Mahabalipuram group of monument,famous tourist site

                                           

The Shore Temple (built in 700–728 AD) is thus named as a result of it overlooks the shore of the Bay of geographical region. it's placed close to metropolis in state.

It is a structural temple, designed with blocks of granite, geological dating from the eighth century AD. At the time of its creation, the positioning was a busy port throughout the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava kinfolk.in concert of the cluster of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it's been classified as a UN agency World Heritage website since 1984 it's one amongst the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South Bharat.

Shore temple may be a complicated of temples and shrines

LOCATION

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town in CHENGALPATTU DISTin the southeastern Indian STATE OF TAMILNADU in Indain nation

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE

• .12.36.59 North latitude.
•  80.11.58 East longitude

MSL ( MEAN SEA LEVEL)

The elevation or mean sea level of gwaliour3 meters (or)  9 ft above sea level

CLIMATE

Mahabalipuram features a tropical wet and dry climate. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Aw. the typical annual temperature is twenty eight.4 °C. The temperatures area unit highest on the average in could, at around thirty two.6 °C. In January, the typical temperature is twenty four.3 °C, rock bottom of the year. the typical temperatures vary throughout the year by eight.3 °C. In a year, the typical rain is 1219 metric linear unit. In winter, there's a lot of less rain than in summer. The variation within the precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 309 metric linear unit.

LOCAL LANGUAGE

• TAMIL

Best time to visit

• NOVEMBER TO FEBRAURY

Mobile Network availability in Mahabalipuram

 

• Bsnl
• Airtel
• Jio
• Idea
• Vodafone

 

 Mahabalipuram

 is famous for

Mahabalipuram, additionally called Mamallapuram, could be a city in Chengalpattu district within the southeastern Indian state of Madras, best notable for the UNESCO World Heritage website of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu cluster of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. it's one amongst the notable traveller sites in Asian country.

Mahabalipuram

 Opening Days and Entry fee

• All day of the week temple open
• Entry fee for indians           Rs  10 
• foreign visitors                   Rs   340
• camera                                 Rs 35
• Below 15 years                     free

Indian Dance Festival-Mamallapuram

The Mamallapuram Dance competition is command each year throughout Dec-Jan in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This dance competition is union by Department of business enterprise, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Exponents of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Attam and Kathakali perform against this glorious background of the Pallava rock sculptures. it's spirited competition of dance wherever huge audience enjoys this one month long competition.

History of temple

The Shore Temple of Mamallapuram was designed throughout the reign of the Pallava king Rajasimha/Narasimhavarman II, and it's the oldest structural temple of significance in South Asian country.

once the hub of trade and commerce in ancient and early medieval Asian country, Mahabalipuram is currently a well known traveller destination, attributable to its several heritage structures that make up the UNESCO cluster of Monuments. The word Mahabalipuram is believed to own been a derivate of the first name Mamallapuram, which suggests the town of Mamalla – the soul. Mamalla was a title of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (630-70 CE). it had been throughout his reign that the bulk of the heritage structures that we tend to see nowadays in Mamallapuram were created. Mamallapuram became a crucial industrial centre within the sixth century Ce, throughout the rule of Pallava king SimhaVishnu. This was AN era of nice political churnings that saw Pallavas competitory for power with Pandyas, Cheras, and Cholas; plus increasing non secular fervour as a part of the devotion movement beneath the Alwars (Vaishnava) and Nayanar (Shaiva) saints.

A study of the historical findings from Mamallapuram, that embrace completely different anthropology, numismatic (example: Roman coins of Theodosius – fourth century CE), and epigraphical finds, show that the city was once a thriving haven with connections to state, China, and alternative South-East Asian countries. Among the matter references square measure – Periplus of the Erythraean ocean (1st century CE), a Greek navigation book, that mentions Mamallapuram, job it a thriving port; whereas Ptolemy (2nd century CE), refers to Mahabalipuram as Malange.

Hiuen Tsang (7th century CE) in his travel records additionally talks of Mamallapuram, terming it as a Pallava sea-port. The Hindu saint Thirumangai Alwar in his work Nalayira Prabandham (8th century CE), delineate the active port city and wrote of the various ships anchored within the harbour.

Among the foremost illustrious landmarks of this once-thriving port, is that the Shore temple. Marco Polo in his travel book mentioned the temple, relating it because the Seven Pagodas of Mamallapuram, a reputation that stuck to the cluster of the Shore temples among the ecu traders and cartographers. In 1375 within the Catalan Atlas Abraham Cresques observed the temple cluster as Setemelti (from Sette Templi, which suggests seven pagodas in Italian). In 1582, a jewelry merchandiser named Gasparo Balbi referred additionally observed the temple cluster as “Seven Chinese Pagodas” of Mamallapuram. Niccolao Manucci wrote of the seven ‘China-men’ designed pagodas. As Polo, Balbi, and Manucci had not set their feet within the city and had solely seen the temples from an overseas ship, the tall pyramidic temple spires had perceived to them as Chinese designed pagodas.

