Globally renown for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. 58 kilometres from Madras on the Bay of Bengal, this tiny sea - side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder - strewn landscape. Tourists are drawn to this place by its miles of unspoiled beach and rock-cut art. The sculpture, here, is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of day-to- day life, in contrast with the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu, where the carvings generally depict gods and goddessesMahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories : open air bas - relief, structured temples, man-made caves and rathas ('chariots' carved from single boulders, to resemble temples or chariots used in temple processions). The famous Arjuna's Penance and the Krishna Mandapa, adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village. The beautiful Shore Temple towers over the waves, behind a protective breakwater. Sixteen man-made caves in different stages of completion are also seen, scattered through the area.
History The temples of Mamallapuram, built largely during the reigns of Narasimhavarman and his successor Rajasimhavarman, showcase the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building. The mandapas or pavilions and the rathas or shrines shaped as temple chariots are hewn from the granite rock face, while the famed Shore Temple, erected half a century later, is built from dressed what makes Mamallapuram so culturally resonant are the influences it absorbs and disseminates.
All but one of the rathas from the first phase of Pallava architecture are modelled on the Budhist viharas or monasteries and chaitya halls with several cells arranged around a courtyard. Art historian Percy Brown, in fact, traces the possible roots of the Pallavan Mandapas to the similar rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Referring to Narasimhavarman's victory in AD 642 over the Chalukyan king Pulakesin II, Brown says the Pallavan king may have brought the sculptors and artisans back to Kanchi and Mamallapuram as 'spoils of war'.
Temples in MahabalipuramThere are, or rather were, two low hills in Mahabalipuram, about 400m from the sea. In the larger one, on both sides, there are eleven excavated temples, called Mandapas, two "open air bas reliefs", one of which is unfinished, and a third enclosed one. Out of a big rock standing free nearby there is a "cut out" temple, called a "Ratha". This type is unique to Mahabalipuram.
Out of the other hill, much smaller and standing about 200m to the south, are fashioned five more rathas, and three big sculptures of a Nandi, a Loin and an Elephant. On the top of the bigger hill there is a structural temple, and a little distance the magnificent beginnings of a Vijayanagar Gopura and also survivals of what is believed to be a palace.
Shore TemplePerched on a rocky outcrop, it presides over the shoreline, serving, as Percy Brown puts its, 'a landmark by day and a beacon by night'. Designed to catch the first rays of the rising sun and to illuminate the waters after dark, the temple ended up with an unusual lay-out. As the main shrine faces the sea on the east, the gateway, the fore count and the assembly hall of the Shore Temple all lie behind the sanctum.
Unusual, too, is the fact that the temple has shrine to both Shiva and Vishnu. The main sanctum and one of the two lesser ones on the west are dedicated to Shiva. The enclosing wall has a series of Nandi bulls on it.
Interconnected cisterns around the temple meant that the sea could be let in to transform the temple into a water shrine. But, in recent times, a stone wall as been added to protect the shrine from the rising seas and further erosion. MandapasThe main hill at Mamallapuram is dotted with pillared halls carved into the rock face. These mandapas, with their graceful columns and intricate figure sculptures bear witness to the artistry of the Pallavan rock cutter. The ten pavilions at Mamallapuram, of which two are unfinished, were designed as shrine, with a sanctum and on outer hall. The shallow porticoes are adorned with exquisite sculptures of gods, goddesses and mythological figures.
The Ganesh mandapa is an active shrine even today, with the idol of the elephant-god being revered by the faithful, fourteen centuries after it was first consecrated.
Beyond the circular rock called Krishna's Butterball is the Varaha mandapa dedicated to the two avatars of Vishnu as Varaha the boar and Vamana the dwarf. The pillars of this pavilion are perhaps the earliest to display a motif that became the signature of southern architecture-the lion pilaster, where a heraldic lion support ornamental pillar. The Mahishasuramardini mandapa has the goddess Durga in bas relief, slaying a buffalo-headed demon, and the Vishnu Sayana Mandapa shows Lord Vishnu lying under the protective hood of the seven-headed serpent Adishesha.
Of the other mandapas, the Panch Pandava mandapa, that is unfinished, has a more elaborate facade. Its pillars are adorned with rearing lions springing from the capital, and the shrine is the only one surrounded by a passage which allows circumvolutions. RathasThe eight rathas are monolithic temples fashioned as chariots. They remain an architectural mystery, for each is apparently a faithful reproduction of a structure built of wood. In fact, even the grain of the timber beams and rafters has been simulated in stone.
Of the eight rathas, five have been named for the Pandava brothers, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata, and their shared wife, Draupadi. The largest is the Dharmaraja ratha and it sets the tone for the others. Modelled on a Buddhist vihara or monastery, it sports a square hall topped by a vaulting roof. The Bhima, Arjuna and Nakula-Sahdeva rathas are lesser copies of the Dharmaraja ratha.
The Draupadi ratha is the smallest and the quaintest. It is simple structure, fashioned as a thatched hut borned on the backs of elephants and lions. It was probably the fascimile of a portable village shrine.
The fact that many of the temples and sculptures of Mamallapuram are unfinished, points to the sudden withdrawal of patronage from rock-cut temples when King Rajasimhavarman came to power. How to get there AirChennai (58-km) is the nearest airport with both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is connected with all the major places in India through the numerous domestic flights. International flights operate from various parts of the world to Chennai. RailThe nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29-km) and Chennai (58-km). From these stations one has to take road to reach the Mahabalipuram. RoadBuses are available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram daily. The road to Mahabalipuram is good. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai.
Your Itinerary for Mahabalipuram(Chennai - Tirupati - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Trivandrum (14 DAYS))
Day 1 : Arrive ChennaiYou will be met and assisted at the airport or station on arrival. Transfer to your hotel. Relax for the day. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2 : Chennai - TirupatiBy road covering 140 km in approx. 3 hr Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of LORD BALAJI. Overnight at Tirupati.
Day 3 : Tirupati - ChennaiBy road covering 140 km in approx. 3 hr After breakfast, proceed for Chennai. Check in at hotel in Chennai. Relax in the evening. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 4 : Chennai - MahabalipuramBy Road Covering 58 Km in approx. 1 hr Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : MahabalipuramAfter breakfast, proceed for morning sight seeing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 : Mahabalipuram - TanjoreBy road covering 309 km in approx. 7 hr Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Tanjore. Reach and relax at hotel. In the afternoon drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 : Tanjore - Trichy - TanjoreFull Day excursion Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to the city of Trichy. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Return to hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 : TanjoreBreakfast at hotel. See the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadeeshwara. Relax in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 : Tanjore - MaduraiBy road covering 183 km in approx. 4 hr Later leave for Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi (Chettinad). On arrival, transfer to hotel and relax. Overnight at Madurai.
Day 10 : MaduraiBreakfast at hotel.Freshen up and by afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) .Watch the evening AARTI at Meenakshi Temple - THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR. Overnight at Madurai.
Day 11 : RameshwaramExcursion Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. Return to Madurai by evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Madurai - TrivandrumBy road covering 264 km in approx. 6 hr Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Trivandrum by surface and reach late evening. Relax at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : TrivandrumBreakfast at hotel. Start tour in the morning visiting the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayam Arts Gallery, Zoological gardens, Reptile house, Observatory and Kanakakunnu Palace. Overnight at Trivandrum.
Day 14 : Departure From TrivandrumBreakfast at hotel. Transfer for flight to the airport or station for train to the next destination.
Tour Ends.
