Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram is a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian stateof Tamil Nadu. It is around 60 km south from the city of Chennai. It is an ancient historic town and was a bustling sea-port during the time of Periplus (1st century CE) and Ptolemy (140 CE). Ancient Indian traders who went to countries of South East Asiasailed from the seaport of Mahabalipuram.
By the 7th Century it was a Port city of South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It has an average elevation of 12 metres (39 feet). The modern city of Mahabalipuram was established by the British Raj in 1827.[1] Mamallapuram, popularly known as Mahabalipuram is named after the 7th century Pallava king Narasimha Varman I, Mammalan who was a great warrior and wrestler. It is a living testimony to the artistic temperament of the great Pallava kings who were trendsetters of the Dravidian architecture.Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mahabalipuram boasts of various historic monuments built during the Pallava period between 7th and 9th centuries. A popular tourist destination on the outskirts of Chennai, Mahabalipuram attracts many tourists.Located around 60 km south of Chennai, this architectural splendor along the coast of Bay of Bengal has withstood the ravages of time and the recent Tsunami. The rock-cut monolithic monuments are good examples of Dravidian architecture that also portray elements of Buddhist design. The cave temples, monolithic rathas or chariots, sculpted bas-reliefs are intrinsic to the architectural splendor here.
