Intriguing deities...

Saw these deities on display and they are intriguing... especially the elephant god perusing a book. 

 A picture of rotund bliss....

 The Buddha reclining... 

 The elephant god again with numerous hands... 

The elephant god with many heads...

Mahabalipuram: The Lion, the Temples and the Pallavas

So this is the monolithic lion sculpture, he does look prehistoric with those curved fangs. Check out the temples in the background and the lovely dancing figures engraved into them. The Pallavas must have been a really patient race... do click on the picture for a larger view. 

Mahabalipuram: Bas Relief

To tell you the truth, these kinda creeped me out... I don't know why but it was sorta unnerving watching this bas relief work as the sun was setting in the horizon. I don't think I would be able to cross this place at night... 

But they do look nice, considering the work that has gone into sculpting them onto the side of a huge rock. Click on the pictures to enlarge them....

Mahabalipuram: The Goddess & her cherubs

Here is the goddess inside the temple, surrounded by her Indian looking cherubs. I have no clue what the person crouching in the corner is doing, looks like a dance pose to me.

Mahabalipuram: Temple Entrance

This is the entrance to another small temple... the deity (in the center) is enveloped in shadows. You'll see her more clearly tomorrow, she has got a fantastic shape... click on the picture for a clearer view.

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series
First Glance
Graceful Sentries
Rock Elephant
Temple Carvings

Mahabalipuram: Temple Carvings

The place is strewn with carved temples like this... you can see one in the background too. Notice the base is solid rock, these ancient people must have really worked hard to create these monuments. Please click on the picture to enlarge it.

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series
First Glance
Graceful Sentries
Rock Elephant
Temple Entrance

Mahabalipuram: Graceful Sentries

These sculpted figures adorn one side of the temple wall, one guy even has his hand resting on an animal that kinda looks like a lion. 

There's some sort of a pattern here, the guy with the beast must be a figure of authority. Flanking him are two couples and then a solitary figure. They are so slender and graceful... they seem like a calm and beautiful race. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Other pictures in the Mahabalipuram series...

First Glance

Rock Elephant

Temple Carvings

Temple Entrance

Mahabalipuram: First Glance

The next few posts will feature pictures from my recent trip to Mahabalipuram, which is famous for its shore temples and other massive carvings by an ancient race called the Pallavas that ruled the region in the 7th century. These ancient monuments are mostly rock cut and monolithic, depicting various gods and the people of that era. It must have taken many men working patiently together to create these awe inducing relics of an ancient civilization. 

A Hindu Festival...

So it's the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and at every corner you see Ganesh idols like this. This festival goes on for ten days and there is a lot of dancing and drama on the streets. He is the elephant headed god, history has it that Lord Shiva (Ganesh's father) accidentally beheaded his son and then replaced his head with that of an elephant's. As usual click on the picture for a larger view.

A Hindu Goddess

So this temple festival is going on near my place, this four handed goddess made of serial lights marks the road that leads to the temple. This goddess called Mariamman (Mother Mari) is the goddess of disease and rain. At her festival, the devotees walk on burning hot coals to prove their undying devotion to her.