Mamallapuram / Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments built by Pallava Dynasty Rulers – World Heritage Site, Tourist Destination, Visited by Sh Narendra Modi and Mr Xi Jinping
This article talks about group of monuments in Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram built by Pallava dynasty rulers. It describes the features of the heritage structures in Mamallapuram and discusses about the possible stories depicted by artwork carved in them. It also mentions why this site is recently in news.
Introduction
Pallava Dynasty
Mamallapuram
Features of Group of Monuments
Current Importance
Why in News?
Conclusion
Introduction
Mamallapuram is a city in South of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It was set up by Pallava dynasty rulers in 7th century. The city was commercially important. It was a trade center and a port for trading with China, Western countries and South East Asian countries. Pallava dynasty rulers built a group of monuments in Mamallapuram on the coast of Bay of Bengal. These monuments are worldwide famous and fall under UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pallava Dynasty
Pallava dynasty was a great dynasty who ruled in South India for about 600 years. It started from Simha Vishnu succeeded by his son Mahendravarman (600 – 630 AD). During ruling period of Mahendravarma, cave type and panel type monuments were built. The third ruler Narsimhavarman I (630 – 668 AD) was greatest among all rulers. He was a great warrior, art over and capable businessman. Majority of monuments at Mamallapuram was built by Narsimhavarman I. During his reign and his successor Rajsimhavarman, architecture of rock cut and structural buildings evolved. Pallava rulers came from Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram and by the end of 6th century; they extended their control from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu. They defeated Chalukyas, Cholas, and Cheras; and established largest empire in South India as documented in available historical inscriptions. They spread trade, meditation, Yoga and Buddhism from Persia, Rome, Java, Sumatra to China.
Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram was hub of trade and commerce in ancient and early medieval India. The name “Mamallapuram” is composed of two words, ”Mamall” and “Puram” which meals fighter and city respectively. Thus, to commemorate great ruler Narsimhavarman I, whose title was “Mahamalla” the city was given name of “Mamallapuram”. The other names of Mamallapuram are:
Thirukadalmallai – “Thiru” means god, “Kadal” means Sea water and “Mallai” means Mountain.
Mahamallai which means great warrior
Mahabalipuram means village of great sacrifice. (“Maha” means great, “Bali” means sacrifice, and “Puram” means village)
Features of Group of Monuments
Artwork at Mahabalipuram is inspired from 2300 years old Sangam literature. Marco Polo described Mamallapuram in his travel book as a city of seven pagodas. Shore temple is the last pagoda visible on sea bank in the city of Mahabalipuram. Rest six pagodas have been submerged in sea water. Their remains were seen during tsunami of 2004. The monuments in Mamallapuram are described here:
Shore Temple
Shore temple was built in eighth century. Europeans named it as Black Pagoda. Initially there were no difference seen between Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Shaivites raised funds even for Vaishnav temples and Buddhist Vihars. The temple is carved in to number of slender and delicate figures of Shiva, Vishnu, Murugam and Shakti. At the entrance of shore temple, Buddha statue is placed between two statues of elephants. The figures of Nandi are carved on the boundary and those of god Murugam are carved on the walls of temple.
Arjuna Penance
There is a depiction of 154 figures on a wall which is 36 ft high and 75 ft long. What do those images depict is a mysterious story. Some historians believed that the carvings on the wall are inspired from Mahabharat of Vyas. The image of penance on the wall is that of Arjuna who is praying to Lord Mahadev to get Pashupati shastra. Others believed it to be an image of Bhagirathi who is doing penance to bring river Ganga on earth from heaven in order to emancipate his ancestors. Recent studies suggested that it is just a depiction of a happy afternoon of summer in Himalayas. At present, researchers resolved their disputes and believe in story of Arjuna penance.
Krishna Mandap
The structure was open initially. After 300 years of its construction, it was covered by making a roof standing on pillars. The artistic sculptures depict images of Lord Krishna holding Govardhan mountain, images of Gopikas, strong rainfall caused by Indra in Vrindavan, women carrying mats on their heads and many more.
Panchratha
Panchratha are five chariot like temple structures each built by cutting single piece of rock. Thus, they are called monolithic structures. It is assumed that they were constructed in devotion to Pandavas and their wife Draupadi. The five rathas are Dharamraj ratha, Bhima ratha, Arjuna ratha, Draupadi ratha and Nakul Sehdeva ratha. Some features of Ratha monuments force one to believe that they are not actually devoted to Pandavas They are built in five different architectures. Draupadi ratha is built in Bengali architectural style. The goddess image in ratha can be of Durga as there is a statue of lion outside draupadi ratha. Similarly, Arjuna ratha can be of god Murugam, as there is a depiction of Murugam on eastern wall of Arjun Ratha. Ratha devoted to Nakul and Sehdeva can be for Indra because there is a white elephant which may be “Airavata” of Indra. Dharamraj Ratha, tallest among five rathas can be a devotion to Surya due to presence of horses. Bhima ratha is largest of all five rathas. It may be devoted to Lord Vishnu.
Krishna’s Butterball
In the premise of Mahabalipuram temple complex, a rock is standing on a slight slope. It is a miracle as it appears to roll now and then but it is standing there since more than last 1200 years. Narasimhavarman I tried to displace it and even British officials tried to displace it in 1908 with the help of elephants but failed. The rock piece is popular as Lord Krishna’s butter ball.
Varaha Gupha
This monument was built in seventh century. It is devoted to Vishnu’s incarnation of Varaha and Vaaman.
The other important structures are “Mahishasur Mardhini” and “Tiger caves”. It is believed that tiger caves were used for doing meditation.
Current Importance
The group of monuments at Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is categorized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its architecture is a source of attraction for tourists from the whole world. The artwork is also lively appearance of Sangam literature and discloses the potential capabilities of artists of Pallava time. They are crucial from point of view of preservation of great historic culture of not just South India but also that of mythological beliefs of entire India.
Why in News?
At present, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is widely seen in news due to visit of of Sh. Narendra Modi and Mr. Xi Jinping during informal summit. It is expected that this visit may further popularize this historic place and will bring high inflows of tourists.
Conclusion
In the words of Mahendravarman I, group of monuments at Mamallapuram were built to be alive forever. His prophecy seems to be true and monuments at Mahabalipuram will remain intact for long.
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