Globally renown for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram(also called 'Mamallapuram'- The City Of Bali) 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 goddesses.
This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas(temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures.
Location: 58-Km From Chennai, Tamil Nadu
30-Km from Thiruvanmiyur(Place where East Cost Road-ECR,which leads to Pondicheri- starts)
More details will be added soon...
Nice reading....I will be visiting Mahabalipuram this month.
ReplyDelete-Maneesh.
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