Places
to See
CAVES Among the nine rock-cut cave temples, the Krishna cave is notable
for its realistic portrayal. In the Mahishasuramardhini cave, on one side is
a magnificent bas-relief of Lord Vishnu in his cosmic sleep (Ananthasayanam)
and in contrast on the other side is Goddess Durga (Kali) fighting a buffalo-headed
demon.
THE SHORE TEMPLE The oldest temple, surviving the ravages of time, sea,
wind, and sun contrains twin structural shrines and is magnificently located
on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Mamallapuram is also a well-known beach resorts
in India.
ARJUNA'S PENANCE One of the world's largest and finest stone bas-relief,
depicting Arjuna's penance, is another pride of Mamallapuram. This huge whale-back
-shaped rock faces the sea, and is split with a fissure in the middle. On either
side are gods, demi-gods, men, beasts, and birds-earthly and supernatural beings.
FIVE RATHAS To the south of the hillock holding the cave temples, are
the five monolithic rathas(chariots), each chiselled out of a single rock, and
known as Pancha Pandava Rathas. Each of the rathas is considered to be a prototype
in the evolution f Dravidian temple architecture.
CROCODILE BANK Not far from mamallapuram, this crocodile breeding and
research centre is run by Chennai Crocodile Bank Trust. Here, several species
of Indian and Continental crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity.
These reptiles are kept in their natural habitat in open pools and can be viewed
from a safe proximity. This farm breeds crocodiles to augment the crocodile
population of wildlife sanctuaries.
THIRUKKALUKUNDRAM This tourist spot has a small Shiva temple situated
on top of the Vedagiri hill which is 160m high. Just before noon every day,
two white kites stop at the temple and are fed by the temple priests.
Legend has it that these two birds are actually saints who make a stop to rest
at the temple on their flight between Varanasi and Rameswaram. There is also
a larger Shiva temple in the town below.
At the south-east end of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to
possess curative powers. Once in every twelve years, a conch 'floats in this
tank and thousands of devotees flock to bathe in the tank at this auspicious
time.
A collection of the conches is displayed in the larger Shiva temple.
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