121 Tamilnadu which is in the Southern part of India is the end of all states in the topography of India, has many beautiful places to see. There are many beautiful scenery, ancient monuments and historic temples for their unique sculptures, with the culture and tradition of the natives and so on. There are lots of other things to be spoken as well. One such place to be watched and enjoyed is Mahabalipuram. This is a magnificent tourist place. Mahabalipuram is situated on the coramandel coast, 58km to the South of Chennai. It was designated a world Heritage site by UNESCO in 1984 for it stunning range of monuments, dating from the sixth to the tenth century A.D that include stone rathas (temples in the form of chariots) mandapas (cave junctures) the famous Shore temple and giant sized sculptures carved on granite rocks. The richness in Mahabalipuram was not known to many, as Pallavas did not outlet and expose their quality and innovative creations to the outer world for obvious reasons. The aestheticism was hidden until the late 18th century. What is special about Mahabalipuram of course every one can point out the rock – cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas – relief’s which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mahabalipuram is referred as an open – air museum. The great Pallava kings Narasimha - I and Rajasimha have well 122 preserved these stylistic qualities that one can enjoy in Mahabalipuram even in the present day. The beauty of the place is not only due to these architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand made crafts around have made them all to form what is a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits Mahabalipuram will remain startled and intoxicated with the grandeur. They feel excited and more out from this historical and fascinating tourist spot. Hearing of a temple singing to the rhythm of waves, rocks reading epic poetry spell binding sculpture and rock – cut caves echoing a glorious past. That’s Mahabalipuram for you all in one. Mahabalipuram is one of the 16 World Heritage sites being protected and developed by the Archaeological survey of India and the central tourism department. The visitor to this sought after tourist destination never fails to experience the rare symphony on the rocks created by the Pallavas. The tourists discovery derive pleasure through a series of wonderful monuments, now getting a fresh lease of life, and an enchanting beach. The monuments are broadly in the form of monolithic, most of which are called rathas or chariots rock – cut caves excavated from hillocks, structural temple and Bas – relief carved on hill edges. It’s ideal for visitors to explore the resort beginning with the five rathas on the 123 Southern side, move towards the hillside to see the caves mandapams and thala Sayana Perumal temple, and proceed towards the sea to experience the beauty of the Shore temple. 4-1 Rathas In this chapter I have attempted very briefby about the rathas, mandapas and temples of Mahabalipuram. But I have made sincere attempt and elborate discussion about the Dharmaraja ratha and Shore temple due to the aesthetic beautification. Rathas are free standing temples cut out of solid rock most of which are locally called or styled rathas or chariots. The five rathas is a set of magnificent monolithic rock temples. Panch is a Hindi word which means ‘Five’. These five rock temples are located in a sandy compound. These five rathas are the perfect examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. They resambll are look similar to that of the Buddhist shrines and monasteries. Rathas in English means chariot. There chariots are constructed with towers, the cars of Gods, multipillared halls, and sculptured walls which are chissled out minutely1. The rathas stand not far from one another and by their neat alignment, and the height, length and width of each structure, reveal the consummate skill that has built on rigid geometrical conceptions2. The Mamallapuram pancha rathas or five chariots are elegant rock- cut shrines famed as the structural fore-runners of the temple of South 124 India. They have an individuality of their own amidst the fumble of stone monuments filling the shore area. For style they are unrivalled even in their unfinished state, each one pleasantly different in essential elements from the other3. George Michael explains, that "The series of monolithic temples known as rathas literally chariots, at Mahabalipuram provide a varitable catalogue of the architectonic forms and sacred icons current during, the seventh and eighth centuries in Southern India. Despite the face that this monolithic phase was only transitory, the 'rathas' reveal a true sophistication of craftsmanship and imaginative elaboration of the Southern Indian architectural formula4. The rathas have an association to the great epic Mahabharata which describes the heroes of Mahabharata with their wife Draupadi which is termed as Pancha pandava rathas. The five rathas are Draupadi’s rathas, Arjuna’s rathas, Nakulasahadev’s rathas, Bhima ratha and Dharamaraja5. 