TBI Photo Essay: Idar – God’s Own Art Gallery

At a time, when beautiful Natural Rock Formations around the country are being pulverised by greedy quarry owners, particularly in Andhra where they were once abundant, here is a story from Gujarat. Here, the Natural Rock Formations protect the villagers, and the villagers in turn protect the Rocks that protect them!

By Gangadharan Menon

October 18, 2012

My earliest memories of nature’s own sculptures date back to my childhood. On the innumerable train journeys from Mumbai to Kerala, I remember them as fleeting images framed by the train window, as the train chugged through the state of Andhra Pradesh. But on a recent trip, I discovered that they have been razed to the ground by the greedy bull-dozers of quarry owners.

But one such gallery still remains intact in the state of Gujarat, tenaciously preserved by the villagers, even if it is because of a local legend.

This village is called Idar, and it is a 2-hour drive from the bustling city of Ahmedabad via Gandhinagar and Himmatnagar. Two kilometres before you reach Idar, you see them in the distance from a village called Saapawada.

It is an exquisite open-air art gallery where God decided to display his artworks permanently. The entrance to this menagerie of frozen animals is fiercely guarded by a real dog.

Please click below to go to the next page.

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?