Trip to Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu on December 5, 2007
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam
This is a unique
mandapam in Mahabalipuram, for all the figures sculpted in this cave reflect
the social life of those days. Wild animals - a few lion and monkey sculptures
have been sculpted on the left wall. On the main wall one can see
dance figures, a bull, a cow licking its calf as a cowherd is milking the
cow, a woman holding a bundle of hay on her head and a uri in her right
hand (three pots placed one on top of another tied to together with a rope)
followed by a man, a woman with her child, a man playing the flute, a royal
couple, Krishna lifting the Govardhana hill protecting the village folk
from the heavy downpour of rain. All the gaps have been filled skillfully
by sculpting heads of cows in different angles. On the right extreme
is a Nandi figure resting high on the wall.
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Three rows of pillars, with seated lion or square base
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Lion and monkey sculptures on the side wall to our left
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Pillar with sculpted square base
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Pillar with sculpted square base
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Dance figures, bull with a calf. Gaps have been filled skillfully by sculpting heads of cows in different angles
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
a woman holding a bundle of hay on her head and a uri in her right hand
(three pots placed one on top of another tied to together with a rope)
followed by a man, a cow licking its calf as a cowherd is milking the
cow, a woman with her child, a man playing the flute, a royal couple
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Krishna lifting the Govardhana hill protecting the village folk from the heavy downpour of rain
Govardhana / Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Nandi figure resting high on the wall to our right
Dr.Swaminathan, retired professor from IIT Delhi had organized a trip
to Mahabalipuram to understand and appreciate better the great art
treasures gifted to us by the Pallavas.
We visited only a few mandapams and caves, but at every spot
Mr.Swaminathan shared with us details such as - the Pallava kings who
had contributed, the structural variations / refinement that can be
observed in the structures belonging to different periods. And sadly,
also the vandalism - mostly broken noses, attempt to project a Siva
temple as a Vishnu temple or vice versa and also an attempt by the kings
to take credit without contributing. Since several Pallava rulers seem
to have shared the same titles, that further adds to the confusion.
Mr.Swaminathan first gave a general introduction to the temple
architecture and sculpture - the different styles of rock architecture
seen at Mahabalipuram - the monoliths, cave mandapams, structural
temple, bas relief.
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