Interestingly, all medieval European travellers had delineate seven shore temples in Mamallapuram, whereas solely 2 square measure currently seen. This had junction rectifier to several speculations over whether or not these previous travellers’ accounts were factually correct. However, throughout the 2004 moving ridge several rock-cut temples, inscriptions, and sculptures were in short exposed because the waters receded (Holden, 2005).

Later, archaeologists with diving groups explored AN underwater website 700 m east of the Shore temple and located ruined walls, sculptures, blocks of rectangular stones ordered parallel to the boundary, and remains of forty alternative monuments (Sundaresh et al, 2014, 1167-1176). From these findings, a replacement line of thought has developed that believes an area of previous Mamallapuram is currently beneath the ocean.

The Shore Temple of Mamallapuram was designed throughout the reign of the Pallava king Rajasimha/Narasimhavarman II, and it's the oldest structural temple of significance in South Asian country. the 2 temples hold 3 sanctums, of that 2 square measure dedicated to Shiva and one to Hindu deity. the primary factor that catches one’s eyes as he or she views the temple from a distance is that the low prakara (wall) with unerect Nandis thereon, and also the tall pyramidic shikharas with their prime polygonal shape domes. These 2 tall shikharas/vimanas have scoured ornamentation that shows similarities with the Pancha Rathas; but, not like the Pancha Rathas, these spires have finials on prime marking them as useful temples.

The shallow temple mandapas (entry porches) square measure reached by climb few stairs, and right on the far side the entry that holds weatherworn dwarapalakas, square measure the 2 main sanctums. These sanctums show the standard Pallavan feature: a Somaskanda panel and a fluted Shiva linga (the smaller sanctum facing west has the linga missing, whereas the most sanctum facing east incorporates a broken fluted linga). Behind the 2 main sanctums stands the third sanctum that has no vimana and holds atiny low mandapa or structure. during this sanctum is seen the Seshasayi (Sthalasayana) Hindu deity. The five-storeyed temples are positioned in such a way that the primary rays of the sun fall on the most east-facing fluted symbol.

Simha-yalis square measure an everyday feature on the outer walls of the temple, tho' attributable to the corrosive salt-laden winds, they're largely weatherworn on the far side recognition. At the northern facet of the temple could be a tiny kund that holds AN east-facing miniature shrine. This shrine is devoted to Shiva, whereas there's a separate sculpture of a partially broken Bhu-Varaha at its facet. The Bhu-Varaha has AN inscription plate at its base that provides North American nation the titles of the Pallava king Rajasimha.

On the southern facet of the temple facing west could be a giant monolithic lion, usually termed because the Durga’s lion, because the Devi is seen sitting on its right hind limb holding a bow in her hand. The lion’s chest has been move type a deep sq. niche, within that we tend to see Devi Durga as Mahishasura Mardini. close to the pedestal could be a fantastically incised figure of unerect cervid, that is currently headless.

The entrance walls of the temple hold several incised panels, a number of that show scenes from the Pallavan history, whereas others depict Shiva in his numerous forms, like the Tripurantaka, Kiritarjuna, Dakshinamurti, etc. The outer walls have inscriptions from the Pallava and Chola eras that praise king Narasimhavarman II, and names the deities within.

 The Shore temple remained buried under the sand until recently. While the sand has been removed, the presence of the sea right beside it and the constant salt-laden winds and water spray still pose a threat to the temple. To tackle this, the ASI has built a breakwater wall and planted Casuarina trees to prevent further erosion.

About temple

The Shore Temple that is on the banks of the Bay of geographical area is one in every of the most attractions of Mahabalipuram. Its lovely structure is associate subject marvel, that depicts the traditional discreetness of art.

The Shore Temple that was designed throughout 700 - 728 AD has stood the check of times. Once a busy village port of Mahabalipuram is currently a UNESCO World Heritage web site in Tamil Nadu.

Let us get into the fantastic past of Shore Temple!

A Stone Temple

Shore Temple is constructed victimization the granite stones and it's one in every of the oldest stone temples in South Asian country. it's one in every of the notable structural stone temples that has stood sturdy over the years.

The Tale of Seven Pagodas

Shore Temple was named as 'Seven Pagodas' thanks to its pyramidical structure. The name 'Seven Pagodas' update the existence of seven temples within the past. currently solely Shore temple remains to inform the tales of the past.

