Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments | UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is nestled on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal. The coastal city of the wonderful architectural treasure is situated in close proximity to Chennai in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. The architectural grandeur of the 7th and the 8th century monuments are the breathing illustration of ancient civilisation and beliefs. Five Rathas: Located at the southern edge of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) the Five Rathas are five free standing temples. There are about nine monolithic temples at Mahabalipuram. They are the unique contribution of the Pallavas to Indian Art. The monolithic temples are called locally as Ratha (Chariot). Shore Temple: This is one of the oldest temples in south India and belongs to the latter half of the 7th century AD, built with granite blocks. As it is on the shore overlooking the Bay of Bengal it is called as the Shore Temple. Arjunas Penance: It is a 27m x 9m World's largest. It has over 100 sculptures of Gods, Birds and Beasts and Saints. Mahishamardini Cave: The cave has a front mandapa with a triple cell with four pillars and two pilasters. On either side of this mandapa two large panels one representing Seshasayi Vishnu and other Mahishamardhini. Panchapandava Mandapa: A large cave temple of which only six lion pillars and similar pilasters at either end are finished. The brackets above the capitals of these pillars are decorated with lions and griffins with human riders. Trimurthi Cave: A triple celled temple with superstructure is believed to be dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Varaha Cave: The mandapa in the front has two lion-pillars and two pilasters and beyond this in the centre, the cell is guarded by two dwarapalas. There are four panels on the walls of front mandapa representing Varaha raising goddess earth from the ocean. Krishna's Butter Ball: The huge boulder near the Ganesha Ratha is popularly known as Krishna's Butter Ball. It rests precariously on a narrow rock based defying gravity...