Arjunas Penance
A
sculptured marvel at Mahabalipuram, often called "Arjuna's Penance",
is an enormous relief made on two huge boulders. One of the biggest open-air
rock canvases in the world, this bas-relief is 31m long and 9m high. The
surface of the rock has detailed carvings, showing the most endearing and
natural renditions of animals.
The Theme :
Critics are divided over the theme: one school believes that it shows
Arjuna undertaking a penance to obtain a rare weapon against his enemies.
The other believes that it depicts the legend of the River Ganges's descent
to earth. According to them, cleft appeared in the rock dividing the canvas
in two, when Shiva responded to Bhagirathas penance.
The Carvings On The Rock :
Arjuna's Penance, the exquisitely sculpted scene, which presents mans view
of the universe, has over 100 figures of gods and semi divine creatures,
birds and beasts, man and saint. All these figures are carved either facing
or approaching the fissure and generally with hands folded in adoration.
The cleft in the rock depicts the descent of River Ganga (also known as
Ganges), brought to earth by King Bhagiratha to redeem the cursed souls of
his ancestors. On the left side of the fissure can be seen a simple temple
which contains a four-armed deity, probably Shiva. The fissure is sculptured
with Nagas. Above the fissure and on either side of it are flying figures of
Gods and below are some sculptures of animals of which giant elephants are
the most impressive and are considered to be the noblest creations of the
human mind.
Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers and a consummate archer, is shown
standing on one leg, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva. There
is a forest with tribal people and all forms of animal life, just as they
would appear in their habitat. Women are clothed in an aura of indescribable
grace, a rich inner beauty transfiguring the plainest of them. The comic
scene in the relief will amuse visitors where a cat is standing doing
penance, while big and small rats are freely playing around the feline
'Tapaswi'.
A monkey family has also been depicted in a very exquisite and appealing
manner. In the liveliness of each figure, one can notice the intense and
naive love of life that characterizes the Buddhist art at Sanchi.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai,
located around 60-km away. One can get flights for almost all major
destinations in India and abroad.
Rail - The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu,
around 29-km away from Mahabalipuram. Trains for Chennai and several other
major cities in South India are available from here.
Road - Mahabalipuram is connected by road to Chennai,
Tirukkalikundram (Pakshithirtham), Kanchipuram (65-km), and Pondicherry.
Bharathiyar Illam
One
of the greatest Tamil poets, Subramanya Bharathi (also spelt as Bharti) was
born in Ettayapuram (around 600-km from Chennai), in 1882. He was skilled
enough to write verse even at the early age of seven. The last years of his
life were spent in a house in Triplicane, Chennai. This house was bought and
renovated by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1993 and named 'Bharathiyar
Illam' (Home of Bharathiyar). It is a must-see place for those eager to know
more about one of the greatest Indian poets ever.
It was opened to public on 2nd October 1993. The house takes us back to the
life and times of Mahakavi Bharathi. Photographs of Bharathiyar, his family,
and his friends are displayed here. His hand written verses are framed and
displayed. There is also a letter from Mahatma Gandhi (in Tamil) to mark the
occasion of the opening of Bharathiyar Mani Mandapam in Ettayapuram, in
1947. Bharathiyar's letters to his friend Nellaiappar are also displayed.
How to get there ?
Air - Chennai has an airport with both domestic and
international terminals. Regular flights connect Chennai with the major
cities within the country and also with countries like USA, Singapore, U.K,
etc.
Rail - Chennai is well connected by rail with the
important towns and cities within and beyond the state.
Road - State transport buses and private buses connect
Chennai with the major towns and cities within the country. For local
transportation local trains, city buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are
available.
Genji / Gingee Fort
Gingee
also pronounced, as "Shingee" is 37-km east of Thiruvannamalai.
Gingee is famous for a fort complex dating back to 13th century, located on
the 3 different hill summit covering 3-km boundary area. The Chola Dynasty
built Gingee fort. The indomitable courage and valour of its erstwhile
rulers made Father Pinments, a priest to call the Gingee Fort the "Troy
of the East".
History Of The Fort The Gingee has an interesting history from 1383 to
1780, which is full of ups and downs. The Vijayanagar emperors, Marathas and
the Mughals occupied it after the Cholas and it was in the hands of the
French and British rulers also for sometime.
In 1638, Gingee went under control of Bijapur Sultanate from the hold of
the Vijayanagar emperors. Then it went to Maratha hero Shivaji in 1677, to
Mughal in 1690, to French in 1750 and to British in 1762. In Mughal period,
Gingee became the head quarter of Arcot. In 18th century French occupied
Gingee and kept it under occupation for 11 years, many of its sculptural
antics of Gingee were then shifted to Pondicherry by them.
The fort of Gingee is really worth seeing. The historical monuments speak
volumes about the past glory.
A Magnificent Fortress :
According to a legend the name Gingee or Senji is derived from "Senji
Amman", a virgin Goddess.
The massive walls of Gingee fort interconnect the 3 inaccessible hills-
Krishnagiri, Chandrayandurg and Rajagiri. The three hills are disposed in
the form of a triangle, while the main wall connecting is 20 meters thick.
The top of the three hills form impregnable citadels, while the inner fort
contains many fortifications and gates.
Attractions Within The Fort :
One has to pass through an uneven flight of steps along the rocky hill
track, which may make the visit to the fort a bit difficult. The fort houses
a Gymnasium, audience hall, stable, palace, clock tower, granary, treasury
in Indo-Islamic style, store-house for grains and the Elephants tank.
Kalyana Mahal - Kalyana Mahal is one of the most
attractive ruins in the fort. It was built in the Indo-Islamic style and
consists of a square court, surrounded by rooms for the ladies of the
Governor's household. In the middle of this court, is a 27 metre high square
tower, built of stone and has a puramidal roof.
Barracks And Stables - On the western side of the Kalyana
Mahal one can see a series of low vaulted and arched cells that are referred
to as the Barracks and Stables, but now it has been converted into
Archaeological Conservation Training camp.
Gymnasium And Granary - It is the largest granary built
in stone with a spacious entrance passage. The walls are nearly 2 metres
thick. A stone structure, with barrel-vaulted roof, found on the
Northern-Eastern side of the granary is said to be the Gymnasium.
Sad-At-Ullam Khan Mosque - Sad-at-Ullam Khan Mosque
located at the entrance of the inner fort of Rajagiri was erected by
Sad-at-Ullah Khan to commemorate his victory over De Singh and the capture
of the fort in 1713 AD. According to a Persian inscription found here, the
mosque is said to have been constructed in 1717-1718 AD.
Vekataramana Temple - Vekataramana
Temple is the largest temple in Gingee, which was built by Muthiah Nayaka in
1550 AD.
Prisoner's Well - Situated behind the Chakkaraikulam on
the Rajagiri hill, this low circulation brick well is said to be the place
where prisoners were thrown and left to die of starvation. Bathtubs with
continuous supply of water, a huge cannon on the top of the fort near
Chakrakulam-Kunda (reservoir) are a treasure for the tourists.
Other buildings and structures in the fort complex were raised by the
successive rulers of Gingee belonging to the Vijayanagar, Nayaka, Maratha,
Mughal, Carnatic Nawab, the French and British families during the period
from 1383 to 1780 AD.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport is at Chennai, which has both
national and international terminals.
Rail - The nearest railway station is at Tindivanam.
Road - Tourists can access Gingee from Tiruvannamalai,
from where there are buses almost every hour.
