At the southern end of the Mamallapuram Hill complex, the Mahishamardini Mandapa is carved from the rock, displaying very fine scenes from the Puranas (Sanskrit stories from the 5th century AD). These include Vishnu asleep on the coils of a snake (left) and Durga with her lion vehicle, defeating the demon-buffalo Mahisha (right). The central shrine contains an image of Murugan, seated between Shiva and Parvati (his parents).
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions
0.21 MILES
The crowning masterpiece of Mamallapuram’s stonework, this giant relief carving is one of India's greatest ancient artworks. Inscribed on two huge,…
29.25 MILES
Mylapore is one of Chennai's most characterful and traditional neighbourhoods; it predated colonial Madras by several centuries. Its Kapaleeshwarar Temple…
Cholamandal Artists’ Village
21.52 MILES
There’s a tropical bohemian groove floating around Injambakkam village, site of the Cholamandal Artists’ Village, 10km south of Chennai's Adyar River…
0.33 MILES
At the northern end of the Mamallapuram Hill compound, the Trimurti Cave Temple depicts the Hindu 'trinity' amid guardian figures: Brahma (left), Shiva …
0.43 MILES
Huddled together at the southern end of Mamallapuram, the Five Rathas were, astonishingly, all carved from single large rocks. Each of these fine 7th…
29.35 MILES
This soaring Roman Catholic cathedral, a stone's throw from the beach, was founded by the Portuguese in 1523, then rebuilt by the British in neo-Gothic…
0.54 MILES
Standing like a magnificent fist of rock-cut elegance overlooking the sea, surrounded by gardens and ruined courts, the two-towered Shore Temple…
25.92 MILES
Producers of beautiful hand-printed books, this publishing company is based in southern Chennai. Visit its Book Building showroom, where you can browse,…
Nearby Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) attractions
0.02 MILES
This empty cave temple sits south along the road from Arjuna's Penance.
0.03 MILES
Accessed via steep, narrow steps, Mamallapuram's lighthouse offers wonderful panoramas.
0.06 MILES
Similarly sized to Mamallapuram's famous Arjuna's Penance, this unfinished relief carving is just south along West Raja St.
0.08 MILES
South of the Raya Gopura the main Mamallapuram Hill path passes the Ramanuja Mandapa.
0.17 MILES
Just south of the Arjuna's Penance relief carving, the Krisha Mandapa has a fine 16th-century colonnade and contains a famous carving of Krishna…
0.2 MILES
A beautifully carved throne or seat in the shape of a lion, a little west (uphill) from the Raya Gopura on Mamallapuram Hill.