Mahabalipuram

Indian Ocean at Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram lies one hour south of Chennai on the Indian Ocean.  The city dates to the 3rd century CE/AD and was a major trading port, as demonstrated by fourth century Chinese and Roman coins in the archaeological record. What makes this site famous is the presence of stone carvings that date as far back as the seventh century CE/AD.

According to the Oracle at Wikipedia, some archaeologists believe that Mahabalipuram housed a sculpture school which explains the large number of artisans required to complete these works.

Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots).  For no discernable reason, these monuments are named after the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharatha.  In addition, there is a monument to their collective wife Draupadi.  Five brothers, one wife.  It's a harem for feminists.  These monuments were carved out of one rock.

Descent of the Ganges/Arjuna's Penance.  I'm not really if there's a difference between these two because the Wikipedia page for Descent of the Ganges is the same as Arjuna's Penance.  According to Hinduism, the holy river descended from the heavens.  Water may have flowed down the sculpture at one point, hence giving it name.  The sculpture is also said to depict Arjuna's penance.  During the Pandava brothers' 13 years in exile, Arjuna performed penance to the gods in order to obtain their weapons of mass destruction. He later used these weapons to kill his cousins who had usurped the throne from Arjuna and his four brothers.  However, proponents of the DOTG name claim that the person in the relief is not Arjuna.

Definitely not Arjuna

Path to the Shore Temple

Shore Temple.  This is believed to be the sole survivor of the Seven Pagodas, seven temples that may have stood in Mahabalipuram. While the Seven Pagodas were considered a myth, when the Indian Ocean waters were pulled back immediately before the 2004 tsunami, onlookers saw several structures where the water once stood.  Subsequent archaeological inquiry has revealed more submerged structures, some of which may be temples.

Souvenir idea: Shore Temple hats

After a hot day hiking in the sun, nothing hits the spot like fresh coconut water straight from the coconut.  After you drink it all, the coconut vendor will chop the husk open so that you may eat the fleshy part.

We're missing pineapple juice and rum, but it's still good

More Mahabalipuram photos in the Expedition Chennai album.