The Monolithic and Cave Temples.

Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th to 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Formerly, mahabalipuram was known and called as Mamallapuram. The former name of this place ‘Mahabalipuram’ has a history.

        It was during the reign of King Narasimhavarman I(630 - 668 AD), the name Mahabalipuram was changed. It was renamed mahabalipuram which is called till now. There is a story behind. The name Mamallapuram king Narasimhavarman I was a great and valiant warrior. He was given the title Mamalla which means ‘the great wrestler’ so the name was converted from Mahabalipuram to Mamallapuram considering the great king and his achievements.

        After the decline of the Gupta Dynasty, the pallavas rose to the pioneer in south India. They ruled over from the 3rd century till the end of the 9th century A.D. The best period of their rule was between 650 and 750 AD and this period was called the Golden Age of the pallavas. The pallavas were very powerful. They were profound thinkers.

         It was during the rule of the pallavas, great poets, dramatists, artists, artisans, scholars and saints emerged. As one can say that the pallavas are the pioneers and forerunners of new styles both in art and architecture and mahabalipuram is the best place to praise off their skill and talent. New sculptures and unique paintings were innovative and exuberant. This place mahabalipuram itself became their exploring field and they made the best use of the resources. They game a shape and creative energy to what they imagined. It became a dream come true as it witnessed innovations in all styles.

        The richness in mahaballipuram was not known to many, as these pallavas did not outlet and expose their quality and innovative creations to the outer world for obvious reasons. The aestheticism in mahabalipuram was hidden until the late 185h century. What is special about mahabalipuram? Of course every one can point out the rock - cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mamallpuram is referred as an ‘open-air museum’. The great pallava kings Narasimha I and Rajasimha have well preserved these stylistic qualities that one enjoys in mahabalipuram even in the present day.

        The beauty of the place is not only due to these architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand male crafts around have made them all to form what is a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits mahabalipuram will remain startled and intoxicated with the grandeur. They feel hand hearted and more out from this historical and fascinating tourist spot.

Mahabalipuram( 12°37'02''N;  80°11'39''E) is about 59km South of Chennai we can reached by East coast road Via Kovalam. Mahabalipuram is a famous tourist destination in South India. Private and Government tour operators can conducts trip to Mahabalipuram. Regular bus services are available from Koyambedu Bus stand, Chennai. The ancient tradition of stone carving is still alive in Mahabalipuram. We can here the rhythmic sounds of hammer and chisels event today. UNESCO has added these group of monuments in the World Heritage List.

It was an  ancient port of the Pallavas, who have created many marvellous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, monolithic rathas and temples.  The port was constructed by Emperor Mahendra Varman in the 7th century.  Its present name is derived from the title given to Narasimha Varman as Mahamalla meaning a great warrior.  The place is among the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture.

Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations, the sculptors have breathed life into stone at this place.  The Pallava art monumental splendour and man y beaches attract tourists from all over the world.

There is a huge rock tub said to be the bathing tub of Draupathi.  Above, on the rocky hill is a shrine of Vishnu without the deity. One can also see the old rock built lighthouse and the modern lighthouse side by side. Mahabalipuram is a real feast to the eyes that could read an epic in lively sculpture.

The stately shrine set elegantly on the edge of the sea is a long survivor among the seven magnificent temples built over here.  The construction originally started around the middle of the 7th century and was later rebuilt during the reign of Narsimha Varma II, also known as Rajasimha.  It is one of the oldest temples in South India and represents the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style.  This icon of the soaring aesthetic aspiration of the Pallavas has been listed among the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO and is one of the most visited monuments in Tamil Nadu. Originally, there were seven such temples called as pagodas and only one has been spared. It has a vimana towering over 60 feet built in basaltic rock. A prismatic lingam is on the sanctum facing the sea and Vishnu is seen reclining on the ground (Stala sayana) in his chamber in the rear. The Shore Temple is in fact complexes of three exquisitely carved shrines and are approached through a paved forecourt flanked by weathered perimeter walls supporting striking sculptures of numerous 'Nandi' bulls. A temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is flanked by two Shiva temples, one facing the east and the other facing the west.  Both the Shiva Temples are crowned by soaring spires, while the Vishnu Temple has none, as it may have crumbled with time.  The Vishnu temple was built by Narasimha Varma I or "Mamalla", while the Shiva temples were later built by his son Narasimha Varman II.