Arjuna’s
Penance: It is a 27m x 9m World largest bas-relief. It has over 100 sculptures
of Gods, Birds and Beasts and Saints. It is Popularly called as Arjunan Penance
[Tapas]. It is believed to illustrate an instance from Mahabharata
when Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, performed rigorous penance with
a prayer to Lord Shiva's to obtain the Powerful and Divine Bow
to destroy the Gauravas. The other name is the “Descent of the Ganges”
It is also said in legends that King “Bhagiratha” standing on one
leg posture Praying to the Lord to bring the River Ganges Down to earth
to please the souls of his ancestors.
 Shore Temple : It was built between 700–728 AD with granite
Blocks. As it is on the shore overlooking Bay of Bengal it is called as the
Shore Temples. It was built in Dravidian Style of Architecture. This
was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II. This Shore Temple Complex
has One Large and Two Small temples. It is one of the oldest structural
excellence of the South India and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Varaha Cave : It is also called as
Adhivaraha Cava Temple. It is a rock-cut cave temple of the late 7th Century,
which forms a part of the Village on Hilltop 2 kms from the Main Town. It is the
finest testimony of the Viswakarma Sthapathis. The prominent sculpture
in the cave is that of Lord Vishnu in the incarnated form of a Varaha Swamy
[Boar] rescuing Bhudevi [Mother Earth] from Seas.
Many mythical charecters have been sculptured on the temple walls and pillars.
Butter Ball : A Huge Boulder called as
the Butter Ball of Sri Krishna located near the Ganesha Ratha
resting on a very narrow rock base. It is believed, as said by the legends that
Neither the Kings nor the Elephants who tried to move this Boulder could move it
even an inch from there.
Open Air Museum : This is a new and modern
addition to the town of Mahabalipuram. But it reflects the heritage of the Sangam
Era too. Exciting Stone Exhibits made like Stone Chain, Ornamental Wheels,
shaped by over 200 sculptors are found here.
 Tiger Cave
: It is 4 Kms from the main monument complex. It was built as an open-air
theatre, where cultural programs believed to have been held during the Pallva Period.
It has a serene and Calm atmosphere in spite of its nearness to the Sea.
Other Interesting Monuments
Ganesha Ratha, The Old Light House, Gopi’s – Churn,
Valyankuttai Ratham, Kodikal Mandapam are some of the other monuments that
attracts the tourists.
Government College of Architecture and Sculpture
: This college near Mamallapuram was established in the year 1957. Degree
Courses were introduced in Traditional Architecture, Sculpture and Traditional
Drawing. It also serves as a museum for showcasing Indian rock architecture.
A Separate building for the Library and a huge Sculptural Studio for sculptors are
attractive features of this College.
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