Mahabalipuram: Learn About The Hub Of Architecture

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu known for its exquisite Mahabalipuram architecture. The architectural marvels of Mahabalipuram reflect the artistic brilliance of the Pallava dynasty that ruled the region during the 7th and 8th centuries. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to various architectural wonders, including rock cut temple mahabalipuram, monolithic structures, cave temples, and intricate stone carvings. The Shore Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a prominent attraction with its stunning coastal location and remarkable stone carvings. The Five Rathas, or chariots, showcase monolithic rock-cut sculptures resembling different architectural styles. The intricate details, precision, and grandeur of the Mahabalipuram architecture continue to captivate visitors worldwide, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient India.

The Mahabalipuram is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination. It comprises part of UPSC mains General Studies paper-1 and UPSC prelims.

In this article, we shall study Mahabalipuram architecture and its important monuments in detail.

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, so the India-China informal summit takes place at Mahabalipuram.

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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, documented in stones and inscriptions, dates from the sixth to the eighth centuries.
• Before 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 a few Vaishnava shrines were also established.
• Mahabalipuram architecture was also a pilgrimage site, and Saint Thirumangai Alvar composed songs in honour of it.
• According to Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller from the 7th century AD, this location was the Pallavas' sea port.
• 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.
• Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram, after Narasimhavarman I, also known as Mamalla.
• In 642 AD, he conquered and murdered the Chalukyan King Pulakesin II and sacked 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.
• An ardent antiquarian, Colin Mackenzie excavated some of the monuments out of the sand and sent assistants to gather their traditions and coins.
• Thus, Mahabalipuram became one of India's most essential historical archaeological sites.

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 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 a Pallava king who travelled to China in 527 AD and lived there.
• A Pallava prince named Bodhidharma reportedly 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 visited Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Far Eastern countries.
• 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 Mahabalipuram architecture. It is a beautiful example of Dravidian culture and the Tamil people’s ancient civilization.
• This is where temple architecture began, which is a distinct aspect of Tamil culture.
• Cave temples, Carved monoliths, Sculptured sceneries or Bas reliefs, and Masonry temples are the four forms of sculptures found in India. All four types can be found here.
• A closed wall surrounds the Dravida-style temples.
• On the front side, there is a “gopuram,” which is a gateway.
• The main temple tower, “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.
• This is because as the population grows and more people 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 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 monuments represent early Dravidian Mahabalipuram architecture and have incorporated Buddhist architectural aspects into their designs. In 1984, it was designated as a World Heritage site. It has major and minor monuments. 

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 is one of the important Mahabalipuram. 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

(Shore temple)

Pancha Rathas

• Five Rathas are monoliths, 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.
• 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 area's beauty.
• 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 it was never completed due to the death of Pallava King Narsimhavaramn I.
• As a result, despite its appearance, it is not considered a temple.

(Pancha Rathas)

Descent of the Ganges

• The world’s largest Bas Relief, carved by Maandhaatar in the 7th century AD, measures 25 meters in length and 12 meters in height and is recognized as the world’s largest sculpture.
• Bas relief is a work of art that is sculpted, carved, or molded 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 a trident, axe, and cobra wrapped around his neck, Siva is depicted.
• 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, and 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.

(Descent of the Ganges)

Other Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Olakkannesvara Temple

• The Olakkannesvara Temple is Mahabalipuram temple. It is 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, where 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, 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.
• Occasionally, people make the mistake of calling this shrine the “Mahishasura Temple.”

Varaha Cave Temple

• Varaha Cave Temple is a Mahabalipuram temple. It is carved out of the rock at Mahabalipuram.
• It is also known as Adi Varaha Cave Temple, 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.
• This rock-cut temple is one of the best examples of the old Vishwakarma Sthapathis.
• 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.

(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 were devoted to Lord Vishnu, and the temple protects the sculptures from the sea.
• According to legend, the remaining structure was kept once this temple was built and did not corrode by the water.
• It was constructed as a free-standing temple rather than a rock-cut temple.

Thirukadalmallai

Krishna Mandapam

• It is important Mahabalipuram Temple.
• 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.
• This is the best depiction of the Govardhana scenario in India.

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

• It is important Mahabalipuram 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.
• 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.

Old Light House

The cave temple, built by Parameswaravarman, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple's upper level served as a lighthouse, as it was the tallest structure in the town. Within the temple complex, there is also a masonry temple called Olakkanatha Temple, which dates back to the time of Rajasimha.

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 situated near Mahabalipuram. Its name comes from the tiger head carvings on a cave’s entrance that is a part of the complex. The Pallavas build it in the eighth century AD.
• Adi Varaha Mandapam: Varaha Cave Temple is a rock-cut cave temple in Mamallapuram. It is a piece of the hilltop town close to the Shore Temple and Rathas. It is a piece of late seventh-century Indian rock-cut Mahabalipuram architecture. The temple is one of the finest examples of ancient Hindu rock-cut cave architecture out of numerous such mahabalipuram caves, also known as mandapas.
• The Ganesha Ratha 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.

Mahabalipuram in Today’s Age

• It is a World Heritage site. It represents early Dravidian Mahabalipuram architecture along with Buddhist architectural aspects in their designs.
• The Mahabalipuram area is attempting to establish itself as the nation's top beach destination while 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 developed into a significant center of art, Mahabalipuram 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. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.