सोमवार, 16 सितंबर 2013

Mahabalipuram Sculptures In India

Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram is as old as the Pallava dynasty in the 7th-9th century in Tamil Nadu. A majority of the structures at Mahabalipuram are straightaway carved out of granite. The sculptures here are one of the oldest examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture that have survived till date. It is also declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Because of the number of sculptural wonders at Mahabalipuram, it is known as an open air museum as well. Mahabalipuram is a collection of sanctuaries that were founded by the Pallava kings. These sanctuaries were carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast. Mahabalipuram is especially celebrated for its mandapas (cave sanctuaries), rathas (temples in the shape of chariots), colossal open-air reliefs like s the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, along with scores of sculptures giving glory to Lord Shiva. Mahabalipuram sculptures in India exhibit the rich variety of sculptural beauty spread all through the country.

Sculptures of Mahabalipuram
Here are the Mahabalipuram sculptures in India. Check them out.

Ratha Temples
Ratha temples are the monolithic erections that are cut into the residual blocks of diorite that came out from the sand. These temples, as mentioned above are in form of the processional chariots. The five rathas of the south India, which are the most renowned, date back to the sovereignty of Naharasimhavarman Mamalla, the great Pallava king.

Mandapas
Rock sanctuaries are known as mandalas as well. They are modeled in form of rooms that are enveloped with bas-reliefs. The mandapa of Varaha, mirrors the works of this incarnation of Vishnu; the mandapa of Mahishasuramardini, the mandapa of the Pandavas and the mandapa of Krishna are notable.

Descent of the Ganges
A well-liked episode in the iconography of Siva is depicted by the rock reliefs in the open air. This illustration is that of the Descent of the Ganges. According to the legends, the prudent king Baghiratha requested him to do so, thus, Siva commanded the Ganges to tumble down to Earth and to nurture the earth. The sculptors have made use of the natural cleft and have divided the cliff to put forward this celestial event which is witnessed by a teeming crowd of gods, goddesses, mythological beings such as Gandherya, Kinnara, Gana, Apsara, Naga and Nagini, along with wild and domestic animals.

Temple of Rivage
This temple is devoted to the glory of Shiva. This is built from the cut stone. It was built during the reign of King Rajasimha Narasimavarmn II with its high-stepped tower resembling a pyramid along with a great number of sculptures all dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Monolithic Rathas
Monolithic rathas depict an assortment of architectural structures ranging from single- to triple-storeyes. While the Dharmaraja Yudhishthir, Arjuna and Draupadi rathas are quadrangle in plan, the rathas of Bhima and Ganesa are rectangular, and the Sahadeva ratha is apsidal. It was during the reign of Pallava Rajasimha when structural architecture was established on a splendid scale and concluded in the creation of the Shore Temple.

Shore Temple

The Shore temple is another piece of architectural beauty. It stands against the backdrop of the sparkling cobalt waters of the ocean. It was constructed in a period when the style of the Pallavas was at its climax regarding its ornamental exquisiteness and inherent excellence. This building went through erosion by the acerbic action of seawater and air therefore; the sculptures of this temple have become unclear. Mahabalipuram sculptures in India bring appreciation and praises to the artworks of India. They are unique and distinctive in their own way.

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