This is one of the most important sites in Mamallapuram. This amazing relief, carved sometime in the 7th century. This beautiful work symbolizes "Arjuna's Penance". But another version is that it represents another great story "the Descent of the Ganges".
According to this story, the sage Bhagiratha, offers prayers in extreme conditions in order to bring the river Ganges down to earth.
Bhagiratha is said to have performed austerities so that Ganga might descend to earth and wash over the ashes of his relatives, releasing them from their sins. To break the force of Ganga's fall from heaven to earth, she falls onto Shiva's hair, and is divided into many streams by his tresses.
According to this story, the sage Bhagiratha, offers prayers in extreme conditions in order to bring the river Ganges down to earth.
Bhagiratha is said to have performed austerities so that Ganga might descend to earth and wash over the ashes of his relatives, releasing them from their sins. To break the force of Ganga's fall from heaven to earth, she falls onto Shiva's hair, and is divided into many streams by his tresses.
47 comments:
Beautiful carvings!
Now we know the deeper story!
Thank you
Wishing You a Sweet Week
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Absolutely wonderful. Excellent detail. Very well captured.
Very nice sculptures.
Wonderful sculptures.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Interesting story and carvings. Thanks for sharing your mosaic.
Wow - so amazing and lovely!
Such an amazing relief indeed, Rajesh, and as always your captures are superb! Such wonderful detail! Have a great week!
The relief is fantastic.
Such magnificence and beauty. Truly lovely.
This is a very interesting post with beautiful art pieces!
What incredible carvings!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I always enjoy your posts especially when you explain what the reliefs mean.
These intricate stories are fascinating. Great workmanship in this carvings.
Magnificent stone carvings. They are reminiscent Of Joseph Campbell's writings. Many thanks for sharing.
Cheers ... visiting from Our World Tuesday.
Now, here's something completely different:
http://turningboholano.blogspot.com/2012/08/balut.html
beautiful photos...
thanks
You have such a beautiful country, I should love to go there one day.
It's amazing how well preserved this artifacts are. They still have wonderful detail.
Another wondrous place I remember visiting back in 1977! One of my favourite ever places. Those sculptures are beautiful and the Mallallapuram is beautiful! I remember walking through a temple and coming across an elephant walking by:) Thank you for the reminders. You might like to contribute to Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Bom diaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Lindo, muito lindo!!!!
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Yes, beautiful reliefs. Greetings.
The carvings are magnificent, one might even say 'out of this world' but I enjoyed the story of Ganga's fall from heaven to earth most.
Fantastic carvings and am sure each carving have special meanings and stories.
That is an astounding relief, and so ancient!
That IS amazing!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Fantastic carvings and shots.
D is for...
I am always amazed by the diligent craftsmanship you show us.
I am glad these carvings have survived for so many centuries.
Exposed to sun, rain all 365 days... how long will it last?
Exquisite!
Very interesting and the reliefs are very well sculptured, real beautiful !
This is so beautiful. I love being able to visit other parts of the world through wonderful photos like this. Thank you.
Once again I marvel at the intricate and beautiful carvings and the stories they tell -- I could look at these for hours. And, as well, once again I marvel at what was being accomplished in your country so very long ago!
These carvings are absolutely fantastic. The detail is amazing.
I have gone to Mamallapuram like a gazillion times and yet every visit excites me...
PhenoMenon, ABCW Team
Wonderful capture on the carving! Interesting story
a delightful myth and such detailed carvings
Beautiful photos. The carvings are impressive.
beautiful :)
Hi there - interesting post. An old friend of mine once paddled a canoe down most of the Ganges - and when he completed that he went back to where he started and walked to the source!
I've seen it, but did not see these. More places to visit!
Stewart M - Australia
I am calling by as another ABC Wednesday participant. What a fascinating post about your decent of the Ganges, this meme is proving to be fun and has such a great variety of entries.
Wow!! That is simply amazing!! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you all for appreciating the carvings.
such intricate and delicate carvings
dark night red light
7th century & still so lucid?It is amazing!
Very interesting captures! :)
Amazing Wall Carvings.. :-)
I loved the post very much...
very beautiful carvings :) loved the captures :)
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