The temple city of Mahabalipuram, which is also known as Mamallapuram is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Pallava rulers. It is situated 60 km from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It extends from latitude 12°37’ in the North to longitude 80°14’ in the East, and is famous for its spectacular beach temples that are truly a work of amazing sculptural craftsmanship. And yet, it is one of history’s intriguing enigmas, for was this sculptural glorification a king’s fancy? A celebration of war victories? A queen’s fantasy? And why then after all that royal patronage was most of the work abandoned and left incomplete? What interrupted them in their tasks? History remains mute and no answers are available.

Most of the temples and rock carvings here were built during the reign of Narsinha Varman I (AD 630-668) and Narsinha Varman II (AD 700-728).

Arjuna’s Penance : Arjuna’s Penance, perhaps the world’s largest bas-relief, is an incredible work of art. According to the legend, King Bhagiratha had to bring down to earth the celestial Ganga to purify and redeem the cursed souls of his ancestors. But the torrential river would flood the earth, and so he had to undergo a penance to propitiate Shiva who finally received the flood in his matted locks and let it trickle down. The world’s creatures gathered around to watch. The cleft in the rock depicts the descent of Ganga, a theory supported by the ruins of a stone water tank on the hill.

Shore Temple : However, it is the Shore Temple that evokes the spell of Mahabalipuram. A three-in-one abode of god-a Vishnu temple sandwiched between two Shiva temples-it is a visual delight, its precincts abounding in architectural masterpieces.

Beach Temples : The most renowned tourist attractions of the town of Mahabalipuram are its beautiful beach temples. The five rathas (chariots) are architectural precursors of the temples of south Indian. The smallest and the simplest is the Draupadi ratha and the largest is the multi-storeyed Dharmaraja ratha scopped from a monolithic rock. These small unfinished shrines ravaged by war and weather are things of undiminished beauty. The Kailasanatha temple, Sri Varadaraja temple, Sri Vaikuntaperumal temple, etc are all amamzing instances of patience, skill and labour.

Varaha Cave : The Varaha Cave is a small rock-cut mandapam (hall), that is a faceted and finished gem with four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers.

How to get there

Air : The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai (Madras), which is located around 60 km away. One can get flights for almost all major destinations in India and abroad.

Rail : The nearest railway station, on the other hand, is at Chengalpattu, which is around 29 km away. Trains for Chennai and several other major cities in South India are available from here.

Road : Mamallapuram is connected by road to Chennai, Tirukkalikundram (Pakshithirtham), Kanchipuram (65 km), and Pondicherry.