4-1-1 Bhima ratha The Bhima ratha with a roof, shaped like the hood of a county wagon, is elongated on a rectangular base and is supported lengthwise by four pillars and two pilasters. The other ornamentations, false (chaitya windows (dudu) and pavilion, are similar to that of the Dharamaraja ratha. The curvilinear roof her and in the Draupadi ratha is at once suggestive of 125 its origin from the thatched hut with covering. The Bhima ratha contains no paddy grass figure carving. This ratha is faced towards west and this is laid third of the rathas. The shrine is gorgeous as it measures 42ft in length, width and 25ft in height. The pillars are lion carved whereas the other parts are plain. This ratha too is an incomplete one. In the epic Mahabharata Bhima the huge guy is bulky and strong he is fond of eating all the time6. 4-1-2 Arjuna ratha The next one, called Arjuna ratha, is almost a replica of the Dharmaraja ratha. There are carved panels between pilasters on the four sides of its main body on the ground floor and first storey. Three sides of the main body of the ratha contain five panels each, the central and corner ones bding narrowe but more prominent. In the corner panels there are standing figures of dvarapalakas. In the central panels are a Siva leaning on Nandi on the south and Indra on Airavata on the east and a Vishnu leaning on Garuda on the north. In the other panel are mithuna figures or royal couples. One of the panels to the east shows a rishi carrying a staff followed by his disciple. The attempt of the sculptor to represent many of them in full and three quarters profile shows a mastery of skill. Similar mithunas are also portrayed in the panels of the upper storey. Alternating Elephants and lions are carved at the base of this monument all around as 126 supports. The scheme of decoration by means of kudus and pavilions is the same as in the Dharmaraja ratha. To the west of the temple projects a portico supported by two pillars and two pilasters of the squatting lion type, of which the pollars are lost. A flight of steps part of the monolithic leads up to the portico. Immediately above the capitals of the pillars and pilasters and below the kudus is a row of dwarfs (Ganeas) artistically portrayed in different funny postures. The corresponding row in the upper storey shows a frieze of geese. In the cell of this ratha guarded by dvarapalakas, there used to be a head crowned by trisula similar to the one at the southern end of the wagon roof of the Ganesa ratha. This was obviously intended to represent Siva. Though the horns are lost, they can be reconstructed after those in the Ganesa ratha. This is no longer shown in the cell. Behind the ratha is a colossal monolithic couchant Nandi which, even in its semi finished state, is a masterpiece7. The Arjuna’s ratha is dedicated to Lord Siva. This has a small portico and carved pillar stones. Inside the shrine there are no inscriptions or figures whereas on the outer walls. There are carvings of Gods and humans. A panel on the Northern wall is carved with two doors – keepers. Beautiful carvings of Lord Vishnu and Garuda on one panel and the other panel with a couple. The Eastern wall is carved with a double dvarapalakas, in the middle wall the portrait of Lord Indra riding an 127 Elephant, a log standing of the left with has disciples and two beautiful women are perfectly chissled out. These beautiful carvings have been praised by many poets. There is also a figure of Nandi bull which is still left unfinished8. 4-1-3 Draupadi ratha The next temple, named Draupadi ratha, is probably the most elegant in this group. It is supported by four corner pilasters and has a niche crowned by makaratorana on three sides, while on the west it has two niches containing figures of dvarapalakas which flank either side of the doorway decorated with makaratorana. The remaining niches each contain a representation of standing Durga, the one on the east resting on the severed head of the buffalo demon. In the cell inside there is another four armed standing Durga, adored by two male worshippers kneeling at her feet, one of them brandishing his sword to cut off his head as an offering to the Goddess, and four dwarf ganas flying overhead.