Mahabalipuram-Stones can be mesmerising too !

I get opportunity to visit Chenna quite often and Mahabalipuram, which is just 60 kilometers away from Chennai is always an attraction. No wonder Mahablipuram is often described as amongst the seven wonders of India. It is also one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in India. I have read a lot about this place in my school history books but as is said “seeing is believing”. I found this place amazing with its unique breath taking architecture and the sculptures all around, something which is rarely seen anywhere else in the world.

 

          Mahabalipuram is a temple town and is famous for its monolithic rock cut temples with a unique blend of Dravidian and Buddhist architecture. Monolithic simply mean that these temples were carved out of a single rock. The temples belong to the Pallava kings and dates back to the 7th and 8th centuries. There are eight rathas at Mahabalipuram, out of which five are named after the 'Pandavas' of Mahabharata and one after Draupadi. This site is also called Mamallapuram, named after the great wrestler Mamalla, the title of Pallava king Narasimha Varman I. These temples are built in the same shape as pagodas, and greatly resemble Buddhist shrines and monasteries.

 

It is believed by some that this area served as a school for young sculptors. The different sculptures, some half finished, may have been examples of different styles of architecture, probably demonstrated by instructors and practiced on by young students. This can be seen in the five rathas (chariots) where each Ratha is sculpted in a different style. These five Rathas were all carved out of a single piece of granite in situ.

          Besides the five rathas , Mahabalipuram is also famous for its cave temples . The notable cave temples here are the Varaha mandapa, Mahisamardini mandapa, Paramesvara Mahavaraha Vishnugriha (Adivaraha cave). These are in the Mamalla style while the Adiranchanda caves temples belong to the Mahendra period.The caves here were once plastered and painted as indicated by the remains.

 

          The shore temple is another major attraction in Mahabalipuram. It was built in 700-728 AD and is is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. The Shore Temple is a five-storeyed structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. It is the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 ft high and sits on a 50 ft square platform. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch It is made out of finely cut local granite. The temple is a combination of three shrines. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva as is the smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu.

 

          Balancing rock is another attraction. It is a huge rock that stands on its edge for centuries. Its believed that even 1000 elephants can’t move it. Its also called the butter ball of Krishna. People try all sorts of photography skills and also do lot of brain storming explaining the amazing phenomena.

 

         

Mahabalipuram is a small town and few hours are good enough to see the place. The shopping is excellent in Mahabalipuram. Handmade crafts made by people in the region are the specialty. These handmade crafts many times come in the form of stone statues carved to look like the enormous originals that are in the area. These statues are normally carved out of granite which enhances their beauty. Many people are more than glad to travel to this region to acquire such fine artistic pieces made by quality artisans. Soapstone images, wood carvings, jewelry, and items made from local seashells are also popular items that are sold in the local shops. The items, however, are costly as expected of any tourist place.