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Mahabalipuram
Architecture
Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram is a town of Indian state Tamil Nadu. It is well-known
for its Hindu temples, which date back to the seventh and eighth centuries built by Pallavas. The Group
of monuments at Mahabalipuram are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This town had developed
into a significant hub of architecture, art, and culture. The Mahabalipuram is one of the most important
topics for the UPSC IAS Examination.

Mahabalipuram: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mahabalipuram has monolithic, rock-cut structures with nearly 40 sanctuaries or monuments. It represents
early Dravidian architecture and due to Mahabalipuram Architecture, it was included in UNESCO World
Heritage Site. After getting on the list of UNESCO, it became an international tourist destination.
Mahabalipuram has historical ties to China and due to this, India-China informal summit takes place at
Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram: Historical Background

• Mahabalipuram's history extends back over 2000 years and at the start of the Christian era, it was
a thriving harbour.
• It was mentioned in the 1st century AD Greek work 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea,' as well as
by Ptolemy, the 2nd century AD Greek geographer.
• The area was known as Mallai or Kadalmallai in ancient times, even before the Pallavas arrived.
• The Pallava dynasty was based in Tamilnadu and flourished after the second century.
• Their history, which was documented in stones and inscriptions, dates from the sixth to the eighth
centuries.
• Prior to this, Mahabalipuram was already a prosperous seaport on the Bay of Bengal.
• The discovery of several coins and other artefacts in this area suggests that there was trade with
the Romans.
• Pallavas were predominantly Shaivite, but there were a few Vaishnava shrines established as well.
• Mahabalipuram was also a pilgrimage site, and Saint Thirumangai Alvar composed songs in
honour of it.
• This location was the Pallavas' sea port, according to Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller from the
7th century AD.
• There were rock-cut buildings and structural buildings found.
• Narasimhavarman I, who ascended to the Pallava throne, is most remembered for his construction
projects in Mahabalipuram.
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• Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram, after Narasimhavarman I, who was also known
as Mamalla.
• In 642 AD, he conquered and murdered the Chalukyan King Pulakesin II, as well as sacking his
capital Badami or Vatapi.
• He was given the titles of 'Vatapikonda' (Conqueror of Vatapi) and Mamalla (the Great Warrior).
• Previously, this port town was known as Maamalai, or 'Great Hill.'
• He improved the port's infrastructure and renamed it Mamallapuram, or 'City of Mamalla.'
• It was also known as the 'Place of 7 Pagodas' or the 'Place of 7 Temples' in 14th-century European
literature.
• From this harbour town, many Indian colonists sailed to Southeast Asia.
• Mahabalipuram prospered under the Cholas and the Vijayanagar Empire after the Pallavas.
• It was first mentioned in Europe in the 13th century, when it appeared in the Catalan Map of 1275,
following Marco Polo's visit.
• William Chambers, the first English visitor, arrived in 1788.
• When his team arrived in Mahabalipuram, they discovered the structures buried in the sand, with
only a few exceptions.
• After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, it must have fallen into disrepair.
• Colin Mackenzie, an ardent antiquarian, excavated some of the monuments out of the sand and
sent assistants to gather their traditions and coins.
• Mahabalipuram thus became one of the most essential historical archaeology sites in India.

Historical Connection Of Mahabalipuram with China

• Mahabalipuram's trade relationships with South-East Asian countries, particularly China, are
documented in history.
• Celadon-ware pottery from the first and second centuries was discovered near the eastern coast of
Tamilnadu providing evidence of nautical activities with China at the time.
• This demonstrates that trade links existed between Mamallapuram's coastal areas and China.
• When some Chinese coins dating back to 2000 years ago were discovered in Tamil Nadu,
Mamallapuram's trade links with China were revealed.
• A poem called "Pattinappalai" in Sangam literature recounts a Chinese ship off the coastline of
Tamil Nadu.
• There is evidence that this location was an important harbour during the Pallavas' reign in the 6th
century.
• Chinese pilgrims paid a visit to the Pallava ruler Narsimhavarman-capital's city.
• Hiuen Chiang was one of the remarkable and distinguished visitors to the kingdom.
• Another mythology dates back to the period of Buddha and claims that the Buddha was actually a
Pallava king who travelled to China in 527 AD and lived there.
• A Pallava prince named Bodhidharma is reported to have travelled to China as a Buddhist
messenger from Kanchipuram via Mahabalipuram and arrived in Guangzhou around 527 AD.
• He went on to succeed Prajnatara as the 28th patriarch of Buddhism.
• Bodhidharma's version of Buddhism in China became known as Chan Buddhism.
• It made its way to Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Far Eastern countries.
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• It became known as Zen Buddhism as it spread.

