Marble Carving of Uttar Pradesh

Ever since the Taj Mahal Agra has been a centre for marble carving. Craftsmen in city carve tiny replicas of the Taj Mahal and the city now has a repertoire of over 200 designs. The marble is brought from the Makrana quarries in Rajasthan. The real skill of craftsmen lies in carving intricate jaalis, geometric and floral lattices. The design is stenciled on to the marble surface at the workshops, holes are drilled using a hand-held drill and the piece is shaped with files and chisels. Pure white marble is also carved into three-dimensional idols. Articles like tables, pillars, doors and frames are also made using the skill. The products cater to an international clientele and the flourishing tourist industry. The skills of the craftsmen today are best seen at the Radhaswamy Temple, in Agra.