Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram, a 7th century port city of the Pallava dysnasty, is about 60 km south of Chennai. The historic monuments built by the Pallavas between the 7th and the 9th centuries have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Olakkannesvara
Mahishamardini Mandapam
Ganesh Ratha
This monolithic structure in the shape of chariot is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Though the temple was initially built in honor of Lord Shiva, the lingam was removed and the structure was dedicated to Lord Ganesh.
Ganesh Ratha
Varaha Cave
This rock-cut cave, dating back to the 7th century, has a stone panel depicting Varaha, Vishnu’s avatar as a boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess.
Varaha Cave
Krishna’s Butter Ball
This giant rock, perched on a slope, defies all laws of physics. Or at least that is what the locals would have you believe . If anything it provides a good place to take a break from the afternoon sun.
Krishna’s Butterball
Trimurti Cave
Located north of the Butter Ball, this cave honors the Hindu Trinity of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer).
Trimurti Cave
Sculptures inside the cave
Arjuna’s Penance
Measuring 96 feet by 43 feet, Arjuna’s Penance is an open air relief carved out of a monolithic rock. It actually depicts the stories of ‘Arjuna’s Penance’ and ‘The descent of the Ganges’.
In one section of the sculpture, Arjuna performs a ‘tapas’ so that he can receive a boon (Pasupata) from Shiva as an aid in the Mahabharata war.
Arjuna’s Penance
The descent of the Ganges
As per the Puranas, King Bhageeratha had to perform a 1000 year tapas in the Himalayas before Lord Brahma agreed to send the river Ganges to earth. The central section of the sculpture depicts the descent of Ganga from the heaven, with Lord Shiva breaking Ganga’s fall.
Descent of the Ganges
Krishna Mandapam
This is the largest of the mandapams in Mamallapuram and is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan
Bull
Village Scene
Shore Temple & Five Rathas
We have listed Shore Temple and Five Rathas separately in the following links.
Mamallapuram Shore Temple
Mamallapuram Five Rathas
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