Western Ghats Laterite

India

Façade of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, ld Goa

Year designation

2024

Lithology

Laterites of the Western Ghats constitute ferruginous minerals like magnetite, hematite (oxides), goethite (hydroxide) and clay minerals such as gibbsite and kaolinite with minor quartz in the matrix.

Aesthetics

Laterites of the Western Ghats are reddish brown to dark red in colour with yellow to white lining around the cavities.

Geological settings

Weathered material on Deccan basalts, greywackes
and granulites

Location

Konkan-Kanara belt from Maharashtra to Kerala, India

Façade of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, ld Goa

Echoes of heritage in india´s Western Ghats

The Western Ghats is dotted with numerous forts along Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Maharashtra boasts a variety of forts, including inland, headland, and island forts, with Vijaydurg Fort being a prominent example. Coastal forts in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg predominantly utilize lateritic rocks. Similarly, Goa‘s rich heritage is evident in its churches, convents, and forts, with the oldest petroglyphs found in Usgalimal village.
The Arvalem caves and Rivona caves showcase ancient rock-cut structures in laterite.The Churches and Convents of Goa, built with laterite as the core material, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The churches and convents feature impressive architecture, intricate craftsmanship,
and historical significance, making them important cultural landmarks not only for Goa but also for the broader world heritage community.
The extensive use of laterite in the Western Ghats region reflects the ingenuity of ancient builders and the diverse cultural influences that
shaped the region.