Caption: The Cover Photo of Zone - 2.
#Mahabalipuram - POI -34 - Thiruvalluvar Statue -Zone -3 - TravellerG
Dear friends,
This post is a member of the Mega - Series of 51 posts, about Mahabalipuram, created as a Total “Photo-Walk and Traveller Guide” covering all the “Tourist Destinations” of Mahabalipuram. The 51 POIs are grouped into 4 Zones & a few stand-alone monuments according to the location of monuments. In other words, if one visits 4 zones, all the important POIs can be covered.
List of POIs & Headings - Here.
| POI | POI (Monument) Name | GMaps | TG Posts’ | Heritage | Photos | Visit | Monument | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Links | Links | IMP | IMP | Priority | Type | (Minutes) | |
| ZONE -1 | ||||||||
| 1 | Murugan Temple | Here | Here | 4 | 4 | Low | Structural | 15 |
Introduction to Mahabalipuram:
Mahabalipuram is a picturesque historical coastal city in Tamil Nadu around 60 km from Chennai. One of India’s oldest cities. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) stands at the top of the popular tourist destinations in Asia.
Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram has its roots (records) from the Sangam age (1st century BCE). The Pallava kings ruled here from the 3rd to the 9th Century CE; the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I founded Mahabalipuram in the 7th century AD. Most of the important monuments are dated between the 7th & the 8th century AD. (Some interesting notes - Here).
The previous post (POI No -33) of this series about ’ Mahabalipuram Beach**'** is Here.
The next POI No -35 is ‘Tiger Rock’, Here.
This POI -34 - Thiruvalluvar Statue
Location: This POI comes in Zone -03.
This POI is right on the Mahabalipuram Beach, facing east; in fact, we can say, this is between Tiger-Rock (not Tiger Cave) & Shore Temple.
Zone Map:
Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & the zone map of Zone - 3, Mahabalipuram.
The Statue is of the world-famous Philosopher, Poet-Saint Valluvar (the author of “Thirukkural”) is another important POI in Mahabalipuram, though there is nothing much to see. The Shore Temple in the background and at the end of the street shopping lane, this statue is maintained in a small fenced compound.
The fully gold-painted status is prominently placed on a concrete pedestal; the inscription on the black stone is provided below (Photo #5).
Thiruvalluvar:
A lot of facts about Thiruvalluvar are missing and based on his linguistic works (writing styles), his era is guessed as between the 4th century BCE to early 5th century CE.
Thirukkural
Tiru means "holy or sacred” & Kural means something that is "short or concise”. This classic Tamil literature has described/discussed/given guidelines for almost everything one can think of. Starting from philosophical, ethical, social, political, spiritual he has made comments on every aspect of life.
The surroundings are maintained poorly, which is a very sad point.
Photo - 1. Caption: The Statue of Thiruvalluvar.
Photo - 2. Caption: A distant view of the statue.
Photo - 3. Caption: Another view of the POI.
Photo - 4. Caption: A closeup of the statue.
Photo - 5. Caption: The Thiruvalluvar Shilai.
Accessibility: Due to deep sand dunes, it is difficult to push the wheelchair through the beach as this POI is situated on the beach.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Wiki - Thiruvalluvar) = Here
- Heritage Importance = 4/5
- Photographic Importance = 3/5
- Visit priority = Normal
- Monument type = Others
- The Duration to see the POI = 5 minutes
- Entry: = Free.
- Visiting hours: N/A (Open-air, Public Monument)
- Photography: A 70 -200mm zoom lens can take the portrait of the statue correctly (ref: to Photo #4). Mornings will light the statue correctly as the statue is east facing.
- How to reach**:** By Railway: Nearest Railway stations are Chengalpattu (29 km) and Chennai (48 km) well-connected with many Indian cities. By Airways: Chennai International Airport (55 km) away from Mahabalipuram. By Road: Private/Public bus services can be availed from many cities of Tamil Nadu and South India including Chennai and Chengalpattu to reach Mahabalipuram.
@Pratik_89 @Gurukrishnapriya @Radhikasingla1 @MashaPS @Ddimitra @plavarda @PattyBlack @Arati @Ramamoorthy123 @CAAG1959
