Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

Arjuna’s Penance shows the various events that occurred during Arjuna’s Penance. The relief is carved on two big rocks which are approximately 43 feet high, atop which a huge collecting pool used to be during the older times. The rock sculpting done on the rocks is intricate and is amazingly detailed and is unlike any other that is found in India.

Thirukadalmallai or the Sthalasayana Perumal Temple was built by the Pallavas around 8th century BC. The Divya Desams are the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu that were built by the Tamil Azhvars or Saints. The architecture is once again the Dravidian Pallava style with a white colored gopuram that is a marvel to behold.

Mahabalipuram houses a total number of 8 Rock-Cut Cave Temples built in the 7th century by the Pallava Kings. The temples feature a number of finely cut rock columns which vary in detail. The various rock carved sculptures are dedicated to the various Hindu deities and are considered as the finest masterpieces of Indian art. The various cave temples are namely, Krishna, Mahishasuramardini, Varaha, Trimurti, Kotikal, Tiger, Atiranachanda and Panchapandava.

The Shore Temple is carved out of granite and is alternatively called the 7 Pagodas due to some unconfirmed evidence that the complex had 7 Pagodas till a Tsunami hit the shores in the 13th century AD. The architecture is a distinctive Pallava style and the finely cut granite temple is decorated with various rock cut reliefs and sculptures.

Pancha Rathas are open air rock cut reliefs and are fashioned in the form of 5 chariots named after the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharatha. The carved monoliths have all been carved out of pink granite and the tallest one of them is around 40 feet high. The distinctive Dravidian architectural style of the Pallavas is prevalent in the design.