In this old realm of the proud Pallavas, I roamed at will,
struck by the grandeur of their architecture, I was amazed beyond thrill.
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| Shore Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built during the reign of Narasimha Varma II (8th Century CE) |
Great boulders and rocks were cut and the Five Chariots linked myth with reality,
An Elephant here and a Lion there, all in sync with the imperial royalty.
Out of hard granite stone, monuments were made and molded by sheer skill and grit,
and for centuries, people were amazed at this wonderful fit.
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| Mahisha Mardini Relief inside Mahishasura Mardini Rock cut Mandapam (c.mid 8th Century CE) |
A temple on the Sea shore that survived the Great Tsunami -
Inspired work by Sthapatis that made the fiercest summer balmy.
Trimurthy, Varaha, Tiger - all cave temples of marvel and magnificience,
And Krishna's Butter Ball - naturally formed thence.
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| "Arjuna's Penance/Descent of the Ganges" |
The Descent of the Ganges - an unmatched canvas of rock art,
Or is it Arjuna's Penance - a terrific work of sort?
As scholars debate, we common folk watch with admiration -
this town of Seven Pagodas - a fine, divine yet mundane creation.
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| Adi Varaha Panel inside Varaha Rock cut temple depicting Lord Vishnu as Varaha saving Bhu Devi |
As I've left the place of the legendary 'Mamalla' via the East Coast Road,
I've felt progressively impressed of this heritage abode!
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| Me at the Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots, c.'Mahamalla' Narasimha Varma I) |
Wednesday, 3rd of April, 2019.
Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram (Kancheepuram), Tamil Nadu.