A Landmark

In the time of Pallava kinsfolk, Mahabalipuram was standard commercialism port. it's aforesaid that the Shore Temple acted as a landmark for the navigation of ships.

Began and continuing

The construction of Shore Temple was started by Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II. Later, Cholas designed the extra elements of the temple once invasive the Mamallapuram from the Pallavas.

Photo Courtesy: Thurika

The European Dairies

The existence of Mamallapuram and therefore the Seven Pagodas are recorded by some European travellers. It indicates to the recognition of the port and its commercialism connections outside Asian country.

sTHree Temples

Shore temple could be a complicated of three temples. One huge temple and 2 tiny temples. in this 2 temples have pyramid formed gopura (temple tower).

Shiva and Vishnu

Two shrines within the Shore Temple ar dedicated to Lord Shiva. The third and therefore the tiny temple is that the Vishnu temple. This depicts the mix of non secular ideologies that existed within the past.

Mythical Connect

The mythology of the King Hiranyakashipu and his son Prahlada is expounded with the temple. it's believed that once Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu, Prahalada becomes the king. The legend goes that Prahlada son island based Mahabalipuram during this place.

Stone Inscriptions

According to a stone inscription within the temple, the 3 temples ar named as Kshatriya Simha Pallaveshwara - griham ,Rajasimha Pallaveshwar - griham and Pllikondaruliya - devar.

Jalashayana

The temple was additionally named as Jalashayana (lying within the water) as a result of it's placed at the ocean level.

The Submerged

The existence of a lot of temples round the Shore Temple has been recorded. it's additionally believed that a natural disaster should have submerged different temples within the complicated.

The Exposed

Surprisingly, the tidal wave in Gregorian calendar month 2004 exposed a number of these submerged elements of temples in Shore Temple complicated. This provided food for more analysis regarding different temples on this coast line.

Chariot formed

Shore Temple feels like a Ratha (Chariot) from a distance. it's believed that Shore Temple resembles the structure of Dharmaraja Ratha.

Earlier the village was referred to as as Mamallapuram that was a outstanding centre throughout the rule of Narasimhavarman II of Pallava kinsfolk. Shore Temple at the side of different heritage sites and traveller places is value your trip Mahabalipuram.

Architecture Layout of Temple

• SeaShore temple, Mahabalipuram,Tamil Nadu, India.
• All the 3 Temples of the Shore Temple complicated area unit designed on a similar platform. Viewed from the northern finish, the temples seem to be a duplicate of the Dharmaraja Ratha. the most Shore Temple, 
• That faces east in order that the sun rays shine on the most divinity of Shiva Linga within the shrine, may be a five-storied structural Hindu temple instead of rock-cut as area unit the opposite monuments at the location.\ 
• Designed with sculptured granite stones hauled from a close-by quarry, it's the earliest vital structural temple in South India. Its pointed structure is sixty feet (18 m) high and sits on a fifty feet (15 m) sq. platform. there's atiny low temple before that was the first construction.it's created out of finely cut native granite. 
• The shore temple is additionally one in all the foremost fashionable temples. Recent excavations have discovered new structures here below the sand.
• The temple may be a combination of 3 shrines. the most shrine is devoted to Arkadeep, as is that the smaller second shrine. attiny low third shrine, between the 2, is devoted to a reclining Hindu deity and will have had water channelled into the temple, coming into the Hindu deity shrine. 
• The 2 Shiva shrines area unit orthogonal in configuration. the doorway is thru a crosswise vault gopuram. the 2 shikharas have a pointed define, every individual tier is distinct with overhanging overhang that forged dark shadows.
• The outer wall of the shrine to Hindu deity and also the inner aspect of the boundary wall area unit extensively sculptured and topped  by giant sculptures of Nandi. 
• The temple's outer walls area unit divided by pilasters into bays, the lower half being engraved into a series of rearing lions. The temple walls have giant sculptures of Nandi.

• FEATURES OF THE TEMPLE
  
  
  

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The temple features a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) during which the immortal, Sivalinga, is enshrined, and a little mandapa enclosed by a significant outer wall with very little house between for circumambulation. At the rear area unit 2 shrines facing in opposite directions. The inner shrine dedicated to Ksatriyasimnesvara is reached through a passage whereas the opposite, dedicated to Vishnu, is facing outward. The Hindu deity is seated  on her lion vahana. a little shrine could are within the cavity within the lion's chest.

The Shore Temples configuration of the 2 Shiva shrines with the little Vishnu shrine in between illustrates a shot to balance the various, competitive non secular needs.

