Indian Columbus

Mamallapuram, the crown jewel of Pallava architecture, is celebrated for its breathtaking monuments—the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, the Great Penance, and various other magnificent rock-cut caves adorned with intricate sculptures. While these architectural wonders are widely praised, the master sculptors who crafted them remain largely unknown to the public. However, their names are not lost to history; they are inscribed on boulders in Poonjeri, a lesser-known site located just 2.9 kilometers from Mallai. In a site what locals used to call “Nondi Veerappan Thotti,” in Poonjeri,  holds an inscription in Tamil and Grantha script, dating back to the late 7th century CE. These inscriptions, documented in the South Indian Inscriptions (SII) Volume XII, AR Nos. 105-107 of 1932-33, offer a rare glimpse into the identities of seven sculptors who played a crucial role in shaping Mamallapuram's legacy. The inscription reads: Ke(va)da Peruntaccan Gunamallah Payyamilippan Catamukkiya...

Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, Mallai, or Mahabs, carries different names based on personal preferences and traditions. This heritage-rich town boasts over 30 remarkable monuments, ranging from monumental relief panels and rock-cut shrines to cave temples and structural temples. It served as a creative playground for Pallava sculptors in the 7th and 8th centuries, showcasing many of the finest masterpieces of sculpture.  A trip to Tamil Nadu feels incomplete without experiencing the splendor of Mallai. However, this article moves beyond the artistic grandeur of Mallai’s monuments to highlight a sacred site—the Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple. The temple features numerous intricate bas-relief carvings that often go unnoticed. Sthala Sayana Perumal is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples revered by the Alwars. In this article, I will delve into every aspect of this revered shrine, including its legends, history, layout, architecture, and sculptures. Introduction Mama...

There is no limitation to the euphoria of Pallava sculptors. Hence, there is no end to the riddles in the form of exceptional monuments in Mamallapuram. Tri Murti Caves is another example of their unique experiments.  Being the most completed cave shrine among the Mamallapuram monuments, the west-facing Tri Murti Caves is one of the best creations of the Pallavas in the town. Architecturally, it differs from most of the other cave shrines. Unlike them, it does not have a pavilion in its front (Mukha mandapa).  All three shrines follow the common platform. The central shrine is given importance as it is slightly projected forward.  Tri Murti usually denotes three Supreme Deities, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. However, this temple has Subramanya instead of Brahma as the third deity. Subramanya  The northernmost shrine is dedicated to Subramanya. He is found in the form of Brahma Shasta. As per the legend, Subramanya took over the role of Brahma once. As he performed the ta...