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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mahabalipuram
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = A collage of Mamallapuram town Tamil Nadu India.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = The town of Mahabalipuram
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|12.616454|N|80.199370|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]]
| established_title = 
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_m = 12
| population_total = 15,172<ref name=britmamalla>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Mamallapuram Mamallapuram], Encyclopedia Britannica</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 603104
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 91–44
| registration_plate = TN-19<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kathiresan |first1=Rajesh Kumar |title=TN Motor Vehicle Registration |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/regnseries.htm}}</ref>
}}

'''Mahabalipuram''', also known as '''Mamallapuram''', is a town in [[Chengalpattu district]] in the southeastern Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], best known for the UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram]]. It is one of the famous tourist sites in India.<ref name=britmamalla/>

Mahabalipuram was one of two major port cities in the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava kingdom]]. The town was named after Pallava king [[Narasimhavarman I]], who was also known as Mahabali. Along with economic prosperity, it became the site of a group of royal monuments, many carved out of the living rock. These are dated to the 7th and 8th centuries: [[ratha]]s (temples in the form of chariots), [[mandapa]]s (cave sanctuaries), the giant open-air [[rock relief]] the ''[[Descent of the Ganges]]'', and the [[Shore Temple]] dedicated to [[Shiva]].<ref name=britmamalla/><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p399">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|url-access=registration|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M|author=James G. Lochtefeld|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2002|isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/n405 399]}}</ref> The contemporary town plan was established by the [[British Raj]] in 1827.<ref>''Encyclopedia Britannica'', 15th Edition (1982), Vol. VI, p. 497</ref>

== Name ==
Mahabalipuram is also known by other names such as Mamallapattana and Mamallapuram. The term 'Mahabalipuram' means city of 'great power'. Another name by which Mahabalipuram has been known to mariners, at least since [[Marco Polo]]'s time is "Seven Pagodas" alluding to the [[Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram]] that stood on the shore, of which one, the [[Shore Temple]], survives.<ref name="currentscience_20040510">{{cite journal|authors=Sundaresh, A. S. Gaur, Sila Tripati, K. H. Vora|date=10 May 2004|title=Underwater investigations off Mamallapuram|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may102004/1231.pdf|volume=86|issue=9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041105051003/http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may102004/1231.pdf|archive-date=5 November 2004|journal=Current Science}}</ref>

== History ==
Neolithic burial urn, cairn circles and jars with burials dating to the 1st century BCE have been discovered near Mahabalipuram. The Sangam age poem [[Perumpāṇāṟṟuppaṭai]] relates the rule of King Thondaiman Ilam Thiraiyar at [[Kanchipuram]] of the [[Tondai Nadu]] port ''Nirppeyyaru'' which scholars identify with the present-day Mahabalipuram. Chinese coins and Roman coins of [[Theodosius I]] in the 4th century CE have been found at Mahabalipuram revealing the port as an active hub of global trade in the late classical period. Two [[Pallava]] coins bearing legends read as Srihari and Srinidhi have been found at Mahabalipuram. The Pallava kings ruled Mahabalipuram from [[Kanchipuram]]; the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the 3rd century to 9th century CE, and used the port to launch trade and diplomatic missions to [[Sri Lanka]] and Southeast Asia.

[[File:Mamallapuram Shore Temple View from beach.JPG|thumb|Mahabalipuram [[Shore Temple]], view from beach]]
An 8th-century Tamil text written by [[Thirumangai Alvar]] described this place as Sea Mountain 'where the ships rode at anchor bent to the point of breaking laden as they were with wealth, big trunked elephants and gems of nine varieties in heaps'.

The temples of Mahabalipuram, portraying events described in the [[Mahabharata]], were built largely during the reigns of King [[Narasimhavarman]] and his successor Rajasimhavarman and show the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building. The city of Mahabalipuram was founded by the Pallava king [[Narasimhavarman I]] in the 7th century AD.<ref name="currentscience_20040510"/> The [[mandapa]] or pavilions and the rathas or shrines shaped as temple [[chariots]] are hewn from the [[granite]] rock face, while the famed [[Shore Temple]], erected half a century later, is built from dressed stone. What makes Mahabalipuram so culturally resonant are the influences it absorbs and disseminates. The Shore Temple includes many reliefs, including one {{convert|100|ft|m}} long and {{convert|45|ft|m}} high, carved out of granite.<ref name="ReferenceA">Ancient Discoveries: Lost Cities of the Deep History Channel</ref>

In 1957 the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture was established to promote and revive the art of making sculptures and temples.

