Interesting facts about Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Introduction :

The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram is a 7th century treasure. These monuments were built by Pallava Kings ruled between 5th to 8th centuries. Initially these group of monuments had nearly 400 amazing monuments and Hindu temples. Over the years these temples and statues have been damaged and now we can see only 50 of them. Looking at just 50 monuments gives us goosebumps with incredible talents which we had over these years. Imagine the amount of incredible art work of the entire 400 monuments.

UNESCO has identified these amazing man-made creations and listed as Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in 1984. These monuments includes Descent of the Ganges, Pancha Rathas, Shore Temple.

The word Mahabalipuram was initially spelled as Mamallapuram which means “Great Wrestler” to praise the King Narasimha Varman I. Over the period the word turned down into Mahabalipuram. This temples are named as Pallavan Temple, Stone Temples, Mamallapuram, Mahabalipuram.

Here we have listed the stunning architecture at Mahabalipuram.

Sea Shore Temple :

1. The sea shore temple is also named as ‘Seven Pagodas’ by its pyramidal structure.

2. This temple is entirely carved from black stone and it is the first temple. The shore temples consist two temples which is surrounded by small rocks as compound. A big Linga statue is positioned ahead of sea.

3. The Shore temple catches the first rays of the Sun. There is an open space auditorium which was used for dancing and daily prayers in ancient period.

4. We can see 100 of Nandhi (bull) Statues around the shore temples. Every Nandhi statue made from a single rock. Shore Temple was built using the granite stones.

Pancha Rathas :

1. Near to the Pancha Rathas we can see an amazing elephant and Rogue lion which is positioned in opposite directions. To our astonishment, the five chariot temples are entirely made with single stone.

2. Temples at mahabalipuram include Arjunan Temple, Throvpathy Temple, Beema Temple, Tharma Raja Temple, Saga theva Temple. Out of all these temples Tharma Raja Chariot is the biggest temple.

3. This temple praise lord Vishnu at middle portion, Lord Shiva at the top portion and Lord Bramha at ground portion. Tharma Raja Temple is the only place which praise three gods and which also contains the Narasimman King Statue at the corner of the temple.

The Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance :

1. Arjuna’s Penance is a rock where the pictured creations made from a rock. This is a single rock which is of 300 ft. length and 30 ft. in height. 150 statues have has been designed on a rock itself. The statues are scuplted into gods, animals, humans.

2. This place also praises Lord Shiva at north portion. At the bottom of the rock it praises Lord Vishnu statue.

3. This rock also have six pillars which seems like a bone. The entire pillar is made by a single rock.

Krishna’s Butter Ball :

1. Krishna’s Butter Ball is a massive single rock which stands without any base.

2. The total height this ball is about 5 meters and weight about 250 tons (Equal to weight of medium-sized Airplane). Apart from all it is estimated that the stones stands in the place for about an impressive 1200 years.

Krishna Mandapam :

1. In Krishna Mandapam we can identify a status which seems like Krishna saving the Ayarpadi people from Rain by using the Govarthan hill as an umbrella.

2. Statue of Gopalar people calmly staying inside of that Kovarthanakiri Hill is amazingly created. The Krishna Mandapam also has a statue of a cow feeding milk to its calf.

Ganesh Ratha Temple :

1. The Ratha Temple is fully created by rocks. The temple was structured by the King Narasimhavarman I. This temple praises Lord Shiva.

2. The temple also have plenty of inscriptions of the period of Narasimhavarman I grand son.

Varaha Cave Temple :

1. This Varaha Cave is positioned in the south side and inside the Varaha avatharam statue. This cave contains plenty of that explainations of the history of varaha avatharam.

2. Varaha cave also has a statue of Perumal sleeping peacefully over a 5 headed snakes in the sea.

Tiger Cave :

1. Tiger Cave is located 3 km in the north from Mahabalipuram close by th teacher. On center of the cave a stage is created. The stage had been used by the various artist to expose their talents.

2. The tiger cave is completely sculpture with the statues of tigers hence the name Tiger cave.
Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple.

Crocodile Farm :

1. Crocodile Farm is located 15 km from Mahabalipuram. Here we can watch and enjoy varieties of Crocodile various types and size.

Inspirational Facts :

1. Thanjavur’s Brihadeeswarar Temple which is 1000 years old located 200 km from Mamallapuram.

2. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is one of the famous UNESCO Heritage Places in India.

Quick Facts :

Header	Information
Location	Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Built Year	7th century
Built By	Pallava Dynasty
Dedicated to	Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu
Attraction	Architectural Monuments
Key Significance	UNESCO Heritage Place, Oldest monument in Tamilnadu, Oldest architeture monument in South India.
Distance	50 km from Chennai, 300 km from Trichy
Visting Period	September to Febrary.

Conclusion :

The architects recorded that many more shore temples around there. Also, believed that the other temples would have been sub merged into sea.

The Pallavas planned for nearly 200 years to create this amazing UNESCO Heritage site. Pallavas made a Temple Monuments in a Single Rock called as monolithic temple.

In 2004 Tusunami, the part of portions had appeared from the Sea. This was helped to identify the temple creations even more.

Europa Nautical stated that, the Mamallapuram had 7 shore temples, but now we can see only one shore temple. The others were destroyed over the years by the sea.

As per source the Mahabalipuram was popular trading port, this place were used as a landmark for navigation of ships.

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