| Sculpture Museum |
| About:The sculpture museum, Mahabalipuram is famous for its elaborate collection of sculptures and images of god and goddesses of Hindu mythology.There are more than 3,000 sculptures can be found in this museum. All the sculptures bear the historic significance and the tales of the by-gone days.In the display of the museum there are sculptures made of wood, metal, brass and cement. There are creations of ancient artists to the contemporary ones.The detailed architecture and the images of god and goddess depict the bounty of the Gupta Empire.Mahabalipuram is the seat of culture and sculpture. Not only Hindu mythology but the Buddhists sculptures and images too, exist in the temple town. The monolithic statues, the Rathas , sculptured relief and their miniature can be seen in the museum.The Sculpture museum of Mahabalipuram is located in the East Raja Street and it is well accessible by all modes of transport. Local tour packages offer trips to the Sculpture Museum in Mahabalipuram.Mahabalipuram being the seat of culture and sculpture, it is no wonder this museum provides a mirror of the grand designs that emerged during the times of the ancient rulers. The detailed architecture and the images of Gods and Goddesses depict the bounty of the Gupta Empire. Not only Hindu mythology but the Buddhists sculptures and images too, exist in the temple town. The monolithic statues, the Rathas (chariots), sculptured relief and their miniature can be seen in the museum. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Sculpture museum ,Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu |
| District: Kanchipuram |
| Nearest City: Kanchipuram |
| Best time to visit: October to March |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The Climate throughout the year is moderate. The variation between maximum and minimum temperature is not much. Though summer is hot,occasional rainfalls and water stagnation in the wet fields due to irrigating channels of Cauvery give much relief from sweltering heat. |
| History: |
Mahabalipuram is one of history’s intriguing enigmas. The ancient Mamallapuram, as Mahabalipuram was formerly known, was flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of south India who chiseled in stone a fabulous “open-air museum” of sculpture under the vault of a burning sky. Apart from this, nothing is known of the place. What was the purpose behind this whole exercise, and, more important, why all the royal patronage this place enjoyed suddenly disappeared, no one actually has any answer. Staying at Mahabalipuram Resorts is an unique way of experiencing its history.
Experts say that there were seven pagodas or temples on the shores of Mahabalipuram. All but one were pillaged by the rapacious sea, though there is little underwater evidence to substantiate their existence.
Most of the temples and rock carvings of this place were built during the reigns of Narsinha Varman I (AD 630-668) and Narsinha Varman II (AD 700-728). Though the initial kings of Pallava dynasty were followers of Jainism, the conversion of Mahendra Varman (AD 600-630) to Shaivism led most of the monuments to be related with Shiva or Vishnu.
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| Interesting places to Visit: |
| The Shrines In The Shore Temple:There are three shrines in the Shore Temple. That facing the sea and another facing west into the township are Saiva. The one between is Vaishnava, with an image of Lord Anantasayi made of live rock. There are Vimanas over the Saiva (also spelt as Shaiv or Shaiva) shrines, but none over the third; it seems to have disappeared with time. There are Somaskanda reliefs on the walls of the Saiva shrine. In front of the eastern shrine there is a stone dhvajastambha, frequently under the waves. The light that shone on it at night must have been the last sight of home for thousands of Pallava citizens immigrating to South East Asia.Temple Of Sthalasayana Perumal:Immediately to the north of the bigger hill there is the temple of Sthalasayana Perumal, much enlarged in Vijayanagar times. By the very margin of the sea, with the waves often flowing at its foot, there is a magnificent fane with three shrines in an axial line, called the “Shore Temple”. To the west of the five Rathas there are three more rathas, two side by side. About 600 m north of Mahabalipuram, along the coast, is Saluvankuppam, where there are magnificent excavated temples and, near it, a rock Mandapa with tiger heads along its periphery, called the “Tigers Cave”. Between Saluvankuppam and Mahabalipuram, less than 200m from the sea, stands another structural temple, the Mukunda Nayanar.The Depictions Of Arjuna’s Penance: There have been strong differences of opinion among eminent scholars on what this scene depicts. An old view was that it represents Bhagiratha’s penance. But the opinion that currently holds the field is that it depicts Arjuna’s Penance. This “Mahabharatha” incident, also represented in both mural and relief in Lepakshi and a number of other sites, relates to Arjuna’s obtaining a weapon to use in the impending war against the Kauravas. Bharavi, the Sanskrit dramatist, who, it is believed, was living in Kanchipuram in the seventh century, when this masterpiece was made, has made it his theme in his “Kiratarjuniyam”. The Pallava court in that century was a nest of singing birds. It is highly probable that it is this scene, which is depicted here. The main scene of action is on the southern face. Here an ascetic is performing severe penance, standing on one leg. Near him is Lord Shiva, with His attendants. Immediately below them there is a small shrine with a relief of Lord Vishnu inside. By its side are many seated sages in meditation. |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Chengalpattu (29-km) and Chennai (58-km). |
| Nearest Airport:Chennai (58-km) |
| Road Transport:Buses are available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram daily. The road to Mahabalipuram is good. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| Thanjavur:Thanjavur District is the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. Thanjavur was the cultural capital of the country in 1790. Thanjavur gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings, who made it as their capital. Thereafter, it was ruled by Nayaks and Maratta Kings, who nurtured art and culture. The cultural, the architectural and the scholarly pursuits of these rulers are reflected in the great monuments like Grand Anaicut, Big Temple and Serfoji Mahal Library etc. in the district |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Mahabalipuram |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Grt Temple Bay
Temple Bay, Kovalam Road, Mahabalipuram, 603104
Ideal Beach Resort
Beach Rd, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 603 104- 044 27442240
Quality Inn Mgm Beach Resort
1 74 New Mahabalipuram Rd, Mamallapuram, 603112- 044 27472435Mamalla Beach Resort
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu- 044 27442375 |
| Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:Kalpakkam Township, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu- 044 27481143 |
Nearest Hospital:Saradeep Hospital
No. 15, Thirukulan Street, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104- 044 27242335
Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Hospital
1, Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil nadu 600116- 044 24768027
Life Line Hospital
No. 5/639, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Perungudi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600096- 044 42454545 |
