India
Chennai / Attractions in and around Chennai / The Shore Temple
Get away to
Mamallapuram, a historical retreat set amidst natural beauty.
Lying 58 km south of Chennai, these ancient seaports of the Pallava
dynasty invites connoisseurs of art. Its monuments hewn out of
solid rock, though ravaged by the sea wind, still bear testimony
to the magnificent heritage of Cravidian architecture. The shore
Temple, one of the oldest in South India, stands on the sea shore
with its paved forescourt. An Immense bas-releif, 27 m long and
8 m high, intricately carved, depicts Arjuna's Penance. Early rock-cut
temples excavated from the hillside have large panels depicting
stories from Indian mythology. The carvings in the Mahishasuramardini
cave, which show the goddess Durga killing a demon and Lord Vishnu
in his cosmic slumber (anathasayanam), are particularly remarkable.
Sri Krishna's Mandapam where a sculpred panel depicts pastoral
life and the lifting of the Govardhan hillock. Yet another
marvel of sculptural excellence are the Five Rathas, referred
to as the Pancha Pandava Rathas. The Government
College of Architecture and Sculpture offers intensive training
isn the various branches of temple art the architecture. The creations
of the budding craftsmen are on display. Beside being
an open air museum of ancients Pallava art architecture, Mamallapuram
has the added lure of a beautiful beach and fine resorts.
In fact, no psychiatric syndrome seems to worsen with these agents, and
few studies fail to demonstrate clinical improvement in some patients,
regardless of any nosologic nicety, such as precise DSM diagnosis.
http://www.asiatour.com/india/e-16chen/ei-che14_b.htm
Jan Garanoz
Juhu Tara Road, Juhu,
Mumbai - 400049 India
Last updated: May 9, 2010