It was a news to me when I read that Mahabalipuram was built on the wealth amassed from destruction of Vatapi by the Pallavan King. The capital of Chalukyas was Badami ( Vatapi old name ) which was ransacked for its supreme wealth and grandeur.
The Pallava kings had established Mahabalipuram as a sea port to have trading links with China, Arabs and Greeks. Infact the antecedents point out to trading links to earlier times with Roman empire and later to European. It can be pointed out that Pallavan kings were inspired by Chalukyan architecture and wanted to surpass them in their own capital and nearby areas.
This place was earlier referred to as city of SEVEN PAGODAS or placee of seven temples. But unfortunately Tsunami in 1341 AD seems to have submerged the majority of the Pagodas and Palaces built around the seashore, with element of nature sparing only one seashore temple for future generation to relish. How ironic, another Tsunami in 2004 has helped to uncover the remains of lost monuments.
This complex was a part of the grand seven pagodas. The credit for construction of the shore temple should go to Pallava King Rajasimha ( 700 - 728 AD ) This temple which is situated bang on the sea shore is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This structure may have inspired Raja Raja Chola to build Thanjavur big temple
This complex was a part of the grand seven pagodas. The credit for construction of the shore temple should go to Pallava King Rajasimha ( 700 - 728 AD ) This temple which is situated bang on the sea shore is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This structure may have inspired Raja Raja chola to construct the big temple at Thanjavurola to build his Brihadeswara in a grandeur scale.
There are three temples in this shore complex, one is dedicated to Lord Shiva, with a broken Lingam, another is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and third one is dedicated to Durga, with the Lion type of sculpture.
15 comments:
Beautiful.. I too completed my blog posts on Mahabalipuram recently.
wow! excellent pics and wonderful description .
wow! wow ! superb:)
wow! wow! superb!
At least something good came out of the Tsunami.
Reminds me of my own trip to Mahabalipuram. :)
Wonderful place, looks quite like the Ajanta caves in Mumbai!
Awesome! place awesome photos...........
@ Rajesh good to know that you too penned on this wonderful Pallavan heritage
Dhiraj, good to have you comment on my blog
@ Geeta, good to see you here on indiabacpacker
@ Purba, Tsunami had churned the sea to expose the vast heritage for a few minutes
@ Jean good to know you too enjoyed Mahabalipuram
@ Dipesh i believe it is more closer to Ellora caves
@ Sridharan good to know that you too uploaded on Mahabalipuram and i remember seeing it
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