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Chennai |
Mamallapuram
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Kanchipuram
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Tiruvanamalai
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Chidambaram
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Kumbakonam |
Thanjavor |
Tiruchinapalli
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Madurai |
Rameshwaram
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Kanyakumari
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Ooty |
Kodaikanal |
Coimbatore |
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Area : 8 sq.kms.
Altitude : sea level
Season : through out the year
Language : Tamil, English
Once a flourishing port of the pallavas of ancient India, this
monument centre is today a major beach resort holiday centre in
south India. Still popularly called mahabalipuram, this historic
coastal temple town is now known as mamallapuram after ‘mamalla’
(great wrestler), the name given to narasimhavarman 1 pallavamalla,
pallava ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was
largely responsible for the temples, mamallapuram, 60 kms south of
Chennai, is an ancient seaside town, where anyone could see splendid
specimens of pallava art which flourished from about 600 to 750 AD.
Mammallapuram, famous for its shore temple, was the second capital
and seaport of the pallava kings of kanchipuram, who were at the
height of their political power and artistic creativity from the 5th
to 8th centuries AD. Most of the temples and rock carvings here were
completed during the reigns of narasimha varma 11 (AD 700-28).
The monuments of mamallapuram, most of them rock-cut; belong to the
earliest phase of Dravidian temple architecture. Mythological
episodes, epic battles, demons, gods, animals, all vividly depicted
on the wall sculptures are breathtakingly real and artistic. There
are 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic rathas and 3 stone temples and
four relief sculptured rock panels.
Bhagiratha’s (arjuna’s) penance is a bas-relief sculpted on the face
to two enormous adjacent rocks and is 29 mts. Long and 7 mts. High.
Life size figures of animals, gods and saints depict the story of
bhagirath, praying for the ganga from the Himalayas. Other carvings
include scriptures and the figures from the Mahabharata and the
Ramayana depicting mythological episodes, epic battles of the demons
and gods and are simply awe inspiring there is also a shore temple
one of the oldest that has survived the ravages of time.
Places of attraction :-
Caves:
Among the nine rock-cut cave temples the Krishna cave is notable for
its realistic portrayal. In the Mahishasuramardhini Cave on one side
is a magnificent bas-relief of Lord Vishnu in his cosmic sleep (Ananthasayanam)
and in contrast on the other side is Goddess Durga (Kali) fighting a
buffalo-headed demon.
The Shore Temple:
The Shore Temple (1 km) is surrounded gardens designed
according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient texts.
The oldest temple surviving the ravages of time sea wind and sun
contains twin structural shrines and is magnificently located on the
shore of the Bay of Bengal. It represents the final phase of Pallava
art. Mamallapuram is also a well-known beach resort in India.
Originally constructed around the middle of the 7th century it was
later rebuilt by Narasimha Varma II (also known as Rajasimhan ). The
temple’s two main spires contain shrines for shiva. Facing east and
west the original linga captured the sunrise and sunset. A third and
earlier shrine is dedicated to the reclining Vishnu were unearthed
and ‘new’ ruins are being discovered. ‘New’ ruins are being
discovered.A remarkable amount of temple carving remains especially
inside the shrine. The temple with World Heritage listing is now
protected from further erosion by a huge rock wall.
Arjuna’s Penance:
One of the world’s largest and finest stone bas-relief depicting
Arjuna’s penance is another pride of Mamallapuram . This huge
whale-back-shaped rock faces the sea and is split with a fissure in
the middle. On either side are earthly and Supernatural beings like
Gods demi-gods men beasts and birds.
The relief carving on the face of a huge rock depicts animal’s
deities and other semi-divine creatures as well as fables from the
Hindu Panchatantra books. A huge perpendicular fissure that is
skillfully encompassed into the sculpture divides the panel.
Originally water representing the Ganges flowed downs the fissure.
Varying accounts relate the meaning of the relief but whatever the
carving depicts it’s one of the most realistic and unpretentious
rock carvings in India.
Five Rathas:
To the south of the hillock holding the cave temples are the five
monolithic rathas (chariots) each chiselled out of a single rock and
known as Pancha Pandava Rathas (mid-7thcentury) 1.5 kms to the south
of the old lighthouse. Each of the rathas is considered to be a
prototype in the evolution of Dravidian temple architecture. They
were influenced by Buddist architecture in resembling the vihara
(monastery) and chaitya hall (temple). They point to the evolution
of different kinds of Dravidian temples with gopurams vimanas and
mandapas. The purpose of imitating in granite temple structure were
built of wood is not known.
The first ratha Draupadi Rathna on the left after entering the gate
is dedicated to goddess Durga.Within the goddess stands on a lotus
her devotees on their on their knees in worship. Outside the huge
sculptured lion stands proud in front of her temple. The others are
the Arjuna Ratha dedicated to Shiva, Bhima Ratha, honours Vishnu .
Dharmaraju Ratha and the final ratha is the Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha is
dedicated to Indra.
Crocodile Bank: Not far from Mamallapuram this crocodile breeding
and research centre is run by Chennai Crocodile Bank Trust.Here
several species of Indian and Continental Crocodiles and alligators
are bred in captivity.
These reptiles are kept in their natural habitat in open pools and
can be viewed from a safe proximity. These crocodile augment the
crocodile population of wildlife sanctuaries.
Thirukkalukundram:
This tourist spot has a small shiva temple situated on top of the
Vedagiri hill which is 160 mts. High. Just before noon every day two
white kites stop at the temple and are fed by the temple priests.
Legend has it that these two birds are actually saints who make a
stop to rest at the temple on their flight between Varanasi and
Rameswaram.
There is also a large Shiva temple in the town below. Towards the
southeast of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to
possess curative powers. Once every twelve years a conch floats in
this tank and thousands of devotees flock between Varanasi and
Rameswaram.
There is also a larger Shiva temple in the town below. Towards the
southeast of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to
possess curative powers. Once every twelve years a conch floats in
this tank and thousands of devotees flock to bathe in the tank at
this auspicious time. A collection of the condhes is displayed in
the larger shiva temple.
Tiger Cave:
This houses a shrine of Goddess Durga and is about 4 kms away and
features a crown of Tiger Heads. The cave is not singposted from the
beach secluded and very peaceful-a lovely place for a picnic. On the
way there is the Mukund Nayar Temple. |
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