Mahabalipuram
also known as Mamallapuram
is a famous sea
side village 58
km from Chennai
and attracts people
for its temples,
caves and beaches.
 Mahabalipuram
was the seat of
art and culture
during the Pallava
dynasty and the
magnificent temples
and the rock sculptures
and carvings are
proof of its glorious
past. The Mandapas
or pillared halls
carved into the
rock face are adorned
with intricate sculptures
of gods, goddesses
and mythological
figures. Krishna’s
butter ball, Ganesh
Mandapa, Varaha
Mandapa are few
of the mandapas
which spells aesthetic
beauty and artistic
perfection. Mahabalipuram
is also famous for
its monolithic temples
called Rathas which
are also excellent
pieces of architecture
and sculpture. The
Rathas are representative
of the Pandava brothers
and their wife Draupadi.
These rathas are
known as the seven
pagodas. One of
the most popular
sights in Mahabalipuram
is the Shore temple
with shrines of
Siva and Vishnu.
The ancient Siva
temple is very popular
but none of the
famous saivite saints
have visited here.
This temple, like
the other constructions
here, are home to
some exemplary architectural
feats and breathtaking
sculptures. The
cave temples include
the Trimurthi, Varaha,
Durga and Pancha
Pandava. Near the
cave temples is
the famous open
air sculpture called
Arjuna’s penance.
The popular theory
is that, the sculpture
depicts the penance
of Arjuna during
his exile to the
Himalayas to procure
fro Lord Siva the
weapon Pasupata.
There are other
theories as well.
The vast influx
of tourists in the
place may be accorded
to the fact that
this place is easily
accessible by road,
rail and air. Chennai
Airport is the nearest
airport where flights
arrive from a lot
of domestic and
international airports.
Chennai and Chengalpettu
are the nearest
railway stations
from where the road
has to be taken
to reach this city.
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