Chunar Balua Patthar is a clastic sedimentary rock that is made up of cemented sand grains and basically a firm sandstone with a reddish-buff color and fine grains that is quarried in the Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh. It is extensively used in Indian architecture. It is also locally called as Balua patthar, Pattiya patthar, and Baad.
Chuar Balua Patthar is sodination in the past its from layer by layer with sufficient vertical thickness, this natural process helps to produce a different dimension of stone without any fracture. This sandstone is special because its luster never fades.
It has been widely used as in situ rock shelters, carved sculptures of deities, in temples, forts, heritage buildings, and monuments and also as art and architectural elements from prehistoric and historic times.
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Image Credit : nabard.com
This sandstone has been used in ancient and contemporary places of worship of different faiths in eastern and central India, river embankments locally called as ghats in Varanasi and Mirzapur districts, forts and fortresses, bridges, roads, tunnels, educational institutions gardens, and places of public utility.
The use of this sandstone is evidenced in one of the oldest divine site for Buddhists, the Maha Bodhi Temple Complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located in Bodh Gaya. The National Emblem of India is taken from the Lion capital of Ashoka in Sarnath and is carved from these sandstones.
The physical, chemical, and mechanical composition of Chunar Balua Patthar is almost uniform, and as a result, even after spending years submerged in water, the stone has maintained its smooth appearance from the quarry. For example, few portion of steer of Varanasi ghat and down side platform are under the water since hundreds of year, still they retain their appearance.
There is historical a record of about 285 old quarries in and around Chunar area, where these rocks are well exposed.
Some of characteristic character of Chunar Balua Patthar are as follows:
- Uniformly distributed grain of almost equal size and dimension.
- High degree of compactness.
- Very high crushing strength. Appreciable porosity which keeps optimum moisture.
- High degree of durability and low level of weathering due to siliceous cementing material, which keeps grain intact.
- Cool in summer and hot in winter as compared to other similar kind of stone.
GI Tag Registration Date : 04 March 2019
GI Tag Number : 557
Certificate Number : 339
Geographical Area : Uttar Pradesh
Special Cover Release Date : 13 October 2021
Cancellation : Mirzapur 231 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : UP/100/2021
Each cover is numbered. Total 1500 covers are issued.
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Enlarged View of Cancellation
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