An Ancient Indian Temple With 56 Musical Pillars That Play Individual Notes When Struck

While visiting Hampi, India, filmmaker Sunil Krishnan of CamBuff captured wonderful footage of the ancient Vittala Temple, a gorgeous stone structure with a section (Ranga Mandapa) that features 56 musical pillars that play a different note when gently struck. These towers are called SaReGaMa, named after the first four notes on the Indian music scale.

The pillars, named SaReGaMa, are so-called after the first four notes (svaras) of the standard scale in Indian classical music – similar to the Western Do Re Mi Fa (solfège).

Krishnan’s footage was so impressive that the History Channel contacted him to use it for their Ancient Aliens series.

the History channel producers from LA contacted me for licencing one of my travel videos. They found my video on YouTube and thought it will be good addition to their ‘Ancient Aliens’ TV series. 

A photographer named Sam J separately captured beautiful photos of the temple.

Vittala Temple
Vittala Temple Vittala Temple

via Boing Boing

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.