Friday, September 27, 2013

My first tourist destination

Being a Chennaitie, my first tourist destination outside Chennai is perhaps Mahabs.  But Mamallapuram being my ancestor’s town I could not consider it as a tourist destination first and I have been there countless time and many a visit to the town has sighted in any of the sculpture site. My most favorite place then at Mamallapuram was Venna Tharatna Kal (butter ball) and we frequent there esp. to have fun sliding on the rock slopes.

Cheese ball
Krishna’s Butter Ball is a natural wonder, where a large rock boulder balance on the sliding rock surface is believed as a stone found on Krishna’s plate. The Pallava kings had tried to pull down the huge boulder with the help of their elephant force (thinking anytime the rock could roll down) but failed in their attempt. The lush green lawn in front of this rock (once an open ground for cattle to rest) take  one for pleasant calm and as a group to sit and chit chat.

I have been strolled behind the rock slopes and crossing the gaps between rocks and there was a well with green water, which was called Sita Kinaru (well) because it is believed that Sita bathed in that well. I have no pictures on them, but I still hold memories on those sight and there was also a path lead to our relative’s house then. I hope everything were blocked and fenced by ASI, doing wonderful job in protecting the sculptors and rocks. We never thought then these places will take such pleasant enhancement and flourish in green.

Arjunan Penance
Another place I liked and which is close to butter ball was Arjunan Penance. It is a giant bas-relief filled with marvelous carvings of various human forms and animals; the most fascinating part overall for me personally then were the Elephants. The sculptor of elephant couple and cute calves carved on the bottom of the bas-relief could be a favorite sight for any child and the pit reveal the bottom part was something dragged me then to look what is inside.

Monkey, looks for lice
Another pretty scene next to this site was a sculptor of monkey looking lice on another. As kids (me and my bro) we used to go and stand behind the sculptor and pose like looking lice on the monkey sculpture. Beneath the monkeys, there’s a small slide to play and a rock carved steps to climb on, but I don't like it much as the natural sliding near the butter ball. The slide was partially hid now after the earth rose because of the lawn making.

Footnote:

Just thought to write something for the World Tourism Day today and here’s a brief account on my first tourist destination out of Chennai.

15 comments:

ashok said...

nice post Jeevan...

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love the monkey sculptures. And Krishna’s Butter Ball is amazing!! It looks like it's gonna roll off of there. Eeek!

TexWisGirl said...

the carvings are always so beautiful to me, but i have to say, that huge boulder perched up there is a marvel to see! love it!

Pooja Mittal said...

I love historical places, i never knew these destinations.. I think i need to visit south india soon..
Keep in touch,
www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com

Renu said...

Beautiful pictures and loved the description..I envy those people who are lucky enough to live near such places.

Indrani said...

It is a wonderful place, I was there some years back. Great shots!

Destination Infinity said...

When I was young, I have gone to this place (school excursion), but never liked sculpture and such stuff. But I am appreciating this location more now, because now I know some of its history.

I admire the skills/determination of Pallavas as early as the 7th Century. Makes me wonder: If we could get some of that spirit back, how wonderful modern India will be!

Destination Infinity

Karen Lakis said...

Such an interesting place! That huge rock boulder would be amazing to see!

Rajesh said...

Great shots from the historical place.

deeps said...

such a lovely place...
Butter Ball is really awesome...

Anonymous said...

Been a while since I was here, Jeevan; I hope you have been well.

Nice post by the way - as always sprinkled with a generous dose of photographs to enhance the reading experience. Cheers!

Betty Manousos said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Twilight Man said...

The rock boulder is so huge. Nature's wonderful at times. Will you ever come to visit Malaysia? It is a nice country.

Ponniyinselvan/karthikeyan(1981-2005 ) said...

Ever green place.

Priya said...

Totally awesome post.