Mamallapuram-Panch Rathas

Arjuna, Draupadi Ratha
This two-storeyed temple has a graceful portrayal of Shiva leaning on his mount, bull Nandi. Royal couples and other elegantly carved figures in the niches embellish the outer walls.





Durga Panel
A four armed Durga is carved on the rear wall of the Draupati Ratha's Sanctum, with kneeling devotees in front. One of these is shown in the process of cutting his head off, as a supreme act of self-sacrifice.






Nakul Sahdeva Ratha
Named jointly afterthe Pandava twins, this ratha is unique for its apsidal form, known in architectural terms for as gajaprishta(back of an elephant).










Dharmaraja Ratha
An imposing three storeyed ratha, is crowned by an octagonal doomed roof. Sculpted panels are carved on the upper storeys.
(in pic)Harihara
Niche figures on the lower level include beautiful sculptures Harihara, a composite form of Vishnu and Shiva. The right side of the body with matted locks of hair is Shiva, and the left is Vishnu, with a smooth, tapering cylindrical crown.

Mamallapuram

Kanchipuram District, 58 km(36 miles) S of Chennai. Covelong road,(04114)42 232. Daily-Dance Festival(Dec/Jan).
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mamallapuram(or Mahabalipuram) was once a major port city, built in the 7th century by the Pallava king, Narasima Varman I, also known as the Mamalla, the "Great Wrestler". This spectacular site, situated on the Bay of Bengal, extends across a boulderstrewn landscape and comprises rock cut caves and monolithic shrines, structural temples and huge( in Pic... The sculptured relief at Mamallapuram, depicting Bhagiratha's Penance)bas-reliefs that are considered the greatest art of Pallava art. The stone-carving tradition that created these wonders is still alive in the many workshops scattered around the village.


Plan of Mamallapuram
The spectacular Shore Temple, perched dramatically on a promontory by the sea, has survived the ravages of time and erosion. It was built by Mamalla for Vishnu, while the two Shiva shrines were added by Mamalla's successor Narasimha Varman II. The temple has a low boundary wall, eith rows of seated Nandhis surrounding it.PLaced inside are a reclining Vishnu, a 16-faceted polished linga and reliefs of Somaskanda-a composite form of Shiva with his consort, Parvati and sons, Skanda and Ganesha.
Inland from the shore Temple, in the village centre, is the celebrated bas-relief Bhagiratha's Penance(in pic) , also known as Arjuna's Penance or the Descent of the Ganges.Carved on an immense rock with a natural vertical cleft, symbolising the Ganges, the panel depicts in great detail the story of the sacred river's descent from the sky. This divine act, made possible by the penance of the sage Bhagiratha, is witnessed on the panel by celestial and semi-celestial beings, ascetics, and animals.The symbolism is best understood during monsoon, when rain water flows down the cleft and collects in a tank below. Nearby are the unfinished Panch Pandava cave temple, and Krishna's butter ball, a natural boulder perched precariously on the slope.
South of the Bhagiratha's Penancxe is the Krishna Mandapa, showing the God lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people from torrential rains. The Olakkanantha Temple, above the Mandapa, was once used as a lighhouse. On the ridge southwest of Bhagiratha's Penance are three cave temples. The Mahisasuramardhini Cave Temple has a graceful portrayal of Goddess Durga on her lion mount, subduing the buffalo headed demon, Mahisa, on the northern wall.

DakshinaChitra

Chingelput District 26km(16 miles) S of Chennai (04114)45303 Wed-Mon
This heritage Village, on the Coromandel coast, provides a fascinating glimpse into the homes and lifestyles of the people of south India. The village features reconstructions of traditional houses, inckluding so far, six from Tamil Nadu, three from Kerala and one from Karnataka. The handsome Chettiar Mansion, with its elaborative carved wooden door, reflescts the wealth of Chettiar merchant community, while the homes of priests, farmers, weavers and potters are simple, utilitarian yet elegant. Within the complex is an Ayyanar shrine and an open courtyard, where folk and classical dance performers and craft demonstrations are held.

Environs
Cholamandel Village, 12 km(7 miles) north of DakshinaChitra, is an artist's village established in 1966 and the first of its kind in India.For nature lovers, the Crocodile Bank, founded by an American Zoologist, Romus Whittaker, is 15km(9 miles) south of the village. It includes a snake farm and a co-operative of Irulas, a community of rat-catchers.

Cholamandal Village
(044)492 6092 - daily
Crocodile Bank
wed-mon

TamilNadu

Towns, Cities and Districts
Chettinad 23
Coimbatore 19
Pondicherry 7
Ramanathapuram 24
Tiruchirapalli 14
Tuticorin 26
Vellore 4

Historic Sites
Dakshina Chitra 1
Gingee Fort 6
Mamallapuram 2

Temples and Temple Towns
Chidambaram 8
Gangaikondacholapuram 10
Kanchipuram 3
Kanniyakumari 30
Kumbakonam 11
Madurai 22
Palani 20
Rameswaram 25
Srirangam 15
Suchindram 29
Thanjavur 13
Tiruchendur 27
Tirunelveli 28
Tiruvaiyaru 12
Tiruvannamalai 5

Tours
Coromandal Driving Tour 9
Tour of the Nilgiris 18

National Parks
Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary 17

HillStations
Kodaikanal 21
Yercaud 16
Ooty 19