Like many things in Mahabalipuram, Krishna’s Butterball defies logic. And that’s part of the allure. It’s mind boggling really. How can this mammoth round boulder just stand there, balanced on a slope without toppling over? If you stop and think about it, this big rock of granite gneiss bewilders the brain.
How did it get this way? The geologists can explain Krishna’s Butterball, but I prefer the name given to it with a mythological context. The boulder is seen as a giant dollop of churned butter. It was dropped by the Hindu deity Krishna, Vishnu’s eighth avatar.
{Krishna had a cheeky habit of stealing butter when He was a child. He is, hence, also affectionately called ‘Maakhanchor’ (butter thief).}
A few locals also call it ‘Bheema’s Laddoo’. Whatever be the explanation, I enjoyed looking at Krishna’s Butterball and letting my mind wander. I arrived here from the Lighthouse which meant downhill walking and then climbing a little hillock.
Yet, there is a straight path from the road itself. The main path (from the road) is relatively short and easy. Once you arrive at the base of the slope, it is up to you if you want to climb to Krishna’s Butterball to touch it (or, try to push it!).
I strongly encourage Krishna’s Butterball for anyone who loves getting out in nature and seeing cool stuff.
