CAVE TEMPLES OF MAHABALIPURAM:
The cave temples of mahabalipuram is located on the hillock of town , overlooking the coromandel coast of the Bay of bengal in the kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu. , India. Also called as mandapas or rock cut caves, they are sanctuaries or temple covered with bas -relief .
The earliest period of use of these temples as sanctuaries is traced to Buddhists and jains period. They were excavated on rock faces which were cut and carved using chisel and iron mallet.Of the eleven mandapas or caves seen in mahabalipuram, the most notable are the varaha cave temple, krishna cave temple, panchapandava cave temple and mahishasuramardini mandapa.They are cut and decorated with the panels in the mamala style of the pallava in the 7th century. They are differentiated
The cave temples of mahabalipuram is located on the hillock of town , overlooking the coromandel coast of the Bay of bengal in the kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu. , India. Also called as mandapas or rock cut caves, they are sanctuaries or temple covered with bas -relief .
The earliest period of use of these temples as sanctuaries is traced to Buddhists and jains period. They were excavated on rock faces which were cut and carved using chisel and iron mallet.Of the eleven mandapas or caves seen in mahabalipuram, the most notable are the varaha cave temple, krishna cave temple, panchapandava cave temple and mahishasuramardini mandapa.They are cut and decorated with the panels in the mamala style of the pallava in the 7th century. They are differentiated
From the Adiranchanda cave temples which are dated to the Mahendraverman period of the 8th century. The Remnants seen in the caves also indicate that they were plastered and painted when built .one of the most impressive sculpture panels, bas-reliefs carved on the walls in the caves is of goddess Durga(a form of goddess sakthi) who killed mahishasura the buffalo headed demon which has a natural beauty with the elegance of sense of movement and this bas-relief in the mahishasuramardini cave temple is considered as a masterpiece of Indian art.Many of the caves of the pallava has remained incomplete. The procedure in creating these caves involved the method of creating smooth rock face, then cutting columns through the polished rock faces of required size and then carving bas-reliefs on the walls of the caves .Some of the cave temples are covered by the UNESCO inscription while others are not.All caves here with simple plan and elegant architectural styles and have no dieties diefied in the sanctum sanctorum.
PADMAPRIYA I
History:
ReplyDeleteThe caves reflect a transitional style architecture evolved during the rule of kings Mahendra Varman I and Rajasimha or Narasimhavarman I known as Mamalla and this style was continued by his son Parameshvaravarman I. Historical research has also confirmed that Mahabalipuram town came to be established only after it was named after Mamalla and the caves and rathas are dated to his period during the year 650 AD. That Mahabalipuram was a busy port and prosperous during Mamalla's rule is attested by the fact that Xuanzang, the Chinese traveller stayed here in 642 AD as a guest of the court recording the greatness of the town and its king. Thirumangai Alvar, a vaishnava saint of Tamil Nadu has also recorded glowingly about the town’s richness as seen from the loaded ships exporting goods. The caves excavated during this period though similar to the earlier caves but were more sophisticated in their decorations. The Varaha Cave temple or Mandapa has fluted columns separating the openings. Certain Greco-Roman architectural styles could also be discerned and the sitting statues are said to have likeness to the sitting styles seen in European architecture, as against the Indian cross legged style. The style thus created at Mahabalipuram became a forerunner for Dravidian style of architecture.The Pallavas were great patrons of art.
N.Savitha
FEATURES:
ReplyDeleteThey have distinctive styles which do not compare with the Gupta period sculptures of North India. In these caves, the carvings of the faces of the human figures are oval shaped with high cheekbones. The body looks slim with tapering limbs. They have several striking mythological scenes carved in relief. Vishnu rescuing the earth, Vishnu taking three strides, and Gaja Laksmi and Durga are all in the Adi-Varaha Cave. Mahishasura Mardhini is in Durga Cave. Krishna lifting mountain is seen in the Pancha-Panadava cave. The relief carving in the Pallava caves is generally shallower than the Deccan caves. The main figures are slender, delicate and elegant. Their hair dresses and crowns are simple and they show no jewellery. Another particular feature noted in the caves is that the lingas are individual carvings and in prismatic shape. However, the drainage as normally provided in the form of pranala or water chute with the linga to drain the abhisheka (Hindu ritual) offering water is not provided in the caves.
J N Chandra Kala