானைட் (Kal kirāṉaiṭ) గ్రానైట్ రాయి (Granaiṭ rāyi) ಗ್ರಾನೈಟ್ ಕಲ್ಲು (Granaiṭ kallu) ഗ്രാനൈറ്റ് കല്ല് (Grānaiṟṟ kallŭ) |
| Tags | Granite Shila Stone Quarry Masonry Igneous Rock Dimension Stone |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-085970135-20-11-25-GA |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/granite-stone |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/granite-stone |
| Total Sites | 2 |
| Primary Sites | 2 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
| Types | Igneous Rock Natural Stone Dimension Stone |
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| Regions | Karnataka Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh |
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| Time Periods | Early Historic Period Early Medieval Period Medieval Period Vijayanagara Period |
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| Dynasties | Chalukya Dynasty Chola Dynasty Vijayanagara Dynasty Hoysala Dynasty |
| Sources | Aihole quarries (Karnataka) Ilkal quarries (Karnataka) Kuppam quarries (Andhra Pradesh) Local quarries in South India |
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| Properties | Density: 2.6-2.75 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 100-250 MPa Water absorption: 0.1-0.5% Thermal expansion coefficient: 7-9 x 10⁻⁶/°C Porosity: 0.1-3% |
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| Uses | Foundation stones Load-bearing walls Pillars Paving Sculptures Column bases Structural elements |
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| Materials | Lime Mortar Surkhi (Brick Dust) Cement Sand |
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| Styles | Dravidian architecture Vijayanagara architecture Temple architecture |
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| Categories | Temple Mandapa Fort Palace Public Buildings |
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| Notes |
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Geology of Karnataka | Book | Granite deposits and properties |
| Geological Survey of India Reports | Technical Report | Granite characterization |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis of South Indian granites |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu Temple Greater Chicago Lemont | Primary | 100% | |
| Malinithan Temple Likabali | Primary | 100% |