Mamallapuram

Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India – 2010. Following the Habitat Global Village build we spent two days in Mamallapuram, a seaside town about 60km south of Chennai. Mamallapuram has a nice beach, many ancient temples and a crocodile farm. It is a popular tourist destination because of the many ancient temples, the beach and its proximity to Chennai.
The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
This temple was constricted in the 8th century
The beach and fishing boats, Mahabalipuram
Beach restaurants and guest houses. Many of these buildings were damaged as a result of the 2004 tsunami but most are now back to normal.
The beach and fishing boats, Mahabalipuram
Gharial crocodile at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology
Jaws III, a 30 year old salt water crocodile – 4.85 meters (16’) long and 575kg (1,265 lbs)
African Slender-snouted crocodile - Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
African Slender-snouted crocodile - Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus Palustris). The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu India
Mamallapuram is known for its many temples and its local stone carving artists. There are many roadside shops with fantastic carvings
Souvenir vendors on the beach
The new light house (Built 1900) – Mamallapuram
Mahishamadhini cave (7th century) The Goddess Mahishamadhini in her battle with Mahisha
Mahishamadhini cave – Seshasayi Vishnu lying on the couch of the five headed serpent
View from the old lighthouse looking inland
An incomplete carving
Lord Siva at the Valian Kuttai Ratha & Pidari Ratha on the western outskirts of Mahabalipuram
Valian Kuttai Ratha – each of these Rathas was carved from a single piece of rock
Lotus flower, Valian Kuttai Ratha
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