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*Caption: Cover Photo of Zone - 2.
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 -11&12) of this series about ’ Descendants of Ganges / Arjuna’s penance**'** is Here.
The next POI No -14 is ‘Krishna’s Butter Ball’ Here.
This POI: Trimurti Cave Temple
Location: This POI -13 is at the north most of the compound & on the western slope of the hill. It is around a 10-minute walk from the parking lot.
Zone Map:
Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & the Zone map of Zone - 2, Mahabalipuram.
This triple-celled monument is dedicated to the three supreme powers, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva (the holy trinities of Hinduism), each with Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) & a small shrine of Goddess Durga. However, the Mandapa is missing. This cave temple is one of the most completely excavated.
The first cell (from the left) belongs to Lord Brahma in standing posture has four hands There are two ‘Ganas’ (Attendees/Devotees) on the upper two corners, & two in the sitting posture.
The middle Cell is dedicated to Lord Shiva which carries special importance with a larger size & projected porch. Inside the cell, Shiva is in a standing posture. There are two companions (Ganas) at the top roof and the two devotees in sitting posture, down. The rock-cut relief has a Shiva-Ling in the front, which is surely a later addition.
The third cell is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & also in standing posture. Both the Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) are standing side-wise. The upper corners of the cell have two Ganas and two devotees sitting near his feet.
On the right side of the Vishnu cell, there is a small shrine of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is standing on the severed head of Mahishasura (The buffalo headed demon) with eight hands.
The backside of the monument has the relief of an elephant, its calves, a peacock & a monkey.
Photo - 2. Caption: A distant view of the Trimurti Cave Temple.
Photo- 3. Caption: Facade of the Trimurti Cave Temple.
Photo - 4. Caption: A cistern that is made out of a monolith located in front of the Temple.
Photo - 5. Caption: The inner view of the cistern.
Photo - 6. Caption: Lord Brahma accompanied by his Ganas (Attendees) on the upper side, devotees in the down and two Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) outside.
Photo - 7. Caption: Lord Shiva with his Ganas on the upper side and devotees on the downside. Further a Shiva -Lingaa is placed in the centre of the sanctum and two Dwarapalakas.
Photo - 8. Caption: Lord Vishnu in a standing posture accompanied by his Attendees on the upper side and devotees in the down.
Photo - 9. Caption: A rock relief of an Elephant and its calves, a peacock and a monkey on the backside wall of the cave.
Photo - 10. Caption: Goddess Durga as Mahishasuramardini (The buffalo headed demon) with eight hands. (Inspite of the bad quality posting this photo only for your reference).
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Note:
The items in the hands of the different deities:
All the deities have the lower right hand in Abhaya Mudra (symbol of protection) and the lower left hand resting on their waist.
Lord Brahma: Rosary in the upper right hand & flower in the upper right hand.
Lord Shiva: Upper right-hand carries an axe & left hand the rosary.
Lord Vishnu: The Chakra (discus) - upper right hand - and Shankh (conch) - upper left hand.
Goddess Durga’s eight arms are (1) the chakra (discus), (2) Shankh (conch), (3) khadga (sword), (4) ketaka (shield), (5) bow & (6) arrow, (7) Abhaya-mudra and (8) the lower left hand on her left thigh.
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Accessibility: This POI is accessible by Wheelchair.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Puratattva) = Here
- Heritage Importance = 5/5
- Photographic Importance = 4/5
- Visit Priority =Very Important
- Monument Type = Cave Temple
- The Duration to see the POI, = 30 minutes
- Entry: INR 40 for Indians and INR 600 for foreigners (the same ticket is valid for all monuments in Zone -02, except for the Museum & Lighthouse)
- Visiting hours: 6 am to 6 pm every day. (Kindly reconfirm the ticket rates & visiting hours, prior to your visit)
- Photography: Remember to shoot the elephant in the backside of the cave; shoot each entrance separately - for photos within the cell, evenings are better because natural light will be more. Around this monument, there are good sceneries; good for selfies also.
Flash photography is prohibited in all the monuments of Mahabalipuram.
. All the pictures are looking beautiful. Thank you 