• He is also supposed to have taught the monks at the Shaolin temple a silent type of martial arts.
• There is also a historical reference to a Chinese monarch named Wei referring to Kancheepuram
as "Huang Che."

Archaeological Importance & Styles

• Archaeologically Mahabalipuram is very important as it acted as a foundation of temple
architecture in India.
• The Pallava monarchs built Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, a temple of art in Tamil Nadu.
• It's a magnificent treasure of sculpture and architecture. It is a beautiful example of Dravidian
culture and the Tamil people's ancient civilization.
• This is where temple architecture, which is a distinct aspect of Tamil culture, began.
• Cave temples, Carved monoliths, Sculptured sceneries or Bas relief, and Masonry temples are the
four forms of sculptures found in India. All four types can be found here.

Architectural Styles of Dravida or South Indian Temples

• A closed wall surrounds the Dravida-style temples.

• On the front side, there is a "gopuram," which is a gateway.
• The main temple tower, known as "Vimana," is shaped like a stepped pyramid.
• At the top of Vimana, there is a crown-like structure.
• At the temple's entrances, there are sculptures of dvarapalas, or doorkeepers.
• In some temples, a big reservoir or temple tank is prevalent.
• Garbhagriha, the temple's most sacred location, is housed in one of the temple's finest towers.
• The reason behind this is that as the population grows and more people come to visit the
temple, it will be required to expand the temple walls and gopuram towers.
• Dravida temples are divided into four categories based on their shapes: square-shaped kuta
or caturasra; rectangular-shaped shala or ayatasra; elliptical gaja-prishta, which is named so
because it resembles an elephant's back; circular vrittayata, which is derived from wagon-
vaulted shapes of apsidal chaityas.
• These distinct vimana and temple shapes are planned and constructed in accordance with the
deities.
• They are the temple's and structure's primary focus.

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

The Pallava Period’s group of monuments that make up the Mahabalipuram complex of world heritage
sites are well known. Mahabalipuram is home to a majority of monolithic, rock-cut structures. Nearly 40
monuments can be found there, including the world's largest open-air rock relief. The Mahabalipuram
group of monuments represents early Dravidian architecture and has incorporated Buddhist architectural
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aspects into their designs. In 1984, it was designated as a World Heritage site. It has major and minor
monuments. These are:

Major Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Shore temple

Narasimhavaraman II, commonly known as Rajasimha, built a masonry temple complex i.e. Shore temple
complex. In its courtyard, a row of nandis' sculptures can be discovered. The temple is facing towards the
east side from where the ocean is visible.

This complex contains three temples and these are

• Vishnu temple: It is known as the Narapathi Simha Pallava Vishnu shrine and houses the
Seshasayi Vishnu image. While the figure of Vishnu and the shrine's base are cut out of bedrock,
the Shore temple is largely made of masonry, constructed from quarried rock blocks. As a result,
the Shore temple is thought to be partially carved out of rock and partially built from stone blocks.
• Kshatriyasimha Pallavesvara temple: It is devoted to Siva and faces east as well as the sea. It
has a slender and elongated Vimana with a fluted granite Siva linga known as the 'Dhara Lingam.'
• Rajasimha Pallavesvara temple: This temple faces west and has a lower spire, is a Shiva temple.

https://blogmedia.testbook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shore-temple-5a27cc2a.png

(Shore temple)

5 Rathas

• Five Rathas are monoliths, which are free-standing figures carved out of solid rock.
• These are commonly referred to as Rathas, which are chariots or temple carts that do not have
wheels.
• They solely housed the images of deities at the time, and no worship was performed.

