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.
Beautiful carvings!
ReplyDeleteNow we know the deeper story!
ReplyDeleteThank you
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Absolutely wonderful. Excellent detail. Very well captured.
ReplyDeleteVery nice sculptures.
ReplyDeleteWonderful sculptures.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Interesting story and carvings. Thanks for sharing your mosaic.
ReplyDeleteWow - so amazing and lovely!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing relief indeed, Rajesh, and as always your captures are superb! Such wonderful detail! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThe relief is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSuch magnificence and beauty. Truly lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post with beautiful art pieces!
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible carvings!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts especially when you explain what the reliefs mean.
ReplyDeleteThese intricate stories are fascinating. Great workmanship in this carvings.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent stone carvings. They are reminiscent Of Joseph Campbell's writings. Many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers ... visiting from Our World Tuesday.
Now, here's something completely different:
http://turningboholano.blogspot.com/2012/08/balut.html
beautiful photos...
ReplyDeletethanks
You have such a beautiful country, I should love to go there one day.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how well preserved this artifacts are. They still have wonderful detail.
ReplyDeleteAnother 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:)
ReplyDeleteBom diaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
ReplyDeleteLindo, muito lindo!!!!
✿⊱╮¸.•♫°`♡彡
Yes, beautiful reliefs. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteFantastic carvings and am sure each carving have special meanings and stories.
ReplyDeleteThat is an astounding relief, and so ancient!
ReplyDeleteThat IS amazing!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Fantastic carvings and shots.
ReplyDeleteD is for...
I am always amazed by the diligent craftsmanship you show us.
ReplyDeleteI am glad these carvings have survived for so many centuries.
Exposed to sun, rain all 365 days... how long will it last?
ReplyDeleteExquisite!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and the reliefs are very well sculptured, real beautiful !
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I love being able to visit other parts of the world through wonderful photos like this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOnce 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!
ReplyDeleteThese carvings are absolutely fantastic. The detail is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have gone to Mamallapuram like a gazillion times and yet every visit excites me...
ReplyDeletePhenoMenon, ABCW Team
Wonderful capture on the carving! Interesting story
ReplyDeletea delightful myth and such detailed carvings
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. The carvings are impressive.
ReplyDeletebeautiful :)
ReplyDeleteHi 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!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteWow!! That is simply amazing!! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for appreciating the carvings.
ReplyDeletesuch intricate and delicate carvings
ReplyDeletedark night red light
7th century & still so lucid?It is amazing!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting captures! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing Wall Carvings.. :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved the post very much...
very beautiful carvings :) loved the captures :)
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