| Places around Mahabalipuram |
| Rathas |
| The Rathas are five in number and they are combined called as Pancha Pandava Rathas. Out of Pancha Pandava Rathas four are carved out of a single rock, while the fifth is scooped out from a small rock on the west. |
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| Pancha Pandava Rathas, fine rock temples are located in a sandy compound and are the perfect examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. The five rathas are (i) Draupadi's Ratha, (ii) Arjuna's Rath, (iii) Nakul - Sahadev's Rath, (iv) Bhima Rath and (v) Dharamraja Yudhistar's Rath. |
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| Shore Temple |
| Shore temple one of the oldest of the south Indian Temples structural temples in the nature Dravidian style. Shore temple was constructed during the 7th century. Narasimha Varman II, (Rajasimha) completed the skilled work later in his rule. Seven magnificent temples known as the Sevan Pagodas, built near the sea shore was the belief and the lonely survivor is the shore temples. The temple is full of designs made by carvings. |
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| Three temples two of them dedicated to lord Shiva, facing east and west and other one dedicated to lord Vishnu. Beautifully carved twin Dwarka Palaks (gate keepers) at the entrance of the east facing Shiva Temples are the master piece in sculptures. The marvelous sculptures of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu with their better halves are present temple inside. Sculptures of Somaskanda - lord Shiva with his better half, Parvati, and his sons, Skanda and Ganesha are found on the wall. The sculptures of Narasimha and Goddess Durgha can also be seen apart from Lord Shiva's sculpture. |
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| In the form of a rectangle is the central shrine. Magnificent statue of sleeping Vishnu, Sthala Shayana Perumal or Ananthasayana Vishnu reclines on the floor listening silently the sounds of names. In segments the figure of Vishnu is found, are to be looked through various doors. The lion has a small cut, a square shaped cut in its belly. A Huge rock near by the temple has been the target of the waves to touch it from the ancient days. There is also a carving of a buffalo demon running with a stick in his hand, located in the northern side. The temple looks beautiful due to the lights during evenings. |
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| The Ganesh Rath |
| The Ganesh Rath completed sculpture of the fine Rathas. Resembling the Arjuna Penance, Ganesh Rath lies west to the Bhim Rath. It is a shrine of Ganesha but was earlier dedicated to lord Shiva. Pidari Rathas, two Raths lie side by side on the way to Tirukkalakundram. |
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| The Mahishashuramardini Cave |
| There are 10 cave temples; out of the all the most beautiful is the Mahishashuramardini cave (mid-7th century). The Mahishashuramardini Cave has fine bas-reliefs on its panels of enduring beauty. On one side of which is Lord Vishnu in a sleeping posture and on the other side of which shows the Goddess Durga killing a demon. |
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| The Somaskand a sculpture radiates peace, power, and wisdom while Lord Vishnu is shown in omniscient repose in a masterpiece of 'Dhwani' (the art of suggestion). On the opposite side is a huge theatrical panel showing Goddess Durga's fight with the demon Mahishasura, an episode culled from the celebrated Sanskrit poem Devi Mahatmya. |
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| The Tiger Cave |
| The Tiger cave is located 5-km towards north of the main monument, which was once used, as the venue for cultural shows and performances exclusively for the royal family. |
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| The Varaha Cave |
| A small rock-cut mandapam (hall) portrays the twoAvatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu as Vishnu Varaha (boar) and VishnuVamana (dwarf). Particularly noteworthy here are four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers, a mood of contemplative reverie, a lyrical softness and subtle grace totally at variance with the primordial machismo their role as guards of the gods imposes on them. The Dharmaraja cave, built in the early 7th century, contains three empty shrines. |
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