India-rathas and dakshin chitra

Mahabalipuram + Dakshinachitra

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is in south India, and it is between Chennai and Pondicherry, so if you are touring Pondicherry then in return you can halt at this World heritage site. You can arrive at this place by car, train, taxi or buses.
Mahabalipuram is a small historical town along The Bay of Bengal, and it is famous for the world-class heritages. The UNESCO had declared Mahabalipuram as a world heritage site many years ago then after the town is very popular for tourists, every year thousands of tourist visit this town.

Mahabalipuram town and heritages built by Pallava dynasty, in the 3rd century, Mahabalipuram was the port town for business with another country and reign in the world. Mahabalipuram was the centre of art and architecture. During Pallava dynasty, Mahabalipuram was flourishing art and culture in the town.
Mahabalipuram survived in many floods in past as per the study, and so many heritage’s levels down, and some of the heritage’s surround area had excavated to reveal full details.

The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai (Madras), located around 60 km away. One can get flights for almost all major destinations in India and abroad.

The nearest railway station, Chengalpattu, is situated around 29 km away from Mahabalipuram. Trains for Chennai and several other major cities in South India are available from here.

Mamallapuram is connected by road to Chennai (57km), Tirukkalikundram (15.2km), Kanchipuram (69 km), and Pondicherry (95.6km).

1. Sea Shore Temple

Shore temple is just located abutted to The Bay of Bengal, and that why the temple got the likewise name ‘’Shore Temple’’. Shore temple is part of the Mahabalipuram UNESCO world heritage site like other ancient monuments in the town.

The Shore Temple carved from single granite stone from top to bottom, and this is the unique architecture style.
The architecture style is termed Dravidian temple architecture and, this style of architecture developed in the Pallava Dynasty in south India under king Narsimha Varma.

Shore temple is a rock-cut temple and, the full height of the temple carved from the single granite stone. the entrance, shrines and Garbh Griha build on a huge platform, and the surrounding area of the platform has level down similar to the moat to isolate this temple and, penetrate seawater in the little moat. The appearance of the temple resembles a pyramid shape. and, the height of the temple is 18m as per record.

Presently the temple has protected from the high tide by creating mountain and, vegetation behind the temple and abutted to the Bay of Bengal coastline. The temple shikhara has many bands and, these bands are becoming more extended from top to bottom on the shikhara, in between these band, there are many sculptures carved. The top of the shikhara has big Kalasha. The bulls (Nandi) are creating a rhythm on the platform in the whole temple complex. The temples both interiors and exteriors are elaborately carved and sculptured. The sculpture, idols and many carved things have the same proportions, same sizes even they replicate.

The Shore Temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, there is Shiv Linga in the Garbh Griha, but this temple is closed for worship and, not pray to happen in any day of a year.

The best time to visit Shore temple is early morning when, the first ray of the sun glows the temple, and evening time when the last ray of sun reflects on the sea, make an aura behind the temple. In some festive time or on some occasions, the temple organises the cultural festival, art and dance programme in the premise.

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2. Ratha

Rathas are part of UNESCO world heritage site, the Rathas Complex located in the same town Mahabalipuram on Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, near Chennai. the Rathas on walkable distance from Shore temple, it just takes 15 walks to reach from the temple. If you prefer to not walk then, you can hire a rickshaw to reach the Rathas.

The Rathas were under the sand for many years after, it carved from stones but, in British period Archaeological survey had unearthed further to reveal more detail of the Rathas Complex. On your visit, you will see the level down of the surrounding ground of Chariots Complex.

The Rathas means Chariots, The Panch Rathas name after Pandavas of great epic Mahabharat, the five structures each chiselled in the shape of Rathas or chariots out of a large block of stone or monolith of granite typifies monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture that dates back to the 7th century during the reign of the Pallava dynasty.

All Rathas dedicated to Pandavas, the five Rathas are named as ‘Dharmaraja Ratha’, ‘Bhima Ratha’, ‘Arjuna Ratha’, ‘Nakula Sahadeva Ratha’, and ‘Draupadi Ratha’ after the five Pandava brothers and their common spouse Draupadi from the great Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’.

Some Rathas are still unfinished, in some raths Column or pillars are missing and some have part without uncarved but, it does not notice in the whole campus of the Rathas but, definitely you will be in love once you see the Dravidian style of architecture in Rathas. These Ratha's architecture has immense influence in south India temple and, the Dravidian style of architecture reflects in most Hindu religious temples. There is a storey behind every Rathas, and every Rathas dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Other Hindu gods, and, the carved of Idols, animals, and plants also have mythological stories. The roofs of the Rathas have a unique shape and, a similar kind of roof is there in some Buddhist rock-cut temples in India.

If you wish to learn more about Rathas and other monuments of the town then it is advisable to hire a tourist guide on the site, the will take you to every place and explain it briefly.