== Transport ==
[[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|MTC]] and [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation|TNSTC]] (Villupuram division) operate bus services between Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram and Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Thiruttani etc. MTC's bus services available from various parts of the Chennai include Deluxe and Air-conditioned buses.<ref>https://mtcbus.tn.gov.in/Home/vehicles</ref> Mahabalipuram is located at the distance of 56 km from Chennai.

'''MTC bus Routes towards Mahabalipuram'''

{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
!Route Number
!Start
!End
!Via
|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|515
|[[Tambaram]]
|Mahabalipuram
|Vandalore Zoo, Kelambakkam, Thirupporur
|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|568
|[[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]]
|Mahabalipuram
|
|-
|style="background:black; color:white"|568C
|[[Koyambedu]]
|Mahabalipuram
|Vadapalani, Ashok nagar, Guindy, Madhya kailash, Perugudi, Sholinganallur, Kelambakkam, Thirupporur
|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|588
|[[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]]
|Mahabalipuram<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/on-board-chennais-longest-bus-route/article28136190.ece|title=On board Chennai's longest bus route|last=Ramakrishnan|first=Malavika|date=2019-06-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-07-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|Thiruvanmiyur, VGP, MGM, Kovalam, Thiruvedanthai, Vadanemmeli, Devanery
|-
|style="background:black; color:white"|588B
|[[Broadway, Chennai|Broadway]]
|Mahabalipuram
|Annasquare, AIR, Santhome, AMS, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, VGP, MGM, Kovalam, Thiruvedanthai, Vadanemmeli, Devanery
THIS ROUTE IS AVAILABLE ONLY ON SUNDAY AND GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS
|-
|style="background:black; color:white"|588C
|[[Koyambedu]]
|Mahabalipuram
|Vadapalani, Ashok nagar, Guindy, Madhya kailash, Thiruvanmiyur, VGP, MGM, Kovalam, Thiruvedanthai, Vadanemmeli, Devanery
|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|589
|[[Velachery]]
|Mahabalipuram
|SRP Tools, Tiruvanmiyur, VGP, MGM, Kovalam, Thiruvedanthai, Vadanemmeli, Devanery
|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|599
|[[T Nagar]]
|Mahabalipuram
|[[Saidapet]], [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], Thiruvanmiyur, VGP, MGM, Kovalam, Thiruvedanthai, Vadanemmeli, Devanery

|-
|style="background:navy; color:white"|212A
|[[Kanchipuram]]
|Mahabalipuram
|Walajabad, [[Chengalpattu]], Thirukazhikundram, Echoor

|}

== Climate ==
Mahabalipuram has a [[tropical wet and dry climate]]. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Aw. The average annual temperature is 28.4 °C. The temperatures are highest on average in May, at around 32.6 °C. In January, the average temperature is 24.3 °C, the lowest of the year. The average temperatures vary during the year by 8.3 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 1219 mm. In winter, there is much less rainfall than in summer. The variation in the precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 309 mm.
{{Weather box
|location = Mahabalipuram
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 28.9
|Feb high C = 30.4
|Mar high C = 32.1
|Apr high C = 34.4
|May high C = 37.6
|Jun high C = 37.4
|Jul high C = 35.5
|Aug high C = 34.9
|Sep high C = 34.3
|Oct high C = 32.0
|Nov high C = 29.3
|Dec high C = 28.5
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 24.3
|Feb mean C = 25.4
|Mar mean C = 27.2
|Apr mean C = 30.0
|May mean C = 32.6
|Jun mean C = 32.2
|Jul mean C = 30.8
|Aug mean C = 30.2
|Sep mean C = 29.7
|Oct mean C = 28.0
|Nov mean C = 25.8
|Dec mean C = 24.6
|year mean C =
|Jan low C =19.8
|Feb low C = 20.4
|Mar low C = 22.4
|Apr low C = 25.6
|May low C = 27.6
|Jun low C = 27.1
|Jul low C = 26.2
|Aug low C = 25.5
|Sep low C = 25.1
|Oct low C = 24.1
|Nov low C = 22.4
|Dec low C = 20.8
|year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 20
|Feb precipitation mm = 6
|Mar precipitation mm = 4
|Apr precipitation mm = 11
|May precipitation mm = 55
|Jun precipitation mm = 62
|Jul precipitation mm = 92
|Aug precipitation mm = 124
|Sep precipitation mm = 114
|Oct precipitation mm = 240
|Nov precipitation mm = 313
|Dec precipitation mm = 178
|year precipitation mm =
|Jan precipitation days = 2
|Feb precipitation days = 1
|Mar precipitation days = 1
|Apr precipitation days = 2
|May precipitation days = 3
|Jun precipitation days = 4
|Jul precipitation days = 6
|Aug precipitation days = 8
|Sep precipitation days = 8
|Oct precipitation days = 13
|Nov precipitation days = 15
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|year precipitation days =71
|source =Climate-data.org<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/31045/|title=Climate: Mahabalipuram|work=climate-data.org}}</ref>
}}

