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Mahabalipuram is a town in Kancheepuram district in
the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a 7th century port city of the South
Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai
in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to have been named after the Pallava king
Mamalla. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and
the 9th century, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History :- The temples of Mamallapuram, built largely during the
reigns of Narasimhavarman and his successor Rajasimhavarman, showcase the
movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building. The mandapas or
pavilions and the rathas or shrines shaped as temple chariots are hewn from
the granite rock face, while the famed Shore Temple, erected half a century
later, is built from dressed what makes Mamallapuram so culturally resonant
are the influences it absorbs and disseminates. All but one of the rathas
from the first phase of Pallava architecture are modelled on the Budhist
viharas or monasteries and chaitya halls with several cells arranged around
a courtyard. Art historian Percy Brown, in fact, traces the possible roots
of the Pallavan Mandapas to the similar rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora.
Referring to Narasimhavarman's victory in AD 642 over the Chalukyan king
Pulakesin II, Brown says the Pallavan king may have brought the sculptors
and artisans back to Kanchi and Mamallapuram as 'spoils of war.
Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, was the chief seaport of the Pallavas who
ruled over much of South India from as early as the first century B.C to the
eighth century A.D., and it is now recognized as the site of some of the
greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India. Under the reign
of Narasimha Varman (c. 630), this seaport began to grow as a great artistic
center. The beautiful cave temples and gigantic open air reliefs carved from
blocks of granite date to the seventh century.
Tourism :- people from various parts of India and across the globe
throng the city of Mahabalipuram. The relaxed souls and the rejuvenated
bodies make up for the perfect holiday trip to the southern India. While you
are planning your Golden triangle tour of southern India the annual dance
festival of Mahabalipuram can also be incorporated. The Dance Festival is
hosted by the Department of Tourism of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The
extravagance of classical music and dance has performances of
Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi and folk dances by the best
artists. Various artists from across the globe throng the Attending the
festival will prove to be an entirely unique and unforgettable experience.
The festival commences on the 25th of December and is conducted on all
Saturdays and Government holidays, up to the first week of February. The
seat for the audiences is near the sea, which offers the nature at its best
too. The sea is a prime attraction for the tourists to the land owing to its
relaxed nature and the opportunity to sun bathe. The location of
Mahabalipuram on the coast of Bay of Bengal increases it importance
multifold.
Art & Culture :- Mamallapuram known for its rocks carvings and
monolithic sculptures has the famous shore temple, the only one to have
survived the ravages of nature. Also known as the Seven Pagodas (temples),
six now lie submerged in the sea.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - The nearest airport is at Chennai about 58-km way from Mahabalipuram which has both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is
connected with all the major places in India through the numerous domestic
flights. International flights also operate from various parts of the world
to Chennai.
By Rail - The nearest railway stations from Mahabalipuram are Chengalpattu
(29-km) and Chennai (58-km). From these stations one has to take the road to
reach Mahabalipuram.
By Road - Mahabalipuram is connected with a good network of roads. There are
bus available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to
Mahabalipuram daily. One can also hire a taxi from Chennai.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to travel Mahabalipuram is winter between November and
February.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Arjuna Penance :- It is an enormous relief
made on two huge boulders is the universe itself in stone, throbbing
with a vastness of conception. This colossus of art, 27 metres long and
9 metres high, is perhaps the world's largest bas-relief. The cleft in
the rock depicts the descent of the Ganga, brought to earth by King
Bhagiratha to redeem the cursed souls of his ancestors. The two large
elephants are remarkable for their artistry, and so are the scenes from
the Panchatantra.
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The Varaha Cave :- It is a small rock-cut mandapam
(hall), is a faceted and finished gem with two incarnations of
Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). The Dharmaraja Cave,
built in the early seventh century, contains three empty shrines. The
Mahisasurmardini Cave (mid-seventh century) has fine bas-reliefs on its
panels of enduring beauty. The Somaskanda sculpture radiates peace,
power, and wisdom while Lord Vishnu is shown in omniscient repose in a
masterpiece of dhwani (the art of suggestion). On the opposite side is a
huge theatrical panel showing, Goddess Durga's fight with the demon
Mahishasura, an episode culled from the celebrated Sanskrit poem Devi
Mahatmya.
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Rathas :- A group of structures lying at the
southern extreme of Mahabalipuram, amidst casuarina trees, are the
famous Rathas (chariots). The Pancha Pandava Rathas, as they are called,
are five in number. Out of these, four are carved out of a single rock,
while the fifth on the west is scooped out from a small rock. The square
Draupadi and Arjuna Rathas, the linear Bhima Ratha, the taller
Dharamraja Ratha and the apsidal Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha, constitute the
complex.
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Krishna Mandapam :- The Krishna Temple is one of
the earliest rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram. The walls of the temples
depict scenes of pastoral life, one with the image of Krishna lifting
the Govardhan Hill in his fingertips to protect his people from Indra.
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Shore Temple :- The windswept and surf-beaten
Shore Temple, the mute tireless sentinel of the shore, is the ultimate
expression of Mahabalipuram. A three-in-one abode of God-a Vishnu temple
sandwiched between two Shiva temples-it is a visual delight, its
precincts abounding in architectural masterpieces. On either side of it
the sea spreads, illimitable and infinite. The compound wall of this
temple is lined with charming sculptures of Nandi the bull while the
figure of Vishnu is present in the sanctum sanctorum.
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WHERE TO EAT
There few good restaurants in town.
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