Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram

Mandapa of Krishna[1] or Krishna Mandapam[2] is a monument at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India.[3] It is part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1984.[1] It is located on a hillock next to the open rock relief of Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram).[4]

Krishna Mandapam
Krishna Mandapam
Entrance to the Krishna Mandapa
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKancheepuram district
DeityLord Krishna
Location
LocationMamallapuram
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram is located in Tamil Nadu
Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram
Location of
Geographic coordinates12.6167°N 80.1917°E / 12.6167; 80.1917
Architecture
CreatorPallava dynasty
CompletedMid-7th century
Temple(s)1
InscriptionsInscribed in 1984 under Asia-Pacific of UNESCO

It is constituted by an originally open-air bas-relief dedicated to Krishna, dating to the mid-seventh century, which was later enclosed within a mandapa in the 16th century during the Vijayanagara Empire.[3] Notable carvings inside are sculpted panels that bring out the story of Krishna lifting the Govardhana Hill to protect the cowherds and gopis (milk maids) from heavy rains and floods – the "most poetic and endearing" Indian or Angkor sculpture-based representation of this legend[5] – and there are also scenes of Krishna frolicking with the milk maids.[6][7]

Layout

The building facing east has a length of 29 feet (8.8 m) and height of 12 feet (3.7 m). It is a pillared mandapa.[8]

Sculpture
Main article: Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram
A relief on the rock face of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill in the Krishna Mandapa
Krishna Mandapa Bas Relief

The structure shelters nine reliefs carved on the rock surfaces, all dated to the 7th century but further refurbished with additions made in the 16th century.

One prominent relief depicts Krishna lifting the Govardhana Hill on the finger of his left hand to save the people from a deluge caused by rains showered by Indra. People with their cattle are shown taking shelter under the mountain. The story related to this depiction is linked to Indra. Indra was annoyed with the people of the village (now Mathura) as they had discontinued celebration of a festival in his honour. He created a huge storm with heavy rainshowers, threatening the life of the villagers. Krishna, who was from the same village, lifted the Govardhana Hill (near Mathura), creating an umbrella of protection and saving the village, its people, and the cowherds. In this relief, Krishna is flanked by three females to his right; one of them is inferred as Radha, his childhood lover, as she is shown wearing a kirita makuta crown, a breast band, and many ornaments. On his right stand two figures, one male and one female. In addition, there are several other images in the panel of animals and village folk.[8][9]

In another relief, Krishna is shown in a joyous mood with his gopis (milkmaids), a reflection of his double role as a divine being.[9][10][11]

Other reliefs carved on the walls of the cave depict: an elderly person carrying a child on his shoulders, a village scene of cowherds milking a cow with the cow licking the calf; the gopis with water pots on their heads amidst a cowherd playing a flute; a woodcutter walking with an axe and a lady carrying a milk pot and a rolled mat or bundle of grass; and a child hugging her mother.[9] Krishna's fresco also shows him playing a flute in the fields. The panel further depicts a standing bull, which is perfectly carved by the Pallava artists. In particular, the carvings in the Krishna cave are reported to be very realistic reinterpretations of themes from the Hindu epics.[12]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Krishna Mandapam.
  1. "Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram". World Heritage. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  2. Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. India: Sura Books. p. 28.
  3. "General view of the entrance to the Varaha Cave Temple, Mamallapuram". British Library. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  4. Michell, George (1977). The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms. University of Chicago Press. pp. 81–. ISBN 978-0-226-53230-1. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  5. Jāvīd, ʻAlī; Javeed, Tabassum (2008). World Heritage Monuments and Related Edifices in India (500 B/W illustr.). Algora Publishing. p. 171. ISBN 9780875864846.
  6. Bruyn, Pippa de; Bain, Keith; Allardice, David; Shonar Joshi (18 February 2010). Frommer's India. John Wiley & Sons. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-470-64580-2. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  7. "General view of the entrance to the Krishna Mandapa, Mamallapuram". Online Gallery of British Library. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  8. "Mahabalipuram – The Workshop of Pallavas – Part IV". Open Air Bas-Reliefs. Puratatva.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  9. "World Heritage Sites – Mahabalipuram – Monolithic Temples". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  10. "General view of the entrance to the Krishna Mandapa, Mamallapuram". Online Gallery of British Library. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  11. "Sights in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)". Lonely planet. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  12. Kapoor, Subodh (2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia: Mahi-Mewat. Cosmo. pp. 4545–. ISBN 978-81-7755-272-0. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
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