Gopi's Churn,
Mamallapuram
The Hindu mythological name Gopi's churn refers to the episode of Lord Krishna and the cow herding girls (Gopikas) using vessel for churning butter. Gopi's churn is the large circular cistern neatly
scooped out of a large boulder located in front of the Trimurti Cave.
However the external portion of this circular cistern is left
unfinished and the cistern appear like the rock boulder. The top of the cistern
can be accessed through four stone steps and viewed. The cistern would have
been utilized to store water for purposes of ritual ceremonies.
Its presence is not very obvious, as the outer portion of the
boulder is left unfinished and looks like a boulder in the natural environment.
What is curious is the perfection with which the circular shape is achieved,
especially with those rudimentary chiseling tools available those days. But
then that goes true for much of the carving works in Mahabalipuram.