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Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram history

In India, Mahabalipuram is an important site for classical monuments, monolithic temples and cave temples. It is known as Mamallapuram as well. Significant numbers of tourists from all over the world are attracted to this location. Near the sea and rich in artistic wealth, Mahabalipuram is located. Not only for the study of ancient architecture and sculpture in the Tamil region, these monuments provide reach.

On the Coromandel Coast, which faces the Bay of Bengal, lies Mahabalipuram. This is an elegant place to watch, which during the 7th to 10th centuries of the Pallava Dynasty was a well-established sea port. This was the second capital of the Kanchipuram-ruled Pallavas. Mahabalipuram was previously known and referred to as Mamallapuram. There is a history of the former name of this town, 'Mahabalipuram.'

The name of Mahabalipuram was changed during the reign of King Narasimha Varman I(630-668AD). It has been renamed mahabalipuram, which until now has been called. There's a tale behind it. I was a brilliant and brave warrior by the name of King Mamallpuram Narasimha Varman. The title Mamalla, meaning 'the great wrestler,' was given to him, so the name was converted from Mahabalipuram to Mamallapuram considering the great king and his achievements.

The pallavas rose to be the pioneer in South India after the fall of the Gupta Dynasty. They ruled from the third century to the end of the ninth century A.D. Between 650 and 750 AD, the best time of their rule was and this time was called the Pallavas' Golden Age. There were very powerful pallavas. They've been deep thinkers.

It was during the reign of the Pallavas that great poets, playwrights, writers, craftsmen, scholars and saints appeared. As one may claim, in art and architecture, the pallavas are the founders and precursors of modern styles, and mahabalipuram is the best place to praise their ability and talent. There were imaginative and exuberant new sculptures and original paintings. This mahabalipuram location itself became their area of exploration and they made the best use of the resources.

Mahabalipuram sculptures

Among the seven majestic temples constructed here, the stately shrine elegantly set on the edge of the sea is a long survivor. Originally, building began around the middle of the 7th century and was later reconstructed during Narsimha Varma II 's reign, also known as Rajasimha. It is one of South India's oldest temples and marks the first step of Dravidian style structural temples.

Listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this symbol of the soaring aesthetic aspiration of the Pallavas is one of Tamil Nadu's most visited monuments. There were originally seven such temples, called pagodas, and only one was spared. It has a vimana built on basaltic rock towering over 60 feet. On the sanctum facing the sea is a prismatic lingam and Vishnu is seen reclining on the ground (Stala sayana) in his rear chamber.

In reality, the Shore Temple is a complex of three exquisitely carved shrines and is approached by a paved forecourt flanked by weathered perimeter walls supporting striking sculptures of numerous 'Nandi' bulls. Two Shiva temples are flanked by a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one facing the east and the other facing the west. The Shiva Temples are both topped by soaring spires, although there is none in the Vishnu Temple, as it may have crumbled with time. Narasimha Varma I or "Mamalla" built the Vishnu temple, while his son Narasimha Varman II later built the Shiva temples.

Arjuna Penance is Mamallapuram's splendour. In the canvas, it is a giant rock unfolding a scene of gods and demigods, birds, beasts and natural landscapes. Some are of the opinion that taking the heavenly Ganges to the earth is simply Bagirath's punishment. In the turbulent Ganges River, a natural cleft in rock was cleverly carved with serpent gods adoring like devotees frozen in their prayer along the banks, a splendid poetry in sculpture that no tourist can miss.

This is a complex, gorgeous piece of skilfully carved art, the world's largest bas-relief sculptures. In order to get the divine arms from Lord Shiva, Arjuna, the epic hero of the Mahabharata, is portrayed here as a sage doing penance. The carvings are all made of an immense boulder. In the centre of the enormous rock, there is a natural cleft conceived as the holy river Ganga falling to the earth. On all the sides, various divine figures have been carved.

Mahabalipuram places to visit

The highlight of this cave temple is a stunningly beautiful bas-relief showing Krishna raising the Govardhana mountain in order to shield the cows and the cowherds from the wrth of Indra, the rain god.

In the rear, the Mahishasuramardhini Cave is carved into three Somaskanda bass relief shrines, Anantasayana Vishnu canopied by Shesha, reclining on the bed of the serpent. With the thrill of the beholder on the battlefield, Mahishasuramardhini is struck in bold relief in such an awe-inspiring way. This is another impressive bas-relief depicting Lord Vishnu sleeping on the coils of King Adisesha the serpent and Durga the goddess battling with King Mahishasura the demon.

In this cave temple, Lord Vishnu is seen as the incarnation of Varaha (boar) and Vamana as a dwarf. This is a beautifully caved base-relief. Varaha Cave depicts the legend of Boodevi 's liberation of the planet by Vishnu represented as a boar.

The excellent examples of Pallava art are rock-cut temples named after the five Pandava brothers and Draupadi. All five monuments are called Rathas because they are full-sized models and look like the temple's chariots. They remember, however, the earlier architecture of the chapels and monasteries of Buddhism. In addition, the north side of the Ganesha Ratha is also a beautiful piece of art. With their formidable towers and multi-pillared halls and sculptured walls, the architecture resembles Dravidian temples.

There are five Pandava Raths or Monolithic Shrines out of which four are built out of a single rock, while the fifth is scooped from a small rock. The hut-like Draupadi Rath sports door-keepers, Durga is neck with a worshipper cutting and offering, and the outer walls of Arjuna's rath have the most beautiful and elegant figures of gods and mortals built by a professional sculptor. The Rath of Dharmaraja is the largest and has eight panels of exquisite sculptures.

In different parts of the city, shallow halls resembling porticos, some of them left in unfinished condition. These, coupled with simple architectural treatment, are remarkable for their sculpture. The cave temple complex of Aluvan Kuppam is about 4 km away. Tiger Cave is an excavated cave shrine with a Lion head aureole. It was an open theatre where, in the past, cultural programmes were performed.

A massive boulder with only a tip of it hitting the rock gives the on-looker the feeling that it will roll on him at any moment. Krishna's butter ball Near to the Ganesha Ratha is the Krishna butterball. It's near the narrow base of a rock. The kings of Pallava tried to move it, but all the kings and elephants there were unable to move the boulder by even an inch.

This cave is about 4 km to the north of the main complex of monuments. There is a beautiful monolithic stage where, in the old days, cultural programmes were conducted. This location, while very close to the sea, is serene and peaceful.

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Trip Overview

DAY 1 - Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

Morning arrival at Mahabalipuram and then transfer to Hotel. Hotel Check in. Then proceed to visit Mahabalipuram major attractions such as India Seashell Museum, Shore Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna’s Butterball and Tiger Caves. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

DAY 2 - Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Then proceed to visit Mahabalipuram major attractions such as Mahabalipuram Beach, Arjuna’s Penance, Alamparai Fort, Crocodile Bank and Covelong Beach. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

DAY 3 - Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

After Breakfast and then Check out from Hotel. Then proceed to visit Mahabalipuram major attractions such as Mahishasura Mardini Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Ganesh Ratha Temple , Trimurti Cave.and Mamallapuram Lighthouse. Then starting our journey towards Theni with sweet memories of Mahabalipuram. Finally drop at Theni.