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Mahapalipuram

Introduction:

    Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to have been named after the Pallava king Mamalla. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

About sculpture:

 The temples of Mamallapuram, built largely during the regions of Narasimhavarman and his successor Rajasimhavarman, showcase the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building. The mandapa or pavilions and the rathas or shrines shaped as temple chariots are  from the granite rock face, while the famed Shore Temple, erected half a century later, is built from dressed what makes Mamallapuram so culturally resonant are the influences it absorbs and disseminates.

 All but one of the rathas from the first phase of Pallava architecture are modelled on the Budhist viharas or monasteries and chaitya halls with several cells arranged around a courtyard. Art historian Percy Brown, in fact, traces the possible roots of the Pallava Mandapa to the similar rock-cut caves of Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. Referring to Narasimhavarman's victory in AD 642 over the Chalukyan king Pulakesin II, Brown says the Pallava king may have brought the sculptors and artisans back to Kanchi and Mamallapuram as 'spoils of war'.

 The monuments of Mahabalipuram are picturesquely situated close to the sea about 55 km south of Madras. Most of the magnificent monuments of this ancient sea port were built during the reign of Narasimhavarman I & II(630-728 A.D.) of the Pallava dynasty. The monuments at mahabalipuram can be grouped as: (i) Monolithic temples constructed in the style of rathas or chariots, (ii) caves by excavating the hills for temples called mandapa, (iii) the masonry temples, and (iv) sculptured scenes or carved hill edge.

 It is believed by some that this area served as a school for young sculptors. The different sculptures, some half finished, may have been examples of different styles of architecture, probably demonstrated by instructors and practiced on by young students. This can be seen in the Pancha Rathas where each Ratha is sculpted in a different style. These five Rathas were all carved out of a single piece of granite in situ. While excavating Khajuraho Alex Evans a stone mason and sculptor recreated a stone sculpture made out of sandsstone, which is softer than granite, under 4 feet that took about 60 days to carve. the carving at Mahabalipuram must have required hundreds of highly skilled sculptors.

Caves

 There are nine rock-cut cave temples. The Mahishasuramardhini cave, contrasting the goddess fighting a demon on one side, and Lord Vishnu's cosmic sleep on the other, is a particularly remarkable.

Krishna Mandapam

 This cave has a big bas-relief, notable for its realistic representation. The panel relates one of the stories of Lord Krishna.

Five Rathas

 These rock-cut temples are rated as excellent examples of Pallava art. Shaped in different styles, the five structures are named after the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharatha and Draupadi. These are monolithic temples, each created in a different style. They are also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas, and the four of the rathas are supposed to have been scooped out of a single rock formation.

The Shore Temple

 This is one of the oldest temples in South India. It belongs to the 8th Century A.D. and is a good example of the first phase of the structure of temples constructed in the Dravidian style.

Other Interesting Monuments

 The Ganesha Ratha, the Varaha Cave, the Old Light House, Krishna's Butter Ball, Gopi's Churn, Valayankuttai Ratha, Kodikal Mandapam, are some of the other monuments that catch a person’s interest.

Varaha Cave

 This is a small rock-cut mandapam featuring four panels of fine looking door-keepers and four interesting bas-relief.

Krishna's Butter Ball

 The huge boulder near the Ganesha Ratha is popularly known as Krishna's butterball. It rests precariously on a narrow rock base. It is believed that several Pallava kings have attempted to move the stone, but legend is that neither the kings nor their elephants could shift the boulder even by an inch.

 Arjuna's Penance - relief sculpture on a massive scale extolling an episode from the Hindu epic, The Mahabharata.

 Varaha Cave Temple - a small rock-cut temple dating back to the 7th century.

The Shore Temple - a structural temple along the Bay of Bengal with the entrance from the western side away from the sea. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here. The temple was reconstructed stone by stone from the sea after being washed away in a cyclone.

Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. An interesting aspect of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled — each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.

Tiger's Cave

 This cave it is located 4 kms north of the main monument complex. It was built as an open-air theatre, where cultural programmes could have been held during the Pallava period. Though it is very near the sea, the place is serene and calm.

The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillars in the portico with statute of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof. The Arjuna ratha is the most elegant of the group having beautiful makartorana on its three sides. The other three rathas named Bhima, Ganesh and Nakula Sahadeva have Buddhist type of architecture with an oblong base on which two or three storey structures with a small gopuram stand.

The ten mandapas are hewn out of huge rock mass. Their heights vary between 4.5 and 6 m. They are famous for the shape and design of the pillars and roll, cornices and sculptures. Of all the mandapas, the Varaha cave and the Mahishamardini cave are the finest architectural works of Pallavas in the rock-cut temples. Of the different carvings in addition to the Hindu deities, there are the monkeys, lions, elephants, deer and ascetics exhibiting vigour and charm.

About the Author

I am Pavithra, I am Historical Studies Student, so I have Interested in writing articles.

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