Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a historic city and UNESCO World Heritage site in Tamil Nadu, India, lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. During the reign of the Pallava dynasty, between the 3rd century CE and 7th century CE, it became an important center of art, architecture, and literature. Mahabalipuram got its name after King Mahabali got killed by Lord Vishnu in a fierce battle and the place was named after the dead.The city was a well-established seaport also was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. A significant amount of coins and other artifacts excavated from this region also indicate a pre-existing trade relation with the Romans even before it became a part of the Pallava Empire.
It was during the reign of King Narasimha Varman I, the name Mahabalipuram was changed to Mammalapuram. Mamallapuram king Narasimha Varman 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 his achievements.Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is a perfect occasion for the dance lovers, who can enjoy the performances of the artists from all parts of the country. This festival is celebrated in the month of January/February every year. The Shore Temple is the venue of this festival.
Mahabalipuram is famous for monuments built during the Pallava Dynasty & the temples are in the form of rock-cut caves. All the five Ratha’s are carved out of single stone and are named after five Pandava’s. The first Rath is named after Draupadi, next to it is Arjun’s, in front of it is Nakul-Sahdev’s Rath The longest and the biggest one is of Bhima’s Rath which is said to be still incomplete. And the last tall one is of the Udhistar’s Rath.
The Archaeological Survey of India museum is located on the west raja street near the lighthouse. It preserves Pallava sculptures recovered from Mahabalipuram and its surroundings. One can enjoy the natural scenery from here nearby the New Lighthouse is the old Lighthouse named as Olakaneswara which means the flame-eyed shiva.
GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF SCULPTURE, located 2 kilometers away from Mahabalipuram towards Kovalam Road allow students learn the art of making sculptures right from ancient drawings and sculptures both in wood and stone as well as the classical Hindu traditional sculptures.
The destruction of the city revolves around the myth saying that it got destroyed by the “God” who was jealous of its beauty and sent a flood to bury it beneath the waves.Each Visit to Mahabalipuram will fetch u a new story of this ancient city.
However, Great Britain’s Scientific Exploration Society (SES) and India’s National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), are on the goal to search beneath the sea and make a detailed survey that would confirm the existence of the temples, and investigate the date of their destruction.
