Krishna’s Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram

The Krishna's butterball also known as Vaan Irai Kal is a huge balancing rock, a granite rock formation resting on a short slop in the historical coastal town of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

The original name, Vaan Irai Kal is a Tamil word which means "Stone of Sky God". According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna often stole butter from his mother's butter handi(a copper or clay pot). 

It is approximately 20 ft high & 16 ft wide and has a weight of around 250 tonnes. It seems to float and slightly stand on a slope on top of a 4 ft high platform and is estimated to be 1200 years old. In 1969, a tour guide is said to suggest the name, "Krishna's Butterball", to Indira Gandhi who was on a tour of the city.

History:

The Pallava king Narasimhavarman (630-668 CE) made an attempt to move the ball but failed. In 1908, then governor of the city Arthur Havelock made an attempt to use seven elephants to move the rock from its position but failed. 

An Indian Tamil king Raja Raja Chola (985 & 104 CE) was inspired by the balance of this massive stone and created a never falling mud dolls called Tanjavur Bommai. It has a half spherical base which leads to come back to its original position every time one tries to make it fall.

How To Reach:

Mahabalipuram bus stand is located at a distance of 280 m from the butter ball. You can reach there by walk easily from bus stand.