|
The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, in Tamilnadu, about 58 km from Chennai, were built by the Pallava kings in the 7th and 8th centuries. The town is said to have gained prominence under the rule of Mamalla. These monuments have been carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast.
The temple town has approximately forty monuments, including the
largest open-air bas-relief in the world. The monuments inscribed are the Ratha Temples: Temples in the form of chariots, Mandapas, 11 Cave sanctuaries covered with bas-reliefs, rock relief of Descent of the Ganges, which is the largest open air Rock relief also known as Arjuna's Penance or Bhagiratha's Penance. |
Shore Temple. The oldest structure in the area, build c. 700 AD,
this temple has been here for more than 1400 years. However, unlike
Mamallapuram's other monuments, the Shore Temple is a building (not
carved from rock) and the bulk of the current structure is a
reconstruction after it was struck by a cyclone. It's not particularly
large, and the carvings have been badly eroded by the wind and the sea,
but this adds to the sense of antiquity. The area around the temple is
now a landscaped park, with guards keeping the hordes of souvenir
hawkers at bay.
A Shiva lingam is enshrined in the central building and
the site can get very crowded on weekends.
Shopping at Mahabalipuram
Mamallapuram wakes each day to the sound of
sculptors' chisels on granite. Mamallpuram is the ‘Heart
of Indian Temple Sculpture’. It has produced many splendid sculptures.
The tourists buy many small sculptures and artistry
works made by the
artisans.
The shopping is excellent in Mahabalipuram. Handmade crafts made by
people in the region are the specialty. These handmade crafts many times
come in the form of stone statues carved to look like the enormous
originals that are in the area. These statues are normally carved out of
granite which enhances their beauty. Many people are more than glad to
travel to this region to acquire such fine artistic pieces made by
quality artisans. Soapstone images, wood carvings, jewelry, and items
made from local seashells are also popular items that are sold in the
local shops.
 |
| Five Rathas (Pancha Pandava Rathas). This site contains five rathas,
literally chariots, dating from the 7th century. The sculptures are
complemented by some enormous stone animals, including a large elephant.
|
 |
| Arjuna's Penance, also known as the Descent of the Ganges.
A giant bas-relief filled with detailed carvings, including a family
of elephants and monkeys. Archaeologists still squabble over what,
exactly, the bas relief depicts; the central figure may actually depict
Bhagiratha, not Arjuna.
|
 |
Krishna's butter ball
Krishna's Butterball is a giant natural rock perched on a
hillside, seemingly in defiance of all laws of physics—it's a common
sight to see visitors placing hands under the stone posing for pics,
which looks as though they are holding it! The rock provides welcome
shade if you dare to sit underneath it,
and local kids have discovered
that the
slippery nearby hillside also makes a great natural slide.
|
 |
| At Krishna's butter ball |
 |
| Covelong beach |
 |
| Tiger's Caves is near the coastal village of Salurankuppam that is only 5
kilometers to the north of Mahabalipuram. This amazing mandapa contains
a shrine that is dedicated to the goddess Durga. There are large and
impressive figures located in front of the caves. As with most carvings
in India, the carvings and figures tell a story. This story has to do
with an event that happened to the goddess Durga. The Tiger's Caves are a
popular picnic spot, so you may want to plan your day s that you are
there at lunch time. Such a picnic would allow you to take in the sights
at the caves as well as enjoy the beauty of the landscape itself. |