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• These are the first monuments of their sort in India, built during the reign of Narasimhavarman I
in the 7th century AD.
• After the Pandava brothers and their common queen, these are known as Pancha Pandava’s
Rathas.
• Yudhishtir, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, and their wife Draupadi are the five Pandava
brothers in the Mahabharata.
• From south to north, the temples get smaller and smaller.
• A finely carved Airavata (elephant) and Nandi (Lord Shiva's bull) are situated on the premises to
add to the beauty of the area.
• The crown or stupid (pot-finial) that must remain on top of the temple tower has been placed on
the ground in these Rathas, which is a fascinating aspect to note.
• It was intended to be a temple, but due to the death of Pallava King Narsimhavaramn I, it was
never completed.
• As a result, despite its appearance, it is not considered a temple.

https://blogmedia.testbook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/5-rathas-0cf0afac.png

(5 Rathas)

Descent of the Ganges

• The world's largest Bas Relief, carved by Maandhaatar in the 7th century AD, measures 25 metres
in length and 12 metres in height and is recognised as the world's largest sculpture.
• Bas relief is a work of art that is sculpted, carved, or moulded so that it barely protrudes from the
surrounding flat surface.
• It is also called Arjuna's Penance.
• Arjuna is pictured here and he is going through penance in order to get the strong Pasupatha Astra
from Lord Siva for the ensuing conflict with his relatives, the Kauravas.
• Pasupatha Astra or weapon is meant to generate a constant stream of arrows once fired).
• With trident, axe, and cobra wrapped around his neck, Siva is depicted.

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• This monument can be thought of as a virtual display of sculptures as it has more than 150
exquisite, lifelike figures.
• Along with the gods and goddesses Siva, Vishnu, Surya, Chandra, as well as celestial musicians
like the Kinnaras and Gandharvas, there are also serpents, hunters, regular people, snakes, wild
animals as well as domestic animals like cats and mice.
• The monument's inhabitants are mostly depicted facing the river, and many of them seem to be
running in its direction. This monument serves as a reminder that life on this planet is impossible
without water.
• The five dwarves standing behind Siva represent the five physical elements- Air, Earth, Space,
Fire, and Water - which are also the five senses.
• It bears the narrative of Bhagirathi, who is said to have brought the Holy Ganges river from heaven
to earth.
• This relief was made to commemorate Narasimhavarman I's victory over Chalukya King Pulakesin
II.

https://blogmedia.testbook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/descent-of-the-ganges-042767d3.png

(Descent of the Ganges)

Other Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Olakkannesvara Temple

• The Olakkannesvara Temple, popularly referred to as "the Old Lighthouse," is located in Mahabalipuram.
• It symbolizes the third eye of Lord Shiva.
• It was constructed in the eighth century and located on a hillock directly above the Mahishasuramardini
mandapa, from which the town is visible.
• Like the Shore Temple, it is a structural temple and it is devoted to Lord Shiva.
• This temple is also included in the Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments, which has been a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
• Although it is situated just above the Mahishasura cave, the two buildings are distinct and were created at
different times.
• On occasion, people make the mistake of calling this shrine the "Mahishasura Temple."
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Varaha Cave Temple

• Varaha Cave Temple is a temple carved out of rock that is situated at Mahabalipuram.
• It is also known as Adi Varaha Cave Temple and it was built in the seventh century.
• The Adi Varaha Perumal Cave Temple is the oldest and least frequented of Mahabalipuram's
Pallava buildings.
• The temple was built in the spirit of Vaishnava Agamic scriptures and is devoted to Vishnu as
Varaha is an incarnation of Vishnu.
• One of the best examples of the old Vishwakarma Sthapathis is this rock-cut temple.
• The sculpture of Bhudevi, the mother earth goddess, being lifted from the water by Lord Vishnu
in the guise of a Varaha, or boar, is the most noticeable one in the cave.

