Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram
or Mamallapuram, 50 km south of
Chennai, was the capital of the
Pallava dynasty in the 7th century
AD. The Pallavas became the
supreme power in the south after
the fall and disintegration of the
Gupta Empire.
Pallava kings were known as patrons of Tamil culture and arts. At the height of their political power and creativity,
during the reign of king Narasimha Varman-I (630-668 AD) and later of Narasimha Varman-II (700-728 AD), the famous Shore Temples and other rock-carved caves and temple complexes were completed in Mahabalipuram.
Of these the magnificent rock-sculpture known as Arjuna’s Penance is world renowned. Measuring 27 mtr. By 9 mtr. this gigantic mural in bas relief, also called “Descent of the Ganga”, is the world’s largest and one of the masterpieces of Indian art. The sculpture depicts Arjuna, the legendary Pandava warrior of the Mahabharata, doing penance standing on one leg to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Gods and sages are shown witnessing this spectacle, along with men, women,
birds and animals.
Most prominent of them is a procession of elephants. The figures are all delightfully fresh and pulsating in a
celestial atmosphere. Also, the three monolithic temples on the shore as well as the five Pandava Rathas (chariots) are remarkable for their simplicity and architectural elegance, as are the fine sculptures inside the many rock- cut caves.
A visit to this small historical town, endowed with several of Hindu mythologies and gifted with vast complex of architecturally and sculpturally excellent monuments, takes one to a world of wonderland. The rock-cut architecture applied in its structural buildings like palaces, pavallions, temple chariot shaped shrines let one keep falling deep into amazement. Having the largest number of earliest temples, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram or The Land Of Bali lets tourists witness the affluence of art and architecture of South India. |
