Shore Temple: This magnificent temple is believed to be the lone survivor of a set of seven temples in Mahabalipuram. One of the oldest temples constructed in Dravidian-style, the Shore Temple is a declared UNESCO World Heritage site. Almost entirely covered in carvings, the temple is a five-storeyed structure sporting shikharas with overhanging eaves and placed on a square platform. Within the main complex are three temples, the main dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is the patron deity here. Before you enter the sanctum housing the partially-damaged shivling, you’d be confronted with two carved Dwarpalakas who appear to protect the sanctum. The temple walls are also lined with carvings of Brahma, Vishnu, Parvati, Skanda, Gaensha, Narasimha and Durga.
The other two temples in the complex are dedicated to Lord Vishnu in a reclining position and Vishnu astride the Garuda, helping Gajendra, the elephant. Carvings depicting the life of Lord Krishna cover the wall surrounding the mandapas. Also worth noticing here is a rock-cut structure of two women riding a lion. Also beautiful is a carving of a buffalo demon running with a stick in his hand. The temple is particularly striking when it is lit up on weekends.
Open from: 6.00 am-5.30 pm
Entry fee – Rs 10
Arjuna’s Penance: This is believed to be the largest open-air bas-relief in the world, carved almost entirely on one side of a cliff. This structure shows Arjuna doing penance to obtain a special weapon for the Mahabharata. Along with this, carvings of celestial beings, sun, moon, sages meditating, scenes from a forest, animals are birds are also seen. This relief has a fissure, and carvings in it are believed to depict the flow of Ganges on earth, also called Descent of Ganga. Legends have it that King Bhagiratha had to bring Ganga down to earth so he could free the souls of his ancestors. Since the heavy flow of Ganga would devastate the earth, he performed severe penance so Lord Shiva would receive the river in his matted locks and let it drop down. In fact just above the cleft is the ruin of a stone water tank from where water used to descend through the cleft.
Thirukadalmallai: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this structure was built by a Pallava King as an effort to safeguard sculptures from being corroded by the ocean. There is also a separate shrine to Lord Narasimha, built in typical Pallava-style. A prasadam of tamarind rice, curd rice, pongal, vada and murrukku is offered daily to the god.
Varaha Cave Temple: Located next to Arjuna’s Penance, this temple is a small rock-cut structure dedicated to Vishnu as a boar. The entrance to the temple has two pillars engraved with two-horned lions, as if protecting the shrine. This temple was built to commemorate the saving of Bhudevi (goddess earth) by Vishnu. Also visible here is a carving of Goddess Durga on a lotus, standing under the royal umbrella.
Open from: Sunrise-sunset, Monday-Friday
Entry fee – Rs 5
Krishna Mandapam: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple has carvings depicting Krishna’s life. A particularly imteresting carving is that of Krishna lifting the Govardhan Mountain to protect the locals. Other interesting carvings include a shepherd milking a cow, a farmer walking with a child on his shoulder, a shepherdess carrying a pot of curd and a woman carrying a rolled mat on her head and a tier of arranged pots in her hand.
Open from: Sunrise-sunset, Monday-Friday
Entry fee – Rs 5
Mahishasuramardini Mandapam: This rock-cut temple has three shrines inside, with carvings of Goddess Durga waging a battle against the Mahishasura demon. Other carvings include a sculpture of Shiva with Parvati, Ganesh and Skanda, Lord Vishnu in a reclining position on the serpent, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.
Open from: Sunrise-sunset, Monday-Friday
Entry fee – Rs 5
Pancha Rathas: This is a fine example of a monolith rock-cut structure in Mahabalipuram. Dedicated to the pandavas and their wife Draupadi, each shrine is built out of a single piece of stone. Draupadi’s Rath is a hut-shaped structure located at the entrance of the entire complex and dedicated to Goddess Durga. Carvings of Durga standing on a lotus and worshipped by two devotees and a carving of the lion, enhance its appeal. Arjuna’s Rath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is striking for the absence of carvings on the inner walls. The outer walls, however, have interesting carvings of Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra and two women. A figure of Nandi Bull is also present, though it is incomplete. The Nakul and Sahadeva Rath is dedicated to Lord Indra and has carvings of elephants, which face the sea. The Bhima Rath is particularly striking because of its magnanimous shrine and pillars carved with lions. Yudhishtar Rath is possibly the largest of all Rathas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The peculiarity of this temple is the absence of stairs from the ground to the first floor, though stairs are present from the first to the second floor. You’d also find here a carving of Ardhanareshwar, a blend of Shiva and Parvati. Other carvings include those of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu, a devotee holing a flower basket and a temple priest holding a set of keys. The Ganesh Rath is the only complete structure in this complex. It was earlier dedicated to Lord Shiva, and now is a shrine to Lord Ganesha.
Entry fee – Rs 10
Trimurti Cave: Another rock-cut temple, it is dedicated to the Hindu Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Carvings of a Shivling and Lord Brahma adorn the first two cells. The third cell has an image of Goddess Durga, who is depicted stamping Mahishasura’s head. Also present adjacent to it is a rock-cut zoo, which depicts carvings of an elephant, a calf, a monkey and a peacock.
Replica of Arjuna’s Penance: Located close to Krishna Mandapam, this was possibly started as an effort to replicate Arjuna’s Penance. Though incomplete, you can catch a glimpse of the efforts put in to create it.
Adivaraha Temple: Located close to the Mahishasura Mandapam, this shrine is dedicated to Vishnu as a boar. Carvings of Vishnu’s 10 reincarnations (the 9th being as Buddha), adorn the walls. Carvings of shiva receiving the Ganges in his matted locks are also visible. Vishnu seated on the lotus and surrounded by his queens, Goddess Lakshmi on a lotus and two figures of Pallava kings are other interesting carvings inside.
Krishna’s Butterball: This is one of the most striking elements of Mahabalipuram near Ganesh Ratha. This huge natural rock is perched on a hillside and does not move. In fact, the Pallava kings had once tried to move it with the help of elephants, but were unable to do so. It also provides a respite from the heat – if you dare to sit beneath it!
Tiger’s Cave: The mere mention of this is likely to conjure up images of prowling tigers, but that is absolutely not the case! This cave derives its name from a lone cave with tiger heads set around the temple. This cave is a favourite picnic spot and contains a shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Mamallapuram Beach: This is one of the cleanest and well-kept beaches in India, close to the Shore Temple. The shore is fringed with casuarinas groves and provides spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. You can also enjoy a session of swimming here, though you must remember that nudity is strictly prohibited here.
Government College of Sculpture: Located 2 kms from Mahabalipuram, this is the best place to catch a glimpse of how carvings and rock-cut architecture was done. You can also undertake a course of creating sculptures in wood and stone. |