https://blogmedia.testbook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/varaha-cave-temple-e4fe34a9.png

(Varaha Cave Temple)

Thirukadalmallai

• This is the most important sculpture of Mahabalipuram and out of the 108 Divya desams, it is one
of them.
• The Pallavas erected this temple and devoted to Lord Vishnu and the temple protects the sculptures
from the sea.
• According to legend, once this temple was built, the remaining structure was kept and did not
corrode by the water.
• It was constructed as a free-standing temple rather than a rock-cut temple.

Krishna Mandapam

• The sculpture on the Krishna Mandapam shows Krishna raising the Govardhana hill.
• He was shielding the populace from an intense storm that Indra had brought.
• The best depiction of the Govardhana scenario in India is thought to be this one.

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Varaha Mandapam

• It is a cave temple that was built during the reign of King Narasimhavarman in the seventh century,
• This temple is devoted to Vishnu's third incarnation.
• A stunning sculpture of Trivikrama, the enormous form that Vishnu took to defeat the demon ruler
Mahabali, can be found on one of its panels.

Vishnu temple

• Locally known as Sthalasayana Perumal, the deity is shown in a particular position.

• Sthalasayana Perumal is depicted in the carvings as resting on the ground with one hand supporting his
head and the other making the usual invitation sign.
• He is lacking the conch and discus in addition to his regular serpent couch.
• Nila Mangai is the name of his partner.

Lion Throne

• It is a stunning sculpture of a mighty lion, the throne of the Pallavas, whose back has been flattened
to serve as a seat.
• The excavated ruins of a rock-cut treasury vault that King Narasimhavarman is thought to have
kept.
• The great wealth he acquired from the Chalukyan capital Vatapi after conquest can be found very
near to the seat, directly beneath the palace floor.

Other Monuments are

• Athiranachandha Cave: In the village of Saluvankuppam, close to Mamallapuram, in the Chengalpattu
District of Tamil Nadu, there is a complex of Hindu temples called Atiranachanda Cave Temple. It is under
the basement temple and has been constructed by Rajasimha Pallava. Rajasimha Pallava's honorific title is
Atiranachanda Pallava.
• Tiger Cave: The Hindu temple complex known as The Tiger Cave is carved out of rock and is situated
near the town of Mahabalipuram. Its name comes from the tiger head carvings on a cave's entrance that is
a part of the complex. It is built by the Pallavas in the eighth century AD.
• Adi Varaha Mandapam: A rock-cut cave temple called Varaha Cave Temple is situated in
Mamallapuram. It is a piece of the hilltop town, which is close to the Shore Temple and Rathas. It is a piece
of late seventh-century Indian rock-cut architecture. Out of numerous such caves, also known as mandapas,
the temple is one of the finest examples of ancient Hindu rock-cut cave architecture.
• The Ganesha Ratha: It is one of ten "chariots" called "rathas" that are part of the monument complex at
Mahabalipuram, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. The ratha is an illustration of
a monolithic Indian rock-cut building from the late seventh century, which was the time of King
Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Originally built with a Shiva Linga, it is now deified
with a Ganesha deity after the linga was taken out.

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Mahabalipuram in Today’s Age

• It is a World Heritage site. It represents early Dravidian architecture along with Buddhist
architectural aspects in their designs.
• The Mahabalipuram area is attempting to establish itself as the top beach destination in the nation
while simultaneously preserving its ancient temple culture.
• Every year, it also hosts a variety of cultural events, including plays and dance performances, to
honor the area's ancient legacy.
• There is also Shri Krishna's Butterball, a peculiar creation of nature. It is not a sculpture built by
humans.

Conclusion
Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage site
which was developed into a significant center of art, architecture, and literature between the third and
seventh centuries CE when the Pallava dynasty ruled. With its sculpture extravaganza, Mahabalipuram
evokes a certain air of architectural mystery.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the Mahabalipuram will be cleared after going through this article.
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