Since this blogger had been living under a rock(hehe) for a time that is beyond comprehension, this blog is going to start with a riddle to dust off the gravel.

What is a paleolithic man’s favourite Christmas Tree ornament?

-10 if you say stone flakes.

-5 and a slight giggle if you say Flintstone.

+50 if you say a Jingle Bell Rock.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Stone Faced Humour.

hehe.

As I awaken, from my bed-rock(hehe??), Imma take ye wee paleolithic descendants, back into a time where glory was set in stone and the tales of a rich culture were carved in granite, with whispers of the past heard in the waves crashing against the shore.

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the south of India. It is known mainly for its stone architecture that dates back to the 8th century AD, all built on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, which is one of the seas that surrounds the Indian Peninsula from the east.

The town was a port when a dynasty known as the Pallava dynasty ruled the south of India. The name Mamallapuram was actually given to the town, after a Pallava ruler, Narsimhavarman I who was also known as ‘Mamalla’ which means ‘The great wrestler’ in the Tamil language.

In this blog, Imma take ye lovelies to one of the most famous sites displaying the aforementioned stone architecture, which is bound to take you to a time shrouded in mystery and wonder.

Let’s go rock:)

hehe….

Here, we have the most iconic monument in Mahabalipuram, i.e. the Shore Temple.

It is a complex that consists of two temple towers and multiple structures adorning the premises such as small statues, fountains and boundary fences. The temple was built in the 8th century by King Narsimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty. It is built on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, hence its name, and there was a time when the sea could literally come at the doors of the temple. However, the temple premise has been properly fenced to avoid any damage to the structure and to preserve the architecture which is being done beautifully by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Shore Temple has some very interesting tales involving the wrath of Gods. So, back when it was built, the sea near the temple was a common route for European traders and explorers who depended on shore landmarks to navigate their route. Marco Polo and some other European sailors have described the Mahabalipuram Shore Temple as a landmark called ‘The Seven Pagodas’, owing to their pagoda-like shape.

Now, the catch is that this temple seen in the picture can only account for one pagoda, that is the taller temple tower, which got people thinking about the other six ‘pagodas’.

In Indian culture, our Gods are endowed with many human traits which perhaps makes them more approachable to their worshippers. However, the Mahabalipuram Shore Temple had to face the consequences of a God’s jealous wrath.

When the temple complex was built, the King of Hindu Gods, Lord Indra, got a wee bit jealous of how beautiful the city looked. He had the impression that a city as magnificent as Mahablipuram could surpass His heavenly kingdom and that would possibly threaten His position as the Supreme Ruler, so, he sent down a huge storm that caused six of the seven temples to submerge into the sea.

Centuries later, a tsunami in the Bay of Bengal exposed some parts of a temple tower from the depths of the sea which made people believe that the six temples are still submerged under the sea.

If I were a scuba diver, swimming away with mermaids, and I came across six huge temples staring down at me, I would be swallowing a lot of sea water, despite the apparatus.

Who’s gonna match my freak and do this?

hehe….

This is a close-up of the tallest temple tower. These structures are so old and carry the weight of so many changing tides and I’m in absolute awe of how intact they are, I mean, one can literally make out the individual carvings that make up the detailing of the towers and I think that really speaks about how skilful the architects were at the time.

Here is a glimpse of its sanctum sanctorum of the tallest tower. The area is out of bounds due to preservation efforts but the taller tower is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu, the Divine Saviour. I love the rustic rawness of the architecture. In the pillars framing the threshold of the sanctorum, one can see carvings of a being who is half snake and half man. In Indian culture, such beings are called nagas and they are very powerful and sacred. Snakes are very vital to Indian culture and we often worship snakes as they serve as mounts and guardians to many of our Gods. I love how every animal has a sacred place in Indian culture. It really makes one embrace our fellow Earth dwellers as one.

The smaller temple tower is dedicated to the God Shiva, the destroyer of all evil. The sanctum sanctorum depicts a stone freeze of the God Shiva with his consort, the Goddess Uma and their son, the God Skanda. It portrays Shiva as a family man which is quite a powerful and unique depiction.

Finally, here’s a view of the whole temple complex. The row of sculptures fencing the temple depicts a deity called Nandi, who is a Divine bull and the mount of the God Shiva. The path leading to the temple is lined with sculptures of Nandi as he is said to be the most ardent devotee of Shiva.

The site is still being excavated, with new structure emerging and adding to the pages that have been embedded in the sands of time.

This temple is one which really brings that sense of awe, taking one back to a time of magic, wonder and sheer architectural skill.

Finally, here’s a lizard, posing on the sand, chilling in the sea breeze.

He’s called Spike. He knows secrets.

Whose secrets?

Only Spike knows.

Shhhh.

hehe….

And that is a wrap,

Until next time.

Rock-A-Bye!