Mamallapura Sculptures and Temples (PaLlava's period temples)

MAMALLAPURA SCULPTURES AND TEMPLES (PALLAVA'S PERIOD TEMPLES)

Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram Temple was built by Rajasimma Pallavar. When the king Narasimha Mamalla went on a picnic with his father, he drew a picture on a rock. On seeing that, his father got an idea to build immortal temples on the rocks. Rajasimhan named the temple after his son Mamallan.

1. Cave Temples

There are 9 cave temples in Mamallapuram. Those are special inscriptions on events in Hindu mythology.

1. Tiger Cave

The tiger cave has been carved as an open-air arena for staging multi-cultural events. It has been set up with 16 yali heads. It also has many other beautiful sculptures.

2. Athiranasanda Pallaveswara Kirugam

An inscription found in the mandapa mentions that Shiva may always stay here with Umai and Gugan.

3. Archuna Penance

The rock sculpture Archuna penance, a 90 feet rock masterpiece, depicts Archuna's penance to Lord Shiva for Pasupatha Astra during the mid day in summer to fight with Gowravas.

This rock sculpture is the largest collection of sculptures in the world. Images of gods, devas, humans, monsters, birds and insects have been carved with great artistic elegance.

4. Krishna Mandapam

According to the legend, Kannan lifted the Govardhana Hill as an umbrella to protect the Gokula shepherds, goats and cows from the rains and storms caused by Indra. The Pallavas have sculptured the same. This is Adhivaraga Cave Temple.

5. Pancha Pandava Rathas

Pancha Pandava Rathas or Pancha Rathas are the five gigantic sculptures carved out of a single stone. These five sculptures have been carved to represent the Pancha Pandavas and their wife Draupathi in the Mahabharatha. They are

(i) Dharumar Chariot

(ii) Beeman Chariot

(iii) Arjunan Chariot

(iv) Nagulan Sahadevan Chariot

(v) Draupathi Chariot

Actually, these are the temples built for the workship of Shiva and Durga.

a) Dharumar Chariot has three floors. It might have been kept for Lord Shiva worship.

b) Beeman Chariot is in an unfinished state. It may be for Thirumal God.

c) Arjunan Chariot might have been dedicated to Lord Shiva.

d) Nagulan Sagadevan Chariot might have been designed for Indiran.

e) Draupathi Chariot looks like a small hut.

6. Ulaganeswarar Temple

It is a 7th Century stone temple. The lamp lit in this temple was the harbour beacon during the Pallava period.

7. Mahishasuramarthini Cave

In this carved temple, there is a sculpture of the goddess who destroyed Mahishasura. There are masterpieces of sculptures including Somaskandar sculpture and Ananda Perumal sculpture. The goddess seated on a lion facing Mahishasuran with ten hands holding bow and arrow and fighting against him. This is presented excellently. She keeps her right leg on the lotus base and her left leg on the lion. The goddess is fighting with Mahishasuran and he runs away.

8. Raamanuja Hall

Ramanuja Hall was carved for Shiva. It was carved with three sanctum sanctorums namely Shiva, Brahma and Tirumal. Later, this carving for Shiva was destroyed and changed to the carving for Perumal.

9. Varaha Hall

It is a small hall carved out of single stone. On the walls of this carving, there are sculptures of Varahamurthy, Thirumagal seated on a lotus, Kotravai and Ulagalanda Perumal.

Particularly, there is a sculpture of Varaga bagavan carrying Boomadevi on his horns.

10. Ganesa Ratham

This is an undamaged temple carved out of a single stone. Ganesa Ratham is the only sculptural temple currently remains for worship at Mamallapuram.

11. Embossed Sculptures

Emossed sculptures have a three dimensional structure even if we look at them from four sides. These sculptures appear to be attached to the wall and are self-contained outside.

12. Beach Temple

Mamallapuram Beach Temple was the first constructed temple in Tamil Nadu. It was constructed by a Pallava king second Narasimmavarman alias Rajasimhan. The height of this temple is 45 feet and has two beautiful vimanams. Actually, it consists of three temples. They are two Shiva temples and one Vishnu temple. Both Shiva temples have Vimanams. But, there is no Vimanam to the Vishnu temple. In this, Somaskandar in Linga form and Jalasayana Perumal in sleeping posture are found in damaged conditions.