| Columbia Encyclopedia: Mahabalipuram |
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| Mahabalipuram | |
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| Country | |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Kancheepuram |
| Population | 12,049 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 12 m (39 ft) |
Coordinates: 12°38′N 80°10′E / 12.63°N 80.17°E Mahabalipuram (Tamil: மகாபலிபுரம்) also known as Mamallapuram (Tamil: மாமல்லபுரம்) is a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It has an average elevation of 12 metres (39 feet).
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.
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The temples of Mamallapuram, built largely during the reigns 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 hewn 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. The Shore Temple includes many bas reliefs including one 100 ft. long and 45 ft. high carved out of granite. [1]
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'.[2]
The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic, and constitute the early stages of Dravidian architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design are prominently visible. They are constituted by cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. The pillars are of the Dravidian order. The sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art.
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. [3] 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. [4]
Some important structures include:
According to descriptions by early travel writers from Britain, the area near Mahabalipuram had seven pagodas by the sea. Accounts of Mahabalipuram were first written down by British traveller John Goldingham who was told of the "Seven Pagodas" when he visited in 1798.
An ancient port city and parts of a temple built in the 7th century may have been uncovered by the tsunami that resulted from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. As the waves gradually receded, the force of the water removed sand deposits that had covered various rocky structures and revealed carvings of animals, which included an elaborately carved head of an elephant and a horse in flight. A small square-shaped niche with a carved statue of a deity could be seen above the head of the elephant. In another structure, there was a sculpture of a reclining lion. The use of these animal sculptures as decorations is consistent with other decorated walls and temples from the Pallava period in the 7th and 8th centuries.
The Archaeological Survey of India sent divers to begin underwater excavations of the area on February 17, 2005.
As of 2001[update] India census,[5] Mahabalipuram had a population of 12,049. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mahabalipuram has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 66%. In Mahabalipuram, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Mahabalipuram is known for its many orphanages which often invite tourists to visit them (and donate).
Some of the idols at the present site are missing. Recently one of the idol is being found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art [1]. The idol at the museum measures exactly same and is made from the same stone which is found at the site
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The Shore Temple |
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Apart from private bus operators, TNSTC and MTC Chennai operate buses to and from Mahabalipuram
| Route Number | Start | End | Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Mahabalipuram | Tambaram | Thiruporur,Kelambakkam |
| 108 B | Mahabalipuram | Chennai | Thirukazhukundram,Chengalpattu |
| 117 | Mahabalipuram | Kovalam (Tamil Nadu) | East Coast Road |
| 118 | Chennai | Kalpakkam | Mahabalipuram,East Coast Road |
| 119 | Chennai | Kalpakkam | Mahabalipuram,Old Mahabalipuram Road |
| 188 (ECR) | Chennai | Puducherry | Mahabalipuram |
| 188 C | Chennai | Cheyyur | Mahabalipuram,Kalpakkam |
| 188 D | Chennai | Anaicut | Mahabalipuram,Kalpakkam |
| 188 K | Chennai | Kadapakkam | Mahabalipuram,Kalpakkam |
| 212 A | Mahabalipuram | Kanchipuram | Thirukazhukundram,Chengalpattu |
| 515 | Mahabalipuram | Tambaram | Thiruporur,Kelambakkam |
| 568 | Mahabalipuram | Adyar,Chennai | Old Mahabalipuram Road |
| 588 | Mahabalipuram | Adyar,Chennai | East Coast Road |
| 589 | Velachery | Mahabalipuram | East Coast Road |
| 599 | T.Nagar | Mahabalipuram | East Coast Road |
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| Pallava (dynasty, India) | |
| Taty Rybak (art) | |
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