== Landmarks ==
[[File:Elephant Reliefs at the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.jpg|thumb|Elephant Reliefs at the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram]]
[[File:Krishna's Butterball in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg|thumb|[[Krishna's Butterball]] in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu]]
{{main|Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram}}
The town has a collection of 7th- and 8th-century Hindu religious monuments that has been declared as a UNESCO [[World Heritage site]].<ref name=britmamalla/><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p399"/><ref name=Unesco /> It is on the [[Coromandel Coast]] of the Bay of Bengal, about {{convert|60|km}} south of [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].<ref name=britmamalla>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Mamallapuram Mamallapuram], Encyclopedia Britannica</ref>

The site has 40 ancient monuments and [[Hindu temple]]s,<ref name="Geographic2008p154">{{cite book|author=National Geographic|title=Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jNqDFSxR8-MC&pg=PA154|year=2008|publisher=National Geographic Society|isbn=978-1-4262-0336-7|page=154}}</ref> including Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna's Penance – one of the largest open-air [[rock relief]] in the world.<ref name=britmamalla/><ref name="Michell1977p133">{{cite book|author=George Michell|title=The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajgImLs62gwC&pg=PA133 |year=1977|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-53230-1|pages=131–134}}</ref> The site includes several categories of monuments: ''ratha'' temples with an architecture of monolith processional chariots built between 630 and 668 CE; the mandapa viharas with halls and stone roofs with narratives from the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', [[Shaktism]] and [[Vaishnavism]]; rock reliefs particularly [[Relief#Bas-relief or low relief|bas-reliefs]] of [[Shaivism]], Shaktism and Vaishnavism; stone cut temples particularly those dedicated to [[Shiva]] that also reverentially display [[Vishnu]] and others, built between 695 and 722 CE; and, archaeological excavations with inscriptions some dated to 6th century and earlier.<ref name=Unesco /><ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_mahabalipuram_detail.asp Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Dist. Kanchipuram] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204944/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_mahabalipuram_detail.asp |date=29 May 2018 }}, Archaeological Survey of India (2014)</ref> The cave temples and monolithic temples were built during the [[Pallava Dynasty|Pallava Period]].<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p399"/><ref name=Unesco>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/249/|title=Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram|access-date=23 October 2012|publisher=UNESCO.org}}</ref><ref name=Advisory>{{Cite web|url= https://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/249.pdf |title= Advisory body evaluation |access-date= 23 October 2012|publisher=UNESCO.org}}</ref> The site is managed by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].<ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_mahabalipuram.asp World Heritage Sites - Mahabalipuram], Archaeological Survey of India (2014)</ref>

Some important structures include:
* ''[[Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram)|Descent of the Ganges]]'' or ''Arjuna's Penance'' – a giant open-air rock relief
* ''[[Pancha Rathas]]'' (Five Chariots) – five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the [[Pandava]]s ([[Arjuna]], [[Bhima]], [[Yudhishtra]], [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]) and [[Draupadi]]. Each of these is carved from one single separate large piece of stone.
*[[Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram|Cave Temples]] – over ten rock-cut temples dating back to the 7th century. These include the Varaha, Adi Varaha, Krishna, Mahishasuramardini (Durga), Ramanuja, Dharmaraja, Koneri, Kotikal, Panchapandava and others
* The [[Shore Temple]] – a structural temple along the [[Bay of Bengal]] with the entrance from the western side away from the sea. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here.
* Other [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram#Structural temples|structural temples]] including the Olakkanesvara temple and the lighthouse, along with rock-cut features such as the Draupadi's tank and Krishna's butterball
* [[Thirukadalmallai]], the temple dedicated to Lord [[Vishnu]].

