Varaha Cave Temple

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Entrance to Varaha mandapa
Entrance to Varaha mandapa

Varaha Cave Temple, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century, is a rock-cut cave temple located at Mamallapuram, a tiny village south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The village was a busy port during the 7th and 8th century reign of the Pallava dynasty. The site is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill, including one depicting Arjuna's Penance.[1] It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[2]

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[edit] Temple

The temple is a small monolithic rock-cut temple with a mandapam dating from the 7th century. Inside the side walls have large sculptured panels depicting Vishnu as Varaha, the boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess, good examples of naturalistic Pallava art. The Pallava doorkeepers are four pillars that have lion carved into the bases. Inside, on rear wall, is the shrine with guardian figures on either side.[1]

Sculptured side panels
Sculptured side panels

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b General view of the entrance to the Varaha Cave Temple, Mamallapuram. British Library. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  2. ^ Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. World Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.

[edit] External links

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