Two impressive carved monolithic rock relief boulders
29.12.2017 - 29.12.2017
Day 8 Māmallapuram / Mahabalipuram
Up early and from the top of Hotel Mamalla Inn roof top pool, looked out over the surrounding area with the lighthouse in the back ground.
Off at 8.30am / 08:30 for a brief 30 minute orientation of Māmallapuram / Mahabalipuram.
Nina Sophie Carol
Nina Sophie
Then free time today to explore so after the brief orientation went back to the area around the Arjuna’s Penance and captured the atmosphere and colourful scenes of the people dressed in their red while the morning light was still with me.
Arjuna’s Penance is one of the magnificent monuments of Mahabalipuram. This wonderful bas air relief dates back to the mid-seventh century. Standing tall at a height of 43 feet, the monolith was carved on the face of two huge adjoining boulders, making its length around 96 feet. The majestic structure cannot be made out in photographs, it deserves to be praised by one’s own eyes. The subject of the massive structure is either Arjuna's Penance or the Descent of the Ganges, or possibly both. Historians and experts of archeology have never settled on one account as there are not sufficient sources or records.
https://www.tourism-of-india.com/arjunas-penance-mahabalipuram.html
http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/mamallapuram/ap01.html
Kolam
Just loved the kolam which is a South Indian style of painting using rice flour in front of their houses.
Kolam is a form of drawing that is drawn by using rice flour / chalk / chalk powder / rock powder often using naturally/synthetically colored powders in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and some parts of Goa, Maharashtra, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries.
A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots.
In South India, it is widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses.
More complex Kolams are drawn and colors are often added during holiday occasions and special events. Thanks Mr Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolam
Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple
Inside the Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple and joined the throngs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirukadalmallai
Then breakfast at the Nameste Restaurant. Best so far with the muesli, fruit, curd 100 rupees / NZ$2.10 / US$1.60 followed by the hearty American breakfast 180 rupees / NZ$3.80 / US$2.80.
Passing the many shops with the tailors outside seeking clients to take their measurements and within the day whip up shirts and pants, sandal makers doing the same plus stone carvers chipping away at their craft.
Down to the beach with the cooling sea breeze, cows relaxing and wandered to the end of the beach to find a hole in the fence. Realised that I had come out inside the Shore Temple which we are to visit tomorrow.
Shore Temple
This impressive group of monuments were sculpted during the 7th and 8th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of these, the Shore Temple stands out for it’s a marvellous view of the Bay of Bengal's shore. Made of granite it's actually a twin-temple dedicated both to the Hindu gods, Vishnu and Shiva.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shore_Temple
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/shore-temple.html
Mahabalipuram Beach
Passing the many stalls followed the sea of “red and yellow” and descended the sandy path to the water edge by Mahabalipuram beach. Some braved the water but most stayed beach side.
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Standing like a beckon, of course the lighthouse beckoned me. After paying the 20 rupees / NZ$.040 / US$0.30 for me and 25 rupees / NZ$0.45 / US$0.40 for my camera, climbed the steep tiny steps. Crowd control was kind of in place as small groups were allowed outside to walk around taking in the views of the surrounding countryside. Wish that I was a smaller person like the Indians are.
(PS I read this after the trip while writing the blog ….
If the light-house is crowded and if you see anyone standing on the steps when you enter, it is better to skip and not buy the ticket, as it takes a long time for limited batch of people (10-15 are allowed at a time) to climb the last stretch that has very narrow wooden steps. These steps (around 15) at last are very step and only one person can climb at a time. It may not be a good idea to try to climb this if you are over 50 years of age.
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/mahabalipuram-lighthouse.html
Hint – While I didn’t, perhaps climb the neighbouring Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa for a similar but slightly lower view.
By now it was after 1pm and the afternoon sun and humidity was kicking in.
Perhaps I should have gone out to see the orange sunset or wandered down to the beach to see the people but didn't.
Dinner at 7am / 19:00 at Gecko Restaurant. It was either Grandma fish special dish or have their sea food platter. Chose the platter and perhaps it should have been Grandma fish dish. Yes, I was disappointed for what I got on my platter for 580 rupees / NZ$12.20 / US$9.00. Toss in a Kingfisher beer 300 rupees / NZ$6.30 / US$4.65 and chai 80 rupees / NZ$1.70 / US$1.25 came in total to 960 rupees / NZ$20.20 / US$14.90.
Posted by bruceontour 00:19 Archived in India
