Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram
Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations, Pallava Chisels have breathed life into stone. The Pallavas art at this place emphasises robust earthly beauty, imbibed with life. These monumental spendours and sunny beach resorts attract tourist from all over the world. Mamallapuram, 60 Kms., South of Chennai, nestling on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, was a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with Sculpture Panels, Caves Monolithic Rathas and Temples.
Getting there :
By air : The nearest airport is at Chennai
By road : Just an hour's drive from Chennai, on new highway. It is also well connected to all important places by road.
Climate :
Summer : Max. 36.6 C, Min. 21.1 C
Winter : Max. 30.5 C, Min. 19.8 C
Rain fall : 30.5 cm average
Clothing : Tropical
Season : Throughout the Year
Language Spoken : Tamil and English
STD Code No. : 04114
General Info. :
Area : 8 Sq.Kms.
Population : 9856
Altitude : Sea level
Places to See
THIRUKKALUKUNDRAM This tourist spot has a small Shiva temple situated on top of the Vedagiri hill which is 160m high. Just before noon every day, two white kites stop at the temple and are fed by the temple priests.
Legend has it that these two birds are actually saints who make a stop to rest at the temple on their flight between Varanasi and Rameswaram. There is also a larger Shiva temple in the town below.
At the south-east end of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to possess curative powers. Once in every twelve years, a conch 'floats in this tank and thousands of devotees flock to bathe in the tank at this auspicious time.
A collection of the conches is displayed in the larger Shiva temple.
THE SHORE TEMPLE The oldest temple, surviving the ravages of time, sea, wind, and sun contrains twin structural shrines and is magnificently located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Mamallapuram is also a well-known beach resorts in India.
FIVE RATHAS To the south of the hillock holding the cave temples, are the five monolithic rathas(chariots), each chiselled out of a single rock, and known as Pancha Pandava Rathas. Each of the rathas is considered to be a prototype in the evolution f Dravidian temple architecture.
CAVES Among the nine rock-cut cave temples, the Krishna cave is notable for its realistic portrayal. In the Mahishasuramardhini cave, on one side is a magnificent bas-relief of Lord Vishnu in his cosmic sleep (Ananthasayanam) and in contrast on the other side is Goddess Durga (Kali) fighting a buffalo-headed demon.
ARJUNA'S
PENANCE One of the world's largest and finest stone bas-relief, depicting
Arjuna's penance, is another pride of Mamallapuram. This huge whale-back -shaped
rock faces the sea, and is split with a fissure in the middle. On either side
are gods, demi-gods, men, beasts, and birds-earthly and supernatural beings.CROCODILE BANK Not far from mamallapuram, this crocodile breeding and research centre is run by Chennai Crocodile Bank Trust. Here, several species of Indian and Continental crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity.
These reptiles are kept in their natural habitat in open pools and can be viewed from a safe proximity. This farm breeds crocodiles to augment the crocodile population of wildlife sanctuaries.
Select a holiday with us
|
