Monday, October 20, 2014

Grand Designs -- Mahabalipuram


Its all about fine sculptures, towering temples and silvery beaches


Renowned for its sea shore temples, Mahabalipuram is a tiny seaside village set in a boulder-strewn landscape near Chennai. Located on the Bay of Bengal, Tourists are drawn by the miles of unspoiled beaches and rock-cut art that the hamlet offers. The Sculptures here, following the Dravidian style of architecture, showcase day-to-day life, in contrast to the other temples in Tamil Nadu which generally depict gods and goddesses.

Mahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories: open air bas-relief, structured temples, man-made caves, and raths or chariots. Arjuna’s Penance and the Krishna Mandapa have been etched on massive rocks near the center of the village. The beautiful shore temples tower over the waves behind the protective breakwaters.

Panch Pandava Rathas, Krishna Mandapa, Vraha Cave and Krishna’s Butterball are the other prominent temples in Mahabalipuram. In addition to the beautiful etchings and carvings in stone, the place also offers the traveler the shade of rows of casuarinas trees and calm stretches of silvery beaches.



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