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Trip to Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu on December 5, 2007

Panchapandavar Mandapam

This is another incomplete mandapam. The Mandapam is at a height reached by a few small steps. There are two rows of pillars, the outer row of pillars have a sitting lion as the base.

Here, Mr.Swaminathan indicated the square cut marks that had been made, a stage in breaking up of the rocks. The passages on the sides of the mandapam indicate that a prakaram (the passage going round the garbagriham) was being excavated. The two sides passages have been carved out with a row of pillars in the middle.

Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
The side passage to our left
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
The side passage to our right. The square cut markings are visible on the wall - a process in breaking up the rocks. The pillars are also incomplete, criss-cross marks are visible on the surface
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
The front passage of the mandapam - the maha mandapam and the ardha mandapam with two rows of pillars
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
The square cut markings are visible on the wall - a process in breaking up the rocks
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
A pilaster (a half pillar adjoining the wall) with a sitting lion as the base
Panchapandavar Mandapam, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
The lion base of a pillar



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.