Mahabalipuram Temple
Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) is a beautiful temple town situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal about 60 kms from the South Indian city of Chennai. The second capital of the Pallava kings, the city is renowned for its Shore and Ratha cave temples. Bounded by miles of unblemished sands and water, the rock art of this sacred city proves to be a great attraction for both Indian and international tourists, who flock to this place either in search of the divinity or just to enjoy the amazing cornucopia of architectural creativity exhibited in the temples here. Most of these temples were built during reign of Narasimhavarman and his successor Rajasimhavarman and showcase the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building.
Some of the important pilgrimage attractions of the small village of Mahabalipuram include the following.
Shore Temple - Facing the sea and designed to catch the first rays of the rising golden sun, the Shore temple is perched on top of a rocky outcrop. This shrine is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple has interconnected cisterns through which the sea can be let in to transform the temple into a water shrine. But, in recent times, a stone wall as been added to protect the shrine from the rising seas and further erosion.
Mandapas - Excavated from one of the low hills of Mahabalipuram, these pillared pavilions exemplify the glory of Pallava rock art in its finesse. In all there are ten Mandapas at Mahabalipuram of which two are unfinished. These were designed as shrine with a sanctum and an outer hall. The most famous of these is the Ganesh Mandapa, which is still an active shrine dedicated to the elephant god, Ganesha. Other important mandapas include the Varaha mandapa, the Vishnu Sayana Mandapa, the Vishnu Sayana Mandapa and the yet unfinished Panch Pandava mandapa.
Mamallapuram Pancha Pandava Rathas Dharmaraja South India
Rathas - Literally 'rathas'mean chariots, which describe the shape of these temples carved in the 7th century, and became the birthplace of a new style of architecture unique to Mahabalipuram. Of the eight rathas, five have been named after the Pandava brothers, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata, and their shared wife, Draupadi. The largest is the Dharmaraja ratha which sets the tone for the others. Modelled on a Buddhist vihara or monastery, it sports a square hall topped by a vaulting roof. The Bhima, Arjuna and Nakula-Sahdeva rathas are lesser copies of the Dharmaraja ratha. The Draupadi ratha is the smallest and the quaintest. It is a simple structure, fashioned as a thatched hut borne on the backs of elephants and lions. It was probably the facsimile of a portable village shrine.
The famous Dance Festival of Mahabalipuram is annually celebrated in the month of December. Dances from all over India are staged here including Bharatha Natyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) as well as tribal dances, puppet shows and classical / traditional music.
Location
Mahabalipuram lies in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, around 60 kms from its capital Chennai.
Climate
The climate of Mahabalipuram remains hot and sultry all through the year with a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 19°C.
Best Time to Visit
The most enjoyable time to visit this place is the period from October to March.
How to Reach
Air - The nearest airhead is at Chennai (60 kms), which has both a domestic and international terminus. It is well connected by flights to all major cities of India and the world.
Rail - The nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29 kms) and Chennai (60 kms). From these stations one has to take the road to reach the Mahabalipuram.
Road - Buses are available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram daily. The road to Mahabalipuram is good. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai.
Accommodation
Offering a variety of accommodation options, some of the best hotels in Mahabalipuram are GOLDEN SUN HOTEL & BEACH RESORT, TEMPLE BAY, HOTEL MAMALLA HERITAGE and lots more.
