The art of stone carving developed in India, a little later when compared to woodcarving. India has a huge resource of different variety of stones and our skilled craftsmen impart life into them. The Indian craftsman's mastery over stone is best revealed in the architecture and sculptures found in Khajuraho temples. The intricate carvings found at Sanchi are among the finest found anywhere in the world. Gaya, a pilgrim site for the Buddhists also has an ancient tradition of stone carving.

The ancient stone carvers were guided by the Shilpa Shastra, which clearly laid the rules for them. The main deity was carved by specialists who were knowledgeable in the properties of different stones, their grain, as well as their proportion needed for the carving.

The act of carving the deity was considered as an act of worship and was considered as a sacred ritual. Stone temples are built even today and the Sthapathis of Tamilnadu as well as the Somapuras of Gujarat and Rajasthan are in good demand throughout the country.

Varanasi is an important center for stone carving works. Here a community of people called the Raidas do it. Around Varanasi, Hamirpur, Tehri Garhwal and Bageshwar are famous for statue works whereas Banda is known for agate stone works.

Agra in Uttar Pradesh is famous for its marble stone works. Many pieces like lattice windows, mirror frames, carved brackets, canopies, pendants and filigree works are carved here. The craftsmen are famous for their inlay works. Mostly geometrical and floral patterns are worked on using colored stones and semi precious ones.

Rajasthan maintains a rich tradition of stone carving even in the common domestic buildings. Doorframes are commonly built of red stones. Windows have stone trellis works and even the supporting frame for the loom is made of carved stones. Jaipur is one of the most important centers where a large community of stone carvers carve deities in marble. Large commemorative stones are a common sight in Rajasthan as well as in Gujarat.

Orissa also has a tradition of stone carving. Besides the main deity they also carve figures for the temple friezes. Nowadays soft stones are used for carving small souvenir items, which are meant for sales to the tourists.

Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu deals with hard granite stone carvings. There is also a school for training the Sthapathis according to the rules of the ancient Shilpa Shastras. marble work with glass Marble carving with glassworks from Jaipur Palace soapstone carving Soapstone carved image

In Karnataka, Devanahalli a village near Mysore produces carved figures in relief on black stone. The figures appear to have movement and strength in their postures. The figures not only have the effect of light and shade and a rounded form but also a linear quality.

Durgi, in Andhra Pradesh is another stone carving center where large nandis, bulls and local deity images are carved.