Thinthini Pathar is located in the village of Chhindkalo, post Darima in Chhattisgarh, not too far from Ambikapur. It is a unique rock that produces a musical metallic sound when hit by another stone. It lies on top of a pile of similar stones. But they are unique as none of the other stones have musical qualities. This cylindrical rock roughly measures 2 meters and 35 cm in length and 95 cm in width. You can see some grooves on the rock. If they are natural and provide the ringing quality to the rock or if they have appeared after the rock has been hit by humans is not known. Watch the above video of the musical rock.
Musical Rock or Thinthini Pathar – Tourist Places in Chhattisgarh
There is no official record of its discovery but since the British days, it has been known for its unique property. Folktales around this stone say that there was a fairy dancing there. And when the people of the village saw her, she froze to become this stone. Since then this stone has had musical properties. For the same reason, it is believed to be divine.
I am not sure what scientific properties make this stone unique, but it reminds me of the musical pillars that I saw at Hampi. Are those pillars made of special stones like this or is it the crafting that made them musical? The next question is do these stones correspond to a particular note or do they have more than one note hidden in them? If anyone has answers to this, please share them with me.
Video of the Incredible Musical Pathar
Do watch this small clip captured during my visit to this musical rock in Chhattisgarh. It is posted on the IndiTales Youtube channel.
Update
A reader from a university in the United Kingdom wrote to me about Ringing Rocks. And said the grooves or cupules are found in many rocks but not every rock has a ringing quality. He sent me some research papers that indicate that quite a few ringing rocks have been found in the Bellary region of Karnataka. These rocks were probably used by hunter-gatherers to either chase away or attract animals. I was happy to know that they came to know of Thinthini Pathar through this blog. And would hopefully add it to their list of rocks to be researched.
Recommend you to read the following Tourist Places in Chhattisgarh.
Temple of Devrani Jethani, Tala, Bilaspur
Purkhauti Muktangan – An Ode To Ancestors
I find these kind of stones very intriguing. There must be something unique to them. 🙂
Haven’t been to Hampi but seen similar type of pillars in Ajanta caves also.
I believe that the rock must have some hallow section inside to produce that kind of interesting metallic sound.
Yes Nisha, I believe the metallic content is very high in these stones.
Jesse, no the rock is not hollow – I was told it is too heavy to be hollow.
I am not sure what scientific properties make this stone unique, but it reminds me of musical pillars that I saw at Hampi. Are those pillars made of special stones like this or is it the crafting that made them musical. Next question is do these stones correspond to a particular note or they have more than one note hidden in them? If anyone has answers to this, please share them with me. It is really interesting , I would like to add something . I was watching a program on IBN 7 news that i a deep cave there is a hanging stone pillar which rings like a tabla . I hope you will find it worthy and will go for it .
Thanks Yogi for sharing this information. Do you remember the location of that hanging pillar?
You can find musical rocks even at Darasuram temple in Tamil Nadu.
Hanging pillar is in lepakshi temple; anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Many temples built by vijaya nagara emperors, hoyasala emperors are having this kind of uniqueness in music and architecture. Hampi, Beluru, Halebeedu, Lepakshi, badami, somanathapura, pattadakkal, etc., are some of the examples. South Indian temples are really fascinating with their pure Indian style of architecture.
Yes, Harsh, the temples of South India are beautiful.
Hi, nice read !! I had seen the musical pillars at Hampi.
How far is this village from Ambikapur city ?
Do not remember exactly but it is very close to Ambikapur.
Good n thanks
Glad you enjoyed reading about Thinthini Pathar.
Anuradhaji,
I have been following your travel blogs for about a year. Im at AWE at the incredible travels you have undertaken and the details with which you have blogged about them.
I often use your blogs to plan my leisure, pilgramage around other business travels that I undertake and thank you for your guidance during my travels.
pranam,
Shamit
Shamit Ji – Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. Stay connected and we will keep bringing you more story from India and the world.