Caption: The Cover Photo of Zone - 4 & PoI -39.
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 51 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 -38) of this series about Bhima Chariot is Here
The next POI No -40 is ‘Nakul & Sahadev Chariot’, Here.
This POI: Arjuna Chariot
Location: Located on the right side of the Bhima Chariot and the left side of the Draupadi chariot.
Zone Map:
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**Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & the zone map of Zone - 4, Mahabalipuram.Arjuna Chariot
The Arjuna chariot is a part of the five chariots (Pancha Ratha) that was built in the 7th century by the Pallava dynasty King Mahendravarman I & his son Narasimhavarman I continued the construction. Despite their efforts, the monument remained unfinished.
There is no connection between the monuments and Pandavas - from the epic Mahabharata. The ASI proposed that the structures are called Vimanas but the name of the Pandavas continued to connect with these monuments.
The Arjuna chariot is a two-storey vimana (the structure over the inner sanctum) facing west that is located very near the Draupadi chariot. It is carved out of a stone that is 3.5 m / 4.9 m in width and has a height of 6.1 m. This monument is also dedicated to Lord Shiva like the Dharmaraja Ratha. It shares the same secondary platform with the Draupadi chariot. The structure looks simple with a sanctum sanctorum that has a pillared inner porch. The entrance has two small pillars that have the lion sitting posture sculpture at the base. The four sides of the structure are filled with wall sculptures.
Photo.2 - Caption: The Pancha Ratha (5 chariots) compound.
Photo.3 - Caption: The Arjuna chariot (right), The Draupadi chariot (Left) and the Tiger statue.
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*Photo.4 - Caption: Side view of the Arjuna Ratha.Photo.5 - Caption: Rear view of the Arjuna chariot.
Photo.6 - Caption: Wall reliefs on the Arjuna Ratha and statue of the Bull behind the monument.
Photo.7 - Caption: Another side view.
Accessibility: It is difficult to push the wheelchair through the sand dunes.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Wiki) = Here
- Heritage Importance = 5/5
- Photographic Importance = 4/5
- Visit Priority = Very Important
- Monument Type = Ratha (Chariot)
- The Duration to see the POI = 10 minutes.
- Entry: Adult = INR40, Foreigner = ₹350 & Camera – INR 20.(Kindly reconfirm the entry fee & visiting hour before your trip).
- Official Visiting hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm.
- Photography: This monument has more importance to its exterior; Similar to the other Rathas, the sanctum is poorly lit.
- How to reach: By Railways: 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.
Flash photography is prohibited in all the monuments of Mahabalipuram.
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