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55 km from Chennai, where there are almost 70 monuments, rock cut monoliths, displaying fine sculpture. These sculptures still bear testimony to the past splendor of south India. Mamallapuram, was the port city of the Pallavas in the 7th century A.D. today it is a fascinating archaeological site and a pleasant sea-resort.
En route to Mahabalipuram lies Cholamandal Artists village 20 km from Chennai (Madras) and the Crocodile Farm. This bank breeds crocodiles in captivity in order to increase their number in the country. Here you can see these reptiles in their various stages.
In and around
Five Rathas
Five Rathas, rock cut monoliths named after the heroes of the Mahabharata epic. The other group at Mamallapuram are the cave temples of Mahishasuramardini the Olalkkanneswara (God of the flaming eye) and others. Near the seashore stands the twin temple unit which is particularly important for its place in the early structural temple building forms in south India.
Shore Temple
Right on the sea-shore this shrine is a fine fruit of the final phase of Pallava temple architecture at Mamallapuram. It is belived to be a late 17th century creation when Rajasimha was on the throne. This temple dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva is characterized by two pyramidal towers or spires crowned by octagonal domes, and surrounded by a band of carved out bulls.
The Descent of Ganges
Also known as Arjuna's Penance, this famous open air sculpture in high relief, covers the surface of a cliff measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. Between a natural fissure of the rock flows a cascade which represents the descent of the Ganges
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