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Tamil
Nadu ( Mamallapuram )
INTRODUCTION
Get away to
Mamallapuram, a
historical retreat set amidst natural beauty. Lying 58
km sough of Chennai, this ancient seaport of the
pallava dynasty invites connoisseurs of art. Its
monuments hewn out of solid rock, though ravaged by the
sea an d wind, still bear testimony to the magnificent
heritage of Dravidian architecture.
The Shore Temple, one of the
oldest in South India, stands on the sea shore with its
paved forecourts. An immense bas-relief, 27 m long and
8 m high, intricately carved, depicts Arjun's Penance.
Early rock-cut temples excavated
from the hillside have large carved panels depicting
stories from India mythology. The carvings in the
Mahishasuramardini cave, which show the goddess Durga
Killing a demon and Lord Vishnu in his cosmic slumber,
are particularly remarkable. Sri Krishna's avatar comes
alive in the Krishna Mandapam where a sculpted panel
depicts pastoral life and the lifting of the Govardhan
hillock.
Yet another marvel of sculptural
excellence are the Five Rathas, referred to as the
pancha Pandava Rathas.
The Government College of
Architecture and Sculpture offers intensive training in
the various branches of temple art and architecture.
The creations of the budding craftsmen are on display.
Besides being an open air museum
of ancient Pallava art and architecture, Mamallapuram
has the added lure of a beautiful beach and fine
resorts.
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