Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa - 5 Things to Know Before Visiting
Hindu Temples
Sculptures
Old Ruins
About Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
A 7th-century Indian rock-cut sculptures Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa is located in Mahabalipuram. The temple is part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1984.
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Attractions Near Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
Mahabalipuram Light House
0.04km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
It is open to tourists since 2011. It is closed in 2001 due to the LTTE attack. This is one of the Indias oldest lighthouse.
Descent of the Ganges
0.31km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
Descent of the Ganges is a huge rock monument located on West Raja Street in Mahabalipuram. Carved in the 7th century during the Pallava reign on the face of an enormous boulder, this along with the adjacent carving, Arjuna's Penance, is one of the largest open-air rock sculptures in the world.
Krishna's Butter Ball
0.44km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
A gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline in the historical town of Mahabalipuram. The boulder is approximately 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighs around 250 tons.
Pancha Rathas
0.74km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
UNESCO world heritage site. Pancharathas is a monument complex in Kanchipuram. The pancharathas is a five rock marvels in the complex. It is known for its monolithic architecture.
Shore Temple
0.85km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
This 8th-century temple is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. This is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site because of its architecture, history, and heritage.
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology
15.14km from Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
This is to promote the conservation of the reptiles and amphibians and theirhabitats through education scientifc research and captive breeding.
Discover More Attractions in Kanchipuram, Home of Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
Kanchipuram
8 attractions
It is called as the temple city of Tamil Nadu.
Where is Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
What Visitors Say About Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
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Nithin Mathew
2018-06-16
This is a rock cut cave temple located on a hill, dating 7th century. This is a part of monuments at Mahabalipuram. This temple has many interesting architectural features, especially the exquisitely carved inner walls depecting the stories from Hindu mythology. The temple faces east and has three chambers, and the oldest lighthouse of India, constructed in the 7th century stands on top of the temple.
According to legend, Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, who was considered unconquerable. Hence, following his slaying, she was given the title Mahishasuramardhini (conqueror of Mahisha). The granite-carved cave temple depicts the goddess Mahishasuramardhini, considered an incarnation of the goddess Durga, and is named after her as "Mahishasuramardhini Cave Temple". The cave's northern wall depicts this battle. The goddess is shown riding a lion, her several arms holding a bow and arrow, pursuing the retreating Mahisha and his followers. The southern wall depicts the sculpture of Vishnu in reclining posture.
To get to the temple, you will have to walk a small hill. It sits amidst a garden of tall trees. You can roam around freely, and can even visit and take picture inside the cave temple. Also, we climbed on top of the large rock housing the temple and enjoyed a scenic view of the surroundings from up there. It is pretty mesmirizing to be so close to the ruins of the older lighthouse, overlookign the newer lighthouse and watching the sea at a distance and the sun setting on the other side.