Wisdom of a Million Years – Igneous Rocks of the Deccan Plateau

Views of the adjoining rocky hills from the landscape of the Hyderabad Collective

They say rocks carry the information of millions of years. Their slow, seasoned, almost poetic formations speak a language, which, if we try to understand, we can gain the knowledge travelled through generations. For their wise nature, ancient rock formations, such as that of the Deccan Plateau, are revered by the people living in those landscapes, which also makes the rocks worthy of preserving so that the tales they witness can be relived by generations to come. 

Having Beforest’s Hyderabad Collective right in the middle of these ancient rocks, we explore these igneous rock formations of the Deccan Plateau, their history, the cultural beliefs surrounding them and how we are looking to conserve and create a sanctuary for our members.

History of the Deccan Plateau 

The Peninsular India is full of incredulous geological marvels. Much like the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot and the last remaining continuous forest stretch for the asiatic elephants, the Deccan Plateau is a a vast geological wonder in India, is celebrated for its extensive igneous rock formations, primarily basalt, birthed from massive volcanic eruptions about 66 million years ago. These rocks, forming the Deccan Traps, represent one of the world’s largest volcanic provinces, unveiling Earth’s ancient volcanic history in the region and its significant impact on both the environment and human evolution.

These formations of igneous rocks provided durable materials for early tools and, as societies evolved, became the cornerstone for monumental architecture, including temples and forts that stand as a testament to the history of the humongous plateau.

Sacred Rocks

The importance of the Deccan Plateau goes beyond geology and history; the formation of these igneous rocks holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. 

Sacred sites and ancient temples, such as the awe-inspiring Ellora Caves, are carved directly into this basalt, merging the spiritual with the natural world in a celebration of artistry and faith transcending the status of these deccan plateau rocks to that of sacred rocks. This intertwining of nature and spirituality is mirrored in local folklore, where these rocks are often seen as embodiments of divine or natural forces, highlighting a deep-rooted respect for nature.

Wisdom of Million Years

The igneous rock tell a stories of the Earth’s dynamic past, of civilisations that flourished by harnessing the natural resources around them, and of cultures that sought deeper meanings in the rugged landscapes they inhabited. The Deccan Plateau, with its vast expanses of igneous rock, remains a symbol of the enduring relationship between humans and the Earth, a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature and the resilience of life.

A Sanctuary for the Future 

At Beforest, we recognise that these magnificent formations hold the history of the Deccan Plateau, from the formation of the igneous rocks to the revered status of becoming sacred. These rocks hold significance both geologically, historically and culturally and as we build a collective around these rocks, we are trying to conserve the history and create a sanctuary for our Hyderabad Collective members.