Mahabalipuram : Archeological marvel of India
Hello all,
As winter is settling in, cold breezes are knocking on the doors, and as blankets and Rajais are coming out of hibernation, we are in our resting mode too! And by resting, quietly enjoying our home.
We watched a series last weekend, a series that feels like a soft blanket, a warm slice of cake, a series that offers the comfort of homely winter food. Thode Door Thode Pass… an extremely relatable series in this fast-paced world. A series that explains the meaning of slowness. A series that teaches about family dynamics and human interactions. It is like a cozy winter on a television screen. Do watch this week. I am sure you won’t be disappointed. Pankaj Kapoor, sir, and all the actors have poured their hearts into this intimate and emotional journey.
You know what else feels like a warm hug in these cool winter mornings?? Old archaeological sites… the intricate carvings give a sense of comfort and peace. And this warmth we felt in Mahabalipuram. This small town is a treasure of old historical sites. From the sea shore temple to the tiger cave, this town has amazing archeological masterpieces.
Here is the list of places we visited in two days:
Seashore temple:
This is one of the last prominent landmarks of Mahabalipuram. It is the perfect example of architectural brilliance with intricate carvings.
The temple was built during the Pallava dynasty in the 8th century in the Dravidian architectural style. But apart from the architecture, what stands out is the temple’s location. The serene, calm atmosphere just at the shore of the Bay of Bengal makes the temple one of the most unique sites in India.
The temple is complex, with multiple structures, including two shrines dedicated to lord Shiv and one dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
There are two shrines in this temple complex: one faces east, named Kshatiyasimhesvaram, and the other faces west, named Rajasimhesvaram. Between two temples is a shrine with a small porch representing a cell without a superstructure, which enshrines a figure of Lord Vishnu in his reclining form.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.
So go for early morning exploration and to witness the sunrise from the Bay of Bengal, or for late afternoon leisurely stillness; this site will mesmerize you, whatever time it is!
Pancha Ratha:
The complex is called the five raths as it resembles the processional chariots. They were excavated during the reign of Pallava King Narashimavarman I. Dharmaraj Yudhishthir Ratha has square vimana with octagonal sikahars. Arjun Ratha has a sactum with a pillared mandapa. Bhim Ratha is rectangular. Draupadi Ratha is the smallest with the image of Durga Maa. Naklu and Sahdev Ratha are in front of Arjun’s Ratha.
Krishna Mandapam:
It is said to be an unfinished cave temple; it is, however, the latest of all Pallava cave temples. It is during the period of Paramesvaravarman I (672-700 CE). It has a rock-cut shrine at the back of the hall with an unfinished passage for circumbulation. It is also known as Pancha Pandava Mandap.
Arjuna’s penance:
This is a magnificent structure with two gigantic monoliths, intricately carved, which will definitely mesmerize you. It depicts the story of Kiratarjuna. The monolith depicts life in the forest with the event of Arjun obtaining Pasupat from Lord Shiv. It is also shown that this event was witnessed by three worlds. There is a small temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This monument is also known as the Descent of Ganga, as according to some scholars, this monument also depicts the story of Bhagirath descending to Earth.
Krishna’s butter ball:
This is one of the most unique ancient sites in Mahabalipuram. It’s a giant boulder perched on a slope, against gravity, and it has been steady at its site for many centuries without rolling down. Locals called it Krishna’s Butter Ball. The rock is around 20 feet tall and 16 feet wide with appx weight of 2,27,000 kg.
Some people also call it Vaan Irai Kal, which translates from Tamil as “Stone of Sky God,”.
It is said that in 1908, even seven elephants could not move it.
Best time to visit:
In the morning or late evening to avoid crowds and harsh sunlight.
Trimuriti temple:
It is in the same complex as Krishna’s butter ball and a little less crowded. It represents the three major deities—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—all carved into the rock with spectacular symmetry. The shrine of Siva is slightly larger than the others.
There are a few other monuments in the same complex, like Draupadi’s bath and Yudhishir’s Ratha.
Tiger cave:
This is separate from the above-mentioned archaeological sites and is among the least crowded places. It was built around the 8th century during the Pallava dynasty. Again, it is one of the rock-cut temples known for its carved Yali sculptures (mythical lion-elephant figures).
Location & Access: Located about 5 km north of Mahabalipuram on the ECR.
Entry fee: 40 rs
Timings: Open 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
Tsunami Stone:
It is in the same complex as Tiger Cave. It is an enormous monolith with some inscriptions on its top, which led to the excavation of Sri Arulmigu Subrahmanyan Temple. This rock was unearthed by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, and that’s why it is known as Tsunami rock.
Athirana Chanda Cave Temple
This is Lord Shiva’s temple, located near the tiger cave temple. The temple is carved from large rock. There are different scripts etched on the temple walls, probably in old Tamil Brahmi or Prakrit.
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology:
How can we not go there? The park is one of the most prominent reptile parks in India. It houses over 15 species of crocodiles and alligators from around the world, including endangered species such as the saltwater crocodile and the gharial. It also has snakes, turtles, tortoises, and lizards. There is a separate area for venomous and non-venomous snakes, along with an underwater section for the gharial.
Timings: Park is closed on Mondays.
Rest of the days: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
And while visiting the proper town, don’t forget to have food at Madras Chronicles. Don’t go by name because they have excellent Italian, Mexican, and Indian food. The ambiance is incredible, so is the food.
So, that’s it about our visit to Mahabalipuram / Mamallapuram.
Thank you..
Wonderful details and pictures
👌🏻👌🏻
Thank you…
Oh beautiful✨
Thank you…
Nice
Thanks.
Same Vibes New Name !
Recently they renamed it i think
The seashore temple is right on the beach and my favourite
Yes they renamed it to Mamallapuram. But still we feel connected to the old name. Thank you…
Amazing !
I visited long back in 2016 and still looks same .
refreshing
Yes! Thank you…