Mahabalipuram Tour- An Enigmatic Experience

Setting my heart and soul free from the ‘rat-race’ of urban life I was joyfully walking at the ‘slow pace’ of nature, feeling as if my soul had accomplished everything it wanted to. My every moment at this place was ‘rewarding’ and my heart was overflowing with joy. I was walking along the beach absorbing every bit of beauty. I was in Mahabalipuram– a city of difference, a city which cherishes its past, a city that is high-on natural beauty and architectural brilliance and a city cocooned in mythological significance. The peaceful and relaxed vibe of this beach town worked wonders for me. I was rejuvenated to the hilt.

The Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal was the first destination I visited. It is a World Heritage Site attracting tourists from across the globe. Set in a peaceful ambiance, it is one of the oldest stone temples of south India. Its glorious history dates back to the 8th century when the Pallavas, who were the great patrons of art and architecture, were ruling south India.

It is a five-storied structure with breathtaking sculptures which are extremely artistic and look very lively. Although it is not a living temple but it still retains its old-world charm. The other striking features of the temple are its two steep pyramidal towers capped by octagonal domes and the temple walls topped by sculptures of Nandi.

The temple complex houses three shrines of which two Shiva temples face east and west respectively. The third and the central shrine facing the sea on the east is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a small temple in front of the main temple, which originally served as a porch. One of the sculptures, I liked very much, depicted goddess Durga on a lion with a small carved shrine( the lion has a small square-shaped cut in its belly). Really there is so much to explore and experience at this destination.

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