Dravidian architectural masterpiece- Mahabalipuram

This place is literally an Open-Air Museum.

The beauty of this place is not just because of the rock cut temples but the vast trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical handmade crafts around have made the place a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits Mahabalipuram will remain Awestruck with its grandeur.

The Pallava’s art monumental brilliance attracts tourists from all over the world. This temple becomes India’s most visited monument by foreigners, surpasses Taj Mahal, according to the report by ‘India Tourism Statistics 2022’

Tajmahal might be among the seven wonders of the world, but it is not doing any wonders in attracting foreign tourists. Every year most of the International visitors come to this temple to see the rich heritage of this place.

Mamallapuram

Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, is a town on a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake, in the south of India. The place has been under the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984. The distance from Chennai to Mahabalipuram by road is 58kms.

Shore Temple

Shore temple is one of the oldest temples in Tamilnadu South India.
Since Pallava kings were both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Mamallapuram has shrines of both beliefs. Though no formal worship is done today, large number of visitors come every day to enjoy the sculptures of Pallava’s art and architecture.

You can get the most beautiful view of this gorgeous seaside temple, during the sunset.

Arjuna’s penance

Alternatively known as Descent of the Ganges, Arjuna’s penance is a gigantic open air bas-relief sculpted out of pink granite. The dramatic relief sculpture narrates the tales from Indian epics such as the Mahabharatha. Other similar rock artworks close by have been left unfinished due to some unexplained reason.

Krishna’s butterball

We all know how gravity works?

But do you know Krishna’s Butter Ball?

The position of the rock is so strange that you will be left wondering how it manages to stick there and not roll down the slope.

It’s a massive 20 feet high and 5 metre wide rock that stands on a slippery slope of a hill, which has a base of less than 4 ft. It’s popularly known as Krishna’s butterball as butter is believed to be Lord Krishna’s favourite food, and as per the myth, it falls from heaven.

It may not be fallen from heaven as they say but it is the handiwork of nature.

Mahabalipuram Today

Mahabalipuram is trying to re-create its image as the country’s premier beach resort but it is definitely not one of the best beaches I have been to.

Finally, if you want to see rich cultural heritage site with monuments, along with sun-kissed beaches and scenic shorelines then this place is for you.