MAMALLAPURAM, INDIA, May 28, 2024 (YouTube): On the shores of Tamil Nadu, on the eastern coast of peninsular India, is a marvelous town of temples, carved out of the rock. Mamallapuram was one of the greatest sea-faring ports of ancient times. Ships sailed constantly from here to Sri Lanka, South East Asia and China. Here, over perhaps a hundred years, from about 630 to 728 CE, beautiful monuments were cut out of outcrops of hard gray granite. Cliff faces were transformed into a teeming world of animals and people. Boulders were carved into fine temples and rocks were chiseled into the shapes of animals. Mamallapuram is indeed an enchanted place.

The 7th and 8th centuries at Mamallapuram are a remarkable time. The humanistic and naturalistic qualities of ancient art are continued here in the rock-cut sculpture. At the same time, we see here the beginning of structural temples. At Mamallapuram, we also see the start of royal patronage of temple-building and the earliest royal portraits.

Mamallapuram video with an introduction by historian Behl at source:
https://youtu.be/5yrZg1q1m8k?si=96wQgJ70mjJ96boK&t=695

Post Views: 43