Sholapith is a special variety of pith (waterside weed), used as raw material for developing the pith models. They are very light and careful handling is required. The pith is a very delicate material and highly brittle in nature. As shown in the figure at left the brown cover is sliced and removed, the ivory colored pith is used for making models. 

Artist using knife as the only tool for creating the sub-structure of  the models.

Pith sliced and binded is ready to be used as walls for Tanjore temple model.