Goddess Ganga's Descent from the Himalayas or Arjuna's Penance, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
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.
