What is common between Vittala temple of Hampi & Nellaiappar temple of Tirunelveli? What is common between Airawateeswarar temple of Dharasuram & Mayan Kukulcan temple,Chichen Itza? Pic 1: Vittala temple pillars Pic2: Airawateeswarar temple Pic 3: Kukulcan temple pic 4: Quetzal

Vittala Temple - The musical pillars that play saptaswaram depending on which pillar, one strikes. Geological analysis of these found that, there was some kind of metallic ore and silica present in them. The Deccan Sultans when they invaded Hampi tried to char the temple by

setting it on fire and kept the fire up for months, this reduced the decibels of these pillars but nothing happened. The Brits went one step ahead and broke two of the pillars just to see what engineering was used, only to find out that they were hollow.

One can actually play these pillars like a keyboard to create some foot tapping tunes even today!! The temple was built between 8th and 16th century. They tried to ruin it in every way,

but the marvel of ancient engineering and architecture is such it stands tall even today, beckoning us to play some beautiful Raga. The musical pillars are the testimony of Vijayanagara architectural technique.

Nellaiappar temple- built by early Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings contributed to this temple- one standout addition being the musical pillars. These pillars are seen in Meenakshi temple & few other temple in TN.

Airawateeswarar temple, Dharasuram - bali peedham here has musical steps which plays different saptaswaram depending upon the steps. The temple itself is carry intricate carvings, overall a testimony to Chola architecture.

El Castillo temple of Chichen Itza - When a clapping noise is made, the temple’s high and narrow limestone steps act as separate sound scatterers, bouncing back a chirp-like tone that declines in frequency.

Mayans perfected the musical notes through years of trial and error, making design modifications to produce a more accurate rendition of a quetzal chirp, the sacred bird of the Mayans.