Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The name Mamallapuram is believed to have been given after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who took on the epithet Maha-malla (great wrestler), as the favourite sport of the Pallavas was wrestling. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When we visited during the last week of January, the Mahabalipuram dance festival was being staged. The stage was set in front of the Arjuna's Penance Bas relief rock. Arjuna’s Penance made on the worlds largest Bas relief rock measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. The huge whaleback shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts and birds and in fact can be said to represent creation itself. Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high, the bas-relief is also known as The Descent of Ganga. The dance performances at night with the Arjuna's penance bas relief rock as back ground was a great setting.
Tiger's Caves is near the coastal village of Salurankuppam which is only 5 kms to the north of Mahabalipuram. This amazing mandapa contains a shrine that is dedicated to the goddess Durga. There are large and impressive figures located in front of the caves. There is a well developed park around the caves. Many huge boulders, some shaped like Obelisk can be found in this park. I was really impressed by these huge boulders and felt like painting them and climbing them. This is a relatively quieter place compared to Mahabalipuram with a quick access to the beach on foot from here.
When we visited during the last week of January, the Mahabalipuram dance festival was being staged. The stage was set in front of the Arjuna's Penance Bas relief rock. Arjuna’s Penance made on the worlds largest Bas relief rock measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. The huge whaleback shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts and birds and in fact can be said to represent creation itself. Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high, the bas-relief is also known as The Descent of Ganga. The dance performances at night with the Arjuna's penance bas relief rock as back ground was a great setting.
Tiger's Caves is near the coastal village of Salurankuppam which is only 5 kms to the north of Mahabalipuram. This amazing mandapa contains a shrine that is dedicated to the goddess Durga. There are large and impressive figures located in front of the caves. There is a well developed park around the caves. Many huge boulders, some shaped like Obelisk can be found in this park. I was really impressed by these huge boulders and felt like painting them and climbing them. This is a relatively quieter place compared to Mahabalipuram with a quick access to the beach on foot from here.
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