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.
Arjuna, Draupadi Ratha
Durga Panel
Nakul Sahdeva Ratha 