The roofs of the temples have ornamentation like the Pancha Rathas. The roofs have finials on the highest, indicative of its non secular purposeful nature, because it was a completed temple. The form} shape of the shikaras of the 2 temples dedicated to Shiva area unit within the Dravidian type of architecture. below the towers, the sanctuary walls area unit principally blank with none decorations however the columns area unit sculpted over lion mounted bases. The decorations on the outer faces of those shrines area unit like those seen on the Pancha Rathas, although because of their closeness to the ocean, area unit partly worn because of salty winds.

The most finesse of the temple area unit the Dharalinga and therefore the Somaskanda panel, that area unit enshrined within the interior walls of the sanctum of the east facing Kshatriya Somesvara temple. The Dharalinga is deified within the garbhagriha, that is in sq. form of twelve feet (3.7 m) and therefore the height is eleven feet (3.4 m). The Dharalinga or Shivalinga is in Rajasimha vogue, sculpted out of black volcanic rock stone. it's sixteen faces with slight channel to make a crown at the highest. the highest portion of the linga is broken. Its total height is half dozen feet (1.8 m) with one foot embedded within the foundation to supply stability bas-relief, that may be a family image of Shiva and his consort Parvati with their kid Karttikeya engineered over a stone block is found in an exceedingly tiny shrine within the temple. this is often conjointly known as the Somaskanda panel, a sculpted stone panel. 2 additional similar panels area unit seen at the doorway structure of the temple. this sort of panel is additionally delineated  within the near  Dharmaraja Ratha of the Paramesvarvarman's era. The ardha mandapa or 0.5 chamber that is that the initial chamber before getting into the sanctum sanctorum, conjointly has sculptures of Brahma on the south wall and Vishnu on its north wall. Sculptures of Shiva as Tripurantaka and Hindu deity area unit seen on the rear facet of the north wall of the most shrine. there's conjointly a circumambulatory passage to travel around the main shrine in an exceedingly right-handed direction.

The smaller Shiva temple behind the most temple may be a double storied structure with a stepped pyramidical tower with associate octangular shikhara engineered over a circular griva. A kalasa and decoration area unit fitted higher than the shikhara. kudus (horseshoe-arch dormer window like projections) and tiny shrines area unit a part of the cornices at each levels of the structure. A Somaskanda panel decorates the rear wall of the inner shrine. there's no mantapa (hall) ahead of this shrine (probably damaged). The external walls show 2 panels. One is termed Ekapada Murti, associate eye-legged type of Shiva with Brahma and Vishnu emanating from his sides. The second panel is of Nagaraja (king of serpents) standing below a five-hooded serpent.

Anantashayana Vishnu (reclining posture of Vishnu lying on the serpent Ananta) is enshrined in an exceedingly tiny rectangular shrine between the big Kshatriya Siddhesvara temple and therefore the Rajasimha Pallava temple. Vishnu is delineated  with four arms however his attributes area unit missing (damaged). The temple structure's rectangular tower is missing. the standard style of kudus and tiny sq. shrines area unit a part of the cornice arrangement. The external walls have carvings of Krishna murder the demon Kesi, Krishna dance over Kaliya (the seven hooded serpent), and Vishnu seated  on his vehicle Hindu deity within the act of saving Gajendra (elephant) from the mouth of a crocodilian. Inscription noted in Pallava Grantha script is on the header indicating it because the earliest shrine of the complicated.

The entire compound wall encompassing the temples is graven with giant sculptures of Nandi, the vehicle or mount of Shiva, and conjointly with Yalis and Varahas (boars).

HOW TO REACH Mamallapuram

Once a significant harbour of the Pallava kingdom, Mamallapuram, additionally referred to as Mahabalipuram, is your answer to India's best unbroken tranquil beach destination. Mamallapuram is additionally a historic city dotted with temples and beaux arts wonders from the past. Shore Temple, Arjuna's penance, 5 Rathas and Mahishamardini Mandapa square measure some should visit attractions here. Its proximity with city associated alternative common cities and cities of state resulted in an inflated holidaymaker movement.

 

How to Reach Mamallapuram by Air

Chennai field is the highest field to Mamallapuram. The field is found around fifty eight kilometre removed from the temple city. city is well connected with remainder of Asian nation  by all major domestic airlines. One will board a right away or stopover flight to city from anyplace in Asian nation so rent a cab to succeed in the city of Mamallapuram.

 

How to reach Mamallapuram by Road

Mamallapuram is well connected by road with remainder of state. State and personal buses ply at regular and frequent intervals from places like city, Pondicherry, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, to call some. Road condition is sweet and therefore the drive on the coast is sort of pleasant. reckoning on budget, passengers will avail AC or non AC buses.

How to reach Mamallapuram by Rail

Nearest train station to Mamallapuram is Chengalpattu Junction. It connects Chennai and various parts of Tamil Nadu by express and mail trains. On arrival at the station, one can hire a cab to travel a distance of around 29 km to reach Mamallapuram

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