It is distinguished by its Shore Temple image and a variety of stone sculptures in southern India that cheer up every child or adult. This children’s journey through the ancient city of Mahabalipuram takes young readers on an inspiring journey through amazing architecture and history, plunging them into stories etched in stone and the throbbing life of this historical town.
As one enters the premises of Mahabalipuram, the Shore Temple captures the eye with its grandiose standing against the limitless sea. This 8th-century temple happens to be one of the oldest stone temples in South India. Constructed under the patronage of Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, this temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The intricate carvings on the temple walls narrate stories from Hindu mythology, where figures of gods, goddesses, and various mythological beings spring to life in the stone. Not missing the rhythmic sound of the waves of the sea against the shore, this mystique of an ancient structure, a magic atmosphere, beckons us back in time.
Not very far from here lies a group of monolithic rock-cut temples known as the Five Rathas. These temples, all carved from single granite blocks and shaped ‘chariot’ or ‘ratha’, take their name from the five Pandavas, heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Each ratha is differently designed and dedicated to various gods. Thereupon stands the biggest of the five, the Dharmaraja Ratha, with its three tiers, wherein are sculpted many gods and goddesses. The Bhima Ratha, of simple yet imposing structure, and the delicate carvings of the Arjuna Ratha each tell their own story. This is completed with the Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha and the Draupadi Ratha—these five, constituting this remarkable ensemble, bear the kudos of mastery left upon the rocks by Pallava sculptors.
We stroll further ahead and find the large open-air bas-relief known as Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganges. This magnificent sculpture, covering two large boulders, has intricately carved in it one scene from Hindu mythology that depicts Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performing penance to attain a powerful weapon from Lord Shiva. The story is intricately carved in its totality, with all aspects of the story represented in exquisite detail and expression: the descent of the river Ganges from heaven, a myriad of gods and celestial beings, and animals. In this great artwork, children can easily spend hours spotting the various characters and unraveling the stories.
Not very far from here, we have another piece of excellence: the Krishna Mandapam, a rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. On the walls of this mandapam, interesting carvings depict vividly the story of Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to save the villagers from the storm sent by god Indra. The imaginatively playful yet strong picture of Krishna and the expression of the villagers and the animals attract the viewer’s attention and come alive with this ancient legend.
We have now come across a jewel among Pallava architectural gems—Varaha Cave Temple. This is a cave temple with Lord Vishnu enshrined in his Varaha incarnation. It is represented on the main panel inside this cave, where Varaha is raising Earth goddess Bhudevi from under the ocean as he rescues her from the clutches of demon Hiranyaksha. This grace and strength of Varaha have been very aesthetically portrayed in stone, with intricate carvings on the cave walls of other deities and mythical creatures.
One of the interesting places in Mahabalipuram is this large boulder called Krishna’s Butterball. A huge rock tapers to rest on a small slope, balancing against gravity and raising questions in every viewer’s mind. The legend says that it is a dollop of butter, which child Krishna was fond of pilfering. Children were amazed by this natural wonder and tried to push the rock, but soon realized that it was not possible to move it.
We go further down and find numerous other rock-cut temples, caves, and sculptures that are scattered all over Mahabalipuram. Every single structure has a story and its own significance, enough to give us a peek into the rich cultural and religious heritage of this place. The Lion Throne, Ganesha Ratha, Mahishasuramardini Cave, and numerous other shrines and sculptures in this ancient city make it a treasure trove of history and art.
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One also gets exposed to the skilled craftsmen responsible for these masterpieces while walking through Mahabalipuram. Pallava sculptors were unparalleled stone carvers whose tradition continues to live through the culture of the town. Even now, one will find so many such craftsmen residing within Mahabalipuram, carrying on that very culture of stone carving and coming up with exquisite sculptures admired by people all over the world.
Our journey through Mahabalipuram comes to an end, and we open our eyes to the artistic excellence and historical flavor of this ancient town. The Shore Temple and the stone sculptures are not only representatives of the architectural and artistic works of the Pallavas but also showcase the richness of Indian culture. For young readers, Mahabalipuram offers an interesting trip into the past, where stories come alive in stone and history is etched in every nook and cranny of this wonderful town.
The end of our journey through Mahabalipuram is bound to leave us in awe of the creativity and dedication that have gone into building this historical marvel. In the eyes of the child, one discovers the astonishment and magic of Mahabalipuram—of times gone by merging effortlessly into the present day—thus giving an experience timeless in character, tantalizing visitors across all age brackets.
