Monday, October 10, 2011

Mahishasuramardini Cave, Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is famous for finely carved rock cut shrines. Adjacent to the hill on which there is a lighthouse, there is a superb rock-cut shrine of Mahishasuramardini Mandapa.

This is a 7th century cave temple where front part adorned with four columns.
There are two impressive friezes one at each end of the long veranda.

On the panel in the right, Goddess Durga seated astride on her lion wielding an assortment of weapons. She is slaying a buffalo-headed demon, Mahisha, who disturbs the delicate balance of life. Goddess is accompanied by eight ganas, where as Mahisa with his army of seven demons is retreating. Hence, the name Mahish-asura-mardini meaning ‘destroyer of demon’.


At the opposite end of the veranda, Lord Vishnu is lying under the protective hood of the seven-headed serpent Adishesha in the sea of eternity. Below Vishnu there is Bhu-devi, Mother Earth. Above and below the God are shown four flying ayudh-purushas - divine weapons of Lord.

53 comments:

Teamgsquare said...

Nice and interesting carvings .

SandyCarlson said...

Life is beautiful. This truth is as old as time itself. Your images assure me of that.

Aakash Kokz said...

Loved those carvings in the last two pics ... Beautiful!

Zuzana said...

These carvings are amazing, but even more interesting is your title.;) All words start with M and seems impossible for me to pronounce.;))
xoxo

Kay L. Davies said...

Always fascinating, Rajesh, a glimpse into your world.
Thank you!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Luna Miranda said...

very interesting frescoes. they certainly tell stories.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Interesting place......and very close to where I stay presently.

joo said...

Another gorgeous place!

Jeevan said...

Wonderful capture! I quite forget how this place looked then. Thanks for the post rajesh.

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful and interesting post as always, Rajesh, as well as superb captures! Always delightful to visit your world each week! Enjoy!

Sylvia

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm very impressed with the friezes, for sure! They are still in such great shape after all these centuries!

Tina´s PicStory said...

nice shadow shots from your world :)

Carver said...

I am always amazed by the artistry of the temples you show us.

Unknown said...

I never tire of the incredible carving!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

eileeninmd said...

Amazing carvings, Rajesh! India must have the most beautiful temples and shrines. Thanks for shring your world.

Lowell said...

Beautiful carvings as in so many Indian temples. I'm wondering how you pronounce some of the words, like "Mahishasuramardini," and "Mahabalipuram." I think such words are above my grade level! :-)

Arija said...

A most impressive cave temple. The first frieze is very well preserved and also very beautiful.

Al said...

Awesome carvings and excellent photos of them. It's hard to imagine how long they've been there!

DeniseinVA said...

This temple is truly magnificent, thank you for sharing it with us.

Indrani said...

Great captures Rajesh, love this revisit.

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous old carvings!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I never tire of seeing these beautiful carvings. Lord Vishnu looks to be very well protected under that serpent!

magiceye said...

wonderful work!

LifeRamblings said...

the carvings are exquisite. thanks for sharing.

Red Nomad OZ said...

To be able to visit something so well preserved from the 7th century is AMAZING to me downunder in OZ ... You're very lucky!!

anthonynorth said...

That looks a marvellous place.

Nanka said...

Amazing how the sculptures vary from place to place and in different eras too!!

Roger Owen Green said...

love the effect the friezes create.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

MaR said...

Mesmerizing as always!!
<a href="http://maremag.blogspot.com/2011/10/m-is-for-mermaid.html>M is for...</a>

Kim, USA said...

Very interesting place Rajesh.

ABC Wed-M

Scriptor Senex said...

What a lot of Ms you found! It's interesting learning about your part of the world, thank you.

Kay L. Davies said...

Lots of the letter M, Rajesh, but impossible for a mere Canadian to pronounce!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

always marvel the work of the artisans.

Reader Wil said...

I think Hinduism is full of legends and symbolism. There are so many gods and goddesses.
Your temples are very beautiful! Thanks for showing.

NatureFootstep said...

nice artwork.

Hazel said...

I haven't been to a cave temple in a while. They're good when you are boiling alive outside in the sun. Love the sculptures here.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

So complex and exotic. Beautiful art.

Eden said...

Wow, impressive! Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

u ve portrayed them beautifully rajesh...nice

George said...

Thank you for sharing this fascinating temple with us. The rock carvings are indeed intricate and detailed.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I am in awe of the beauty. And of the words '7th century'. Incredible. I can never get over the impressive man-made structures from so long ago.

Roberto Machado Alves said...

I really want to know India. Indian culture is fascinating.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all. I am glad you all likee this carvings.

RIZALENIO said...

Awesome masterpiece.

Rajesh said...

Fantastic shots of moon. Very cool.

sappy said...

Mahishasuramardini of Mahabalipuram is truly magnificent.Yours is a nice photography.

Padmapriya TS said...

I never tire of watching the beauties from Mamallapuram....beautifully picturised and described!!

Thanks so much
Priya
http://aalayamkanden.blogpsot.com

abhinavr said...

Nice photos of Mahabalipuram. You have a good collection

Kajal said...

Beautiful pictures.. abs love them. I have a very very ver faint memories of visiting here as a kid.


Glad I found you at Indiblogger. Your newest follower and a regular reader now.
cheers,
Kajal

Deepa Gopal said...

Beautiful carvings... mahishasuramardhini one is lovely.

Jen..The Butterfly Effect said...

Carvings are so damn gorgeous right! Still amazes me how our stone agers might've done that! :O

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar said...

Lovely! Thanks for the virtual tour - I've always wanted to see Mahabalipuram.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all. I am glad you all liked these carvings.