Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Tamil Nadu Cities - Chennai - Madurai

Tamil Nadu Attractions - Chola Temples

Tamil Nadu Hotels - Tamil Nadu Hotels

Location - Tamil Nadu

Best Time To Visit - February to June

The city of Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram. It has been named after Mamalla, the person who is credited for creating the earliest monument in the city during the reign of Pallave king, Narshimha Varman I. Mahabalipuram is located at about 58 kms from Chennai. The best of cultures and art that existed during the reign of Pallavas can be found in the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram, is a temple town that dates back to 2000 years old. The rock-cut temples are the major centre of attraction. India's oldest examples of Dravidian buildings and sculpted rock-panels can be found at Mahabalipuram. The site includes about forty monuments, including the largest open-air-bas relief in the world. The monuments are mainly rock-cut and monolithic. In these monuments elements of Buddhist designs are also very much visible.

The Shore Temple - The Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram was built in the 7th century during the reign of Rajasimha. The temple is a prefect example of fine architecture of the Pallava Kings. The temple is made of charcolite, its silhouette is beautiful against the changing colours of the sky. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shore Temple is also where you can come across the unique Sthala Shayana Perumal, which is the only temple in India where Vishnu reclines on the floor, serenaded by the sound of the waves.

'Ratha' Cave Temple - The magnificent 'Ratha' Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram were built bu the Pallava King, Narshimha during the 7th and 8th centuries. There are eight rathas at Mahabalipuram, five of which are named after 'Pandavas' of Mahabharata and one after their wives Draupadi. The rathas are constructed in the style of Buddhist Viharas and Chaityas. The three-storey Dharamaraja ratha is the largest and also unfinished whereas the Draupadi ratha is the smallest. The rathas of Arjuna and Draupadi are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.

Arjuna's Penance - Measuring about 27m by 9m is the world's largest bas-relief panel -Arjuna's Penance. It holds over hundred figures of Gods, men and beasts.

Southwards from Arjuna's Penance is the Krishna Mandapam with scenes of Lord krishna lifting Mount Govardhan hewn in the rock and Pancha Pandava Mandapam.

Feather to the Cap
The Group Of Monuments at Mahabalipuram has been credited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1984, since then it has been enjoying the attention of the tourists from all over the world.

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