Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 |
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 249 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. Barely 58 km from Chennai, this world heritage site in Tamil Nadu gained UNESCO World Heritage site distinction in 1984. The temple town which was a seaport, is believed to be over two thousand years old and has approximately forty monuments including the largest open-air bas-relief in the world. The town is said to have gained prominence under the rule of Mamalla.
The UNESCO World Heritage site distinction has been bestowed on 4 categories of monuments[1]:
- Ratha Temples: Temples in the form of chariots
- Mandapas: Cave sanctuaries covered with bas-reliefs totaling 11 in number. The famous of the Mandapas are the Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Pancha Pandava Cave Temple and the Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple
- Rock relief: This category includes - Descent of the Ganges, the largest open air Rock relief also known as Arjuna's Penance or Bhagiratha's Penance
- Temples: Temples cut out of rock like the famous Shore Temple with its high stepped pyramidal tower and thousands of sculptures dedicated to the glory of Lord Siva
[edit] References
|
|||||||
