Stoneware is found at Durgi, Allagadda, and Tirupati. Practitioners of this craft are also found in Nellore district. Locally available soft stone is used to carve stone figures and Hindu deities. The craftesperson conforms to the standards of Shilpa Shastra or science of sculpture. Durgi stone craft hails from the temple town village of Durgi in the Palnadu region of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. These are intricate stone carvings made from a special kind of lime stone which is native to the region. The craft originated at Durgi in the 15th century and has flourished since then. At that time, sculptors realized the potential in using limestone over expensive marble and granite, giving birth to a new form of craft. The soft, whitish gray texture of the stone makes it ideal for creating ornamental sculptures of gods and goddesses. The craftsmen follow traditional carving techniques according to the Shilp Shastras. Today, a wide range of products are curated in order to expand the commercial reach of this craft. Apart from auspicious idols and statues, beautiful decor items are made using stone carvings.
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