Where is Mahabalipuram?
Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is located 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of
Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was a prospering
port town during the rule of the Pallava Kings.
How will you gain access?
The closest airport is located in Chennai at a distance of 60 km from
Mahabalipuram. Both the international and domestic terminals are located
here. Chengalpattu (29 km) is the nearest railway station. By road
Mahabalipuram is well-connected to places like Chennai, Kanchipuram,
Pondicherry and Tirukkalikundram.
What does it signify?
Mahabalipuram is internationally renowned for its series of splendid Rathas
(Chariots) and the magnificent carved relief Arjuna's Penance. The Shore
Temple attracts a huge number of travellers and devotees from all across the
globe. The temple houses shrines of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Mahabalipuram had already become known widely as a pilgrimage centre when
Mamalla made it into a seaport and began erecting rock-carved temples. It
was this very city from where the Indian colonists migrated to southeast
Asia. Most of the structures lay beneath the sands. The monuments saw their
ill fate after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. The monuments found great
patrons in the Cholas and their successors. But after the 17th century the
monuments fell upon bad times. In 1788 the monuments were noticed by William
Chamber, an English visitor. It was only after this that some experts of
antiquities from Madras gave it a thought. And finally Collin Mackenzie dug
out some of the monuments. Afterwards, he and his assistants gathered other
interesting relics of the past.
What beckons devotees?
» Arjuna's Penance
Arjuna's Penance is an enormous relief made on two gigantic boulders.
Measuring 27 m in length and 9 m in height, it is perhaps the largest
bas-relief in the world. There is a cleft in the rock depicting the descent
of the Ganga. The Ganga was brought to earth by King Bhagiratha to save his
sinful ancestors. It is a whole world in itself, attracting myriad of
visitors and devotees.
» Rathas or Chariots
At the southern end of Mahabalipuram, lie a group of exquisite
Rathas amidst the Casuarina trees. Being five in number, these chariots are
also termed as the 'Paanch Pandava Rathas'. Four out of five are carved out
of a single rock.
» Shore Temple
The
Shore Temple is known world-wide for its splendid architecture. The rock-cut
shrines are fine examples of the Pallava architecture. The Shore Temple, the
landmark of the city, was designed in such a way so as to catch the first
rays of the rising sun and illuminate the waters after dark. The sanctum
sanctorum enshrines Lord Vishnu.
» Caves
The city of Mahabalipuram ropes in several thousands of visitors on account
of its beautiful rock-cut shrines. The Varaha Cave enshrines incarnations of
Varaha (Boar) and Vamana (Dwarf). The four panels of the famous Pallava
doorkeepers are worthy of notice. There are a number of other cave-shrines
that truly deserve a visit.
What is the best time?
Summers are hot in Mahabalipuram, with temperature rising to a
maximum of 35 degrees centigrade. The minimum temperature of the city
records 19 degrees centigrade. Between October and March is the best time to
visit the sacred city of Mahabalipuram.