{{wide image|Mahabalipuram pano2.jpg|1400px|align-cap=center|The ''[[Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram)|Descent of the Ganges]]'', also known as ''Arjuna's Penance'', at Mahabalipuram, is one of the largest rock reliefs in Asia and features in several Hindu scriptures.}}

== Demography ==
[[File:Chennai Mahabalipuram.jpg|180px|thumb|Shore temple at Mamallapuram]]
{{As of|2001}} India census,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Mahabalipuram had a population of 12,345.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census of towns in Tamil Nadu|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/towns/tn_towns.pdf|publisher=Census of India| access-date = 2012-06-10 }}</ref> Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mahabalipuram has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 66%. In Mahabalipuram, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

== Narendra Modi–Xi Jinping Summit ==
On 12 October 2019, Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and Chinese President [[Xi Jinping]] had an informal meet at Mahabalipuram. Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping visited places like [[Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram)|Arjuna's Penance]], [[Pancha Rathas]] and [[Shore Temple]] and later explained about the sculptures and paintings to the Chinese president. Later both gave a pose in front of [[Krishna's Butterball]].

== See also ==

* [[Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram]]
* [[Alamparai Fort]]
* [[List of colossal sculpture in situ]]

== Literature ==
* [[Lukas Hartmann]]: ''Mahabalipuram oder Als Schweizer in Indien. Ein Reisetagebuch.'' Arche, Zürich, {{ISBN|978-3-716-01764-7}}.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

;Sources
{{refbegin}}
*{{Citation |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian shrines: illustrated |year=1991 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0151-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&q=mahabalipuram&pg=PA157}}.
*[http://www.cornersofearth.org/ancient-sculptures-in-mahabalipuram-top-places-to-visit-in-mahabalipuram/ The Story of Ancient Sculptures in Mahabalipuram]
*{{Citation |last1=Bradnock |first1=Roma |first2=Robert |last2=Bradnock |title=Footprint India |year=2009|publisher=Patrick Dawson |location=USA |isbn=978-1-904777-00-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWKaR6LbEGcC&q=mahabalipuram&pg=PA808}}.
* {{cite book |title=Frommer's India |pages=350 |authors=Pippa de Bruyn, Keith Bain, David Allardice |isbn=978-0-470-55610-8 |publisher=Frommer's |year=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qG-9cwHOcCIC&q=mahabalipuram&pg=PA333}}
*{{Citation |last=Hurd|first=James|title=Temples of Tamilnad|year=2010|publisher=Xilbris Corporation |location=USA|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MaDQ5nqymXAC&q=mahabalipuram&pg=PA63|isbn=978-1-4134-3843-7}}.
*{{Citation
| last=Singh
| first=Sarina
| year=2009
| title=South India (Lonely Planet Regional Guide)
| publisher= Lonely Planet
| edition=5th
| isbn=978-1-74179-155-6
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8KnLFpjEHpUC&q=mahabalipuram&pg=PA387}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.mahabalipuram.co.in Mahabalipuram]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120305214902/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2425/stories/20080104242506600.htm Article on Mahabalipuram]
* [https://travelthruhistory.com/the-stone-artists-of-mahabalipuram/ Article on Stone Artists of Mahabalipuram]
* [https://historyin.co/tamilnadu/1875-ganesh-temple-monolith-mamallapuram/ 1875 Ganesh Temple monolith Mamallapuram]
*[https://thebossmonk.com/travel/the-sea-shore-temple-heritage-of-mamallapuram/ Heritage of Mamallapuram - The Sea-shore Temple]

{{World Heritage Sites in India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:All articles containing potentially dated statements]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2001]]
[[Category:Caves of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Mahabalipuram| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1827]]
[[Category:Sunken cities]]
[[Category:Underwater ruins]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
[[Category:1827 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Chengalpattu district]]

Mamallapuram - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 10:43, 14 August 2023