India is celebrated for the unity in its diversity, and white marble is a strong symbol of this. Most of the notable places of worship – of all faiths – have used white marble that radiates calm and peace. This is not just the case in India, but across the globe.

Religious places in Delhi made with white marble

• Lotus temple
• Moti Masjid
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
• Shri Jagannath Mandir

Religious places in India made with white marble:

• Dilwara Jain Temple, Rajasthan
• Birla Mandir, Hyderabad
• Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata
• Golden Temple, Amritsar

Famous places of worship in the world made with white marble:

• Mecca, Saudi Arabia
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
• Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
• Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, New Jersey

The Great Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

So why is it that people of every faith, every region choose white marble for construction of religious places?

Why should you use white marble in places of worship?

Natural

Marble is a natural stone, and people across the globe prefer natural materials for constructing places of worship. Wood, metals like copper, silver, gold, etc. and sandstones are some of the traditionally used materials. However, only few measure up to the everlasting beauty of marble.

White marble is used in places of worship as a symbol of purity and immortal natural beauty.

Colour

White is a colour known to radiate calm. It glows and disperses light in every direction, lending the space a heavenly ambience. Right from polished floors to intricately carved structures – every inch of white marble shines with divine beauty. This exquisite characteristic makes it an obvious choice for places of worship.

Range

Yes, you can select from a vast range of white marble. The minor variations make all the difference. From warm tints to cool tones, and varying patterns of veins, there is no end to choices. Irrespective of the architectural style, design theme, and space dimensions, white marble prevails as an unassailable option.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican

Durability

Marble is known for its longevity and durability. As mentioned above, few natural materials used in the construction of religious places endure the test of time. White marble, being a homogenous natural stone, outlives materials like wood and sandstone. Even if the colour pales with heavy footfalls, a quick polish restores the deific magnificence of the stone.

Carving

Admittedly, we Indians are fond of intricate artwork, and places of worship invite the most creative artisans to contribute to its beauty. White marble presents the perfect canvas for carving. It’s hard, but still softer than granites, quartzites and phyllites, making it an ideal utensil for exquisite creativity.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New Jersey