Bharatha Natiyam
Five Rathas Mamallapuram
Mahabalipuram
Sea Shore Temple

Mahabalipuram

Sculptural Treasures of Tamil Nadu...

Termed as Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a major port city built in the 7th century by the Pallava king, Narasimha Varman I, also known as the "Great Wrestler". This tourist spot is situated 60 kms, to the south of Madras. This site was surrounded by the rock cut caves, structural temples and monolithic shrines named as "Rathas" with sculptural treasures that speaks about the magnificent heritage of ancient art and temple architecture. Every year the tourism department conducts a month long annual dance festival between December and January. Artists from all over the India will take part in this great occasion and show their hidden talents to the World.

Sights at a Glance:

Seashore Temple (delicately carved temple), Five Rathas (Pancha Pandava Rathas) and Arjuna's Penance

Sea Shore Temple

A Symbol of Soaring Aesthetic Aspirations of Pallavas...

This World Heritage UNESCO site is situated near by the sea shore. This is one of the oldest temple in South India, enclosed by a row of bulls carved out of rock. This majestic temple was built by King Rajasimha in the later half of the Seventh century. There are seven structural temples but because of the ravages of the sea, six of them was destroyed and the only one which is still exists is this sea shore temple. There are two rock-cut shrines - one dedicated to Lord Shiva and other to Lord Vishnu. It is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in the Dravidian Style.

Quick Glimpses:

Timings - From sunrise to sunset 07.00 am to 05.00 pm,

Entrance ticket - Rs 250 (foreigners) & Rs 10 (for Indians),

Camera Ticket - Free, Video Camera - Rs.25/-

Arjuna''s Penance

Marvellous carvings...

This brilliant bas-relief is also known as the Bhagiratha Penance or "Descent of the holy river Ganges".This glorious panel depicts the river Ganges descent from the sky. A sage doing penance standing on one foot, Shiva carrying trident, a small temple of Vishnu, a family of elephants, deer, lions, boar, rats, serpents, birds, semi celestial bodies are some of the eye catching sculptures in the great panel.

Quick Glimpses:

Timings - 06.00 am to 06.00 pm,

Entrance Ticket - Rs.10/- for Indians & Rs.250/- for foreigners (children upto 15 yrs free)

Five Chariots

Processional Temple Chariots...

The 7th Century monolithic rock-cut shrines called Pancha (five) Pandava Rathas - "Processional temple chariots" is named after the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the epic Mahabharatha and their queen "Draupadi". Out of these, the Dharmaraja Ratha is the biggest and the best out of the Five Rathas. The carving of these Pancha Rathas undoubtedly demanded a great deal of hard work and creativity. The Sculptors dig out the scarp of the hill from front to back to create such magnificent architectural marvels. These unfinished Rathas are unique in their structure with rectangular base, apsidal shape, Octagonal roof and later came to influence the South Indian temple design.This is the only place where we can able to see five types of architecture in the same complex.

Quick Glimpses:

Timings - 06.00 am to 06.00 pm