Mahabalipuram Visit
Mahabalipuram, an ancient city built during the 7th to 9th century by the Pallava Dynasty, lies 60km south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is along the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal. Its amazing temple complex of stone works earns itself a place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This was the start of our exploration of the temple complex.
Frank, Shanker, Robert and Gurusamy standing in front of Ganesa-Patha Shrine, carved out from monolithic stone in AD665-680.
Nature's gift to mankind?
Standing in front of Varaha Cave. Note that all the pillars are supported by mystic animals.
Stone sculptures on temple wall, queen or goddess surrounded by ladies.
Mystical figure and human sculptures on temple wall.
School children with their teachers on field trip.
While most parts are intacts, some seem to be still under construction at that time.
Stone steps leading to the bathing pool carved out of the monolithic stone.
This was bathing pool for the Queen during the Pallava Dynasty, now filled with algae and water plants.
The Mahabalipuram Light-house.
This is the Mahishamardini or Mahishasuramarthini Cave Temple housing Lord Siva. Devotees knock the pillars to hear the sound coming out of it. Myths and facts were intertwined in their beliefs.
Sculpture on the wall of the temple depicting some ancient tale. Notice the bull's head on human body on the right.
Bala at the top of the temple.
This view was taken from the top of the Mahishamardini temple. On the horizon is the Bay of Bengal and the coast line.
Skill stonesmiths crafted these statues for sales.
Ancient temple near the sea coast. During the 2005 tsunami, the receding water removed some of the sand by the coast exposing the tops of ancient temples and it is now known that up to 7 temples were now buried under the sea.
Stonesmiths at work. With modern technology like tungsten-carbide cutter available, it will be alot easier to cut the stones unlike their forefathers in the 7 century.
Stone artifacts for sales in one of the many shops there.
Another ancient temple off the East Coast Road. Unfortunately, we don't have time to explore it as we have to return to Chennai to catch the 5.30 Express train to Bangalore.
On the right side of the main temple. One quick look and we were on our way back to Chennai. We have to say goodbye to Mahabalipuram, having visited one of the world's greatest heritage from one of the world's cradle of civilisation ie India.
This was the start of our exploration of the temple complex.
Frank, Shanker, Robert and Gurusamy standing in front of Ganesa-Patha Shrine, carved out from monolithic stone in AD665-680.
Nature's gift to mankind?
Standing in front of Varaha Cave. Note that all the pillars are supported by mystic animals.
Stone sculptures on temple wall, queen or goddess surrounded by ladies.
Mystical figure and human sculptures on temple wall.
School children with their teachers on field trip.
While most parts are intacts, some seem to be still under construction at that time.
Stone steps leading to the bathing pool carved out of the monolithic stone.
This was bathing pool for the Queen during the Pallava Dynasty, now filled with algae and water plants.
The Mahabalipuram Light-house.
This is the Mahishamardini or Mahishasuramarthini Cave Temple housing Lord Siva. Devotees knock the pillars to hear the sound coming out of it. Myths and facts were intertwined in their beliefs.
Sculpture on the wall of the temple depicting some ancient tale. Notice the bull's head on human body on the right.
Bala at the top of the temple.
This view was taken from the top of the Mahishamardini temple. On the horizon is the Bay of Bengal and the coast line.
Skill stonesmiths crafted these statues for sales.
Ancient temple near the sea coast. During the 2005 tsunami, the receding water removed some of the sand by the coast exposing the tops of ancient temples and it is now known that up to 7 temples were now buried under the sea.
Stonesmiths at work. With modern technology like tungsten-carbide cutter available, it will be alot easier to cut the stones unlike their forefathers in the 7 century.
Stone artifacts for sales in one of the many shops there.
Another ancient temple off the East Coast Road. Unfortunately, we don't have time to explore it as we have to return to Chennai to catch the 5.30 Express train to Bangalore.
On the right side of the main temple. One quick look and we were on our way back to Chennai. We have to say goodbye to Mahabalipuram, having visited one of the world's greatest heritage from one of the world's cradle of civilisation ie India.
posted by Chua Kim Teck at 10:48 PM
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