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The Pallavas were great patrons of art and there artisans had their own distinct style of temple architecture. Shore temple complex was built by the Pallavas between 7th and 8th century.

The temple complex including the main temple, two smaller ones, many minor shrines, open mandapas and gateways were found buried under the sand. As per inscriptions found the names of these three shore temples during Pallava's time were Kshatriyasimha Pallavesvara-gruham, Rajasimha Pallavesvara-gruham and Pllikondaruliya-devar and the complex itself was termed as Jalashayana (meaning lying in water).

Rising to the first rays of light the main shore temple dedicated to Shiva faces east.

How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

This spectacular ancient open-air rock relief in Mahablipuram (7th century) has magnificent set of scenes that may be narrating either Arjuna's Penance or Goddess Ganga's descent from the Himalayas.

Both are engaging narratives - Arjuna's Penance is a tale from the Mahabharata - where Arjuna one of the Pandavas, performed severe penance to obtain Shiva's blessings in the form of Pāśupatāstra a supernatural weapon which supposedly can be discharged by the mind, the eyes, mere words, or a bow.

The tale depicting Goddess Ganga's Descent from the Himalayas - has Bhagiratha performing severe tapasya in Vrikshasana to obtain Shiva's blessings - so he can bring Goddess Ganga in the form of a celestial river down to earth from the Himalayas to release trapped souls of thousands of his dead ancestors.

The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram are a fusion of culture, myths, legends and hindu religious traditions. With more than 40+ monuments some which are incomplete they still deliver vivid sculpted expressions on rocks and boulders, on a mammoth scale.

Arjuna's Penance or Goddess Ganga's Descent - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Elaborate panoramic scenes carved on two huge boulders with a cleft in between - it is believed that water use to flow down the cleft symbolising sacred river Ganga - and if you were to observe the carving near the cleft you will see it is resplendent with Naagraj Vasuki, Ulupi and other nagas.

Arjuna's Penance or Ganga's descent - you could term it as you please - is a part of the many Monuments of Mahabalipuram that are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

Carvings include a distinct Rishi standing in Vrikshasana, performing tapsya (could be Arjun or Bhagirath) and celestial figures witnessing the event are Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Kimpurusha, Siddhas and Vidyadharas....

Right next to the rishi is four armed Shiva in a standing posture witnessing the event with his ganas and apart from sculpted divinities you can find carved wild animals either imitating  meditating rishis or witnessing the scene.

Sculpted Elephants symbolically add a divine element and also represent the powerful and mighty patrons or the Pallavas - there is a sculpted elephant family right next to the cleft that seems to be eloquently real.

Next to Arjuna's Penance or Descent of Ganga bas-relief is the Panchapandava mandapam - it’s unfinished with six pillars facing east. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

Pancha Pandav Raths are ancient monolithic raths (chariot) located at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, India.

Hewn out of large rocks these raths were sculpted and carved during King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I's rule (630–668 AD Pallava dynasty) and named after the Pandavas - as Dharmaraj Rath, Bhim Rath, Arjun Rath, Nakul-Sahadev Rath, and Draupadi Rath. Scholars believe the name may be a misrepresentation as there is no artistic or religious significance since they were unfinished and unconsecrated due to the death Narasimhavarman I.

Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Bhima Ratha is the largest of all raths and has a longitudinal structure with a barrel roof and columned galleries on both sides.

Each of the panch raths are distinctly designed - each a monolith thus sculpted out of a single rock of granite and its plinth is north-south oriented with a slight slope.

Bhim’s Rath, Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Dharmaraj's Rath is an elegant pyramidal structure built with a square layout and that rises in three levels- and the tallest of all the Pandava raths. You will find images of Ardhanarishvara, Harihara, Skanda, Indra on Airavat, King Narasimhavarman I in its many niches.

These raths were believed to have been inspired by the Buddhist Chaityas or prayer halls and Viharas. Their design may trace back to wooden temple chariots and these may have been built as an experimental-architectural models for larger such temples.

Dharmaraj’s Rath, Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Arjun Rath is ornate with an elaborate façade and is similar in design as the Yudhisthir or Dharmaraj's Rath - but has a two tiered structure and a hexagonal vimana .

Arjun's rath stands on the same plinth as Draupadi's Rath - it's walls are partitioned and have rectangular niches that have carved sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu and other deities.

Arjun's Rath, Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

The Draupadi Rath is a square elegant structure with a shrine of goddess Durga - the design resembles a village hut with a thatch roof .

Draupadi’s Rath, Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Nakul-Sahadev Rath has a south entrance whereas the other 4 raths have a west entrance. Apsidal in shape it is similar in design as Dharmaraj and Arjun's raths. It has a stone monolithic sculpture of an elephant next to it.

Nakul Sahdeva’s Rath, Panch Pandav Rath - along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

The Trimurti Cave Temple dated to the early 8th century is dedicated to the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

Trimurti Cave Temple along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

The Mamallapuram cave temples though incomplete still seem to elaborately impart know-how on how the cave monuments were excavated and built in 7th-century India.

Sections of the caves - pin point that artisans worked with sthalapatis or architects to chalk off the colonnade or pillars - to create rough-hewn jutting protuberances with exact specifications by cutting deep grooves into the rock. Excess of the the hanging rocks was removed and the process repeated. Once excavated other artisans polished the rocks and carved designs, motifs, friezes and Hindu iconography.

This process of creating rock-cut cave temples have greatly influenced the later structural Hindu temples.

Adivaraha cave or the Varaha Mandapa (dated to the 7th century) is just behind Arjuna’s penance and has brilliant sculpted depictions of Gajalakshmi, Durga, Vamana-Trivikrama and off course Varaha - Bhu-devi. The sculptures here depict Vaishnavism (Varaha, Vamana, Gajalakshmi), Shaivism (Gangadhara), and Shaktism (Durga).

Varaha Cave is a part of the many Monuments of Mahabalipuram that are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

Varaha is illustrated as rescuing Bhu-devi - designed as an underwater carved scene - water is depicted by leaves, lotus flowers as well as ripples - sculpted demon is presented being trampled by Varaha - surrounded by Rishis, Surya and Chandra witnessing the event.

Panel narrates the Vamana avatar tale - illustrating Trivikrama crushing Bali and other demons under his feet - many celestial figures surround the panel including Surya, Chandra, Shiva and Brahma who are witnessing the event. 

Varaha Cave along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

Trivikrama literally means 3 steps and is another name for Vamana - a Vishnu Avatar where Trivikrama asks Asura King Bali for three steps of land and just with two steps he takes over all that the mighty Aura King Bali owns - Bali being a noble Asura offers Vamana his own head as the third step thus also achieves moksha.

The Mahishasuramardini cave or mandapa though unfinished represents the classic Tamil temple rock art as its interior art is simply spectacular. 

Mahishasuramardini Cave along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?

The southern wall has a carving of Anantasayi Vishnu and - you will find one of the most exquisitely carved rock relief depicting Mahishasuramardini on the northern wall of the temple hall.

The Krishn mandap is an absolute treat for any Krishna devotee or someone who just enjoys slices of Madhav's colorful life. Large panels depict - Krishna lifting Govardhan parvat, under which all the animals and people take shelter, safe from Indra's fury Or Krishna playing the flute animals, birds and people listen intently.

Krishn Mandap along with other monuments at Mahabalipuram - is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram? 

Many Monuments and Monoliths of Mahabalipuram are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This painting of Arjuna's Penance at Mahabalipuram is by John Gantz.

Mahabalipuram now known by its ancient name Mammallapuram, is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and as per ancient history - Mammallapuram was an important and thriving seaport town during Pallavas rule.

How to reach Mammallapuram by air? Which is the nearest airport to Mahabalipuram?
Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport to Mammallapuram and is at a distance of about 55 km.

How to reach Mammallapuram by train? Which is the nearest railway station to Mahabalipuram?
Chengalpattu Junction is the nearest station to Mammallapuram and is at a distance of about 31 km.

The best time to visit Mammallapuram is during the cooler months from November to February.

Perched on the rock above the Mahishasuramardini cave temple overlooking the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal - the Olakkanesvara temple was built under the patronage of King Rajasimha from the Pallava dynasty in the early 8th century.

The external walls of the temple illustrate sculptures within niches or devkoshtas of - seated Dakshina-murti under a tree a form of Shiva as a teacher; Shiva's Ravananugraha manifestation where we see images of Shiva and Parvati seated on Mount Kailash and Ravana trying to shake the mountain; plus sculpted Nataraja.

How to reach Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram?