On Sunday morning, I planned to visit another exotic abode Mahabalipuram. Located just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram was a flourishing port town of the Pal lava rulers of South India who chiseled in stone a fabulous open-air museum of sculptures under the vault of a burning sky.

I enrolled myself to a sightseeing tour that enable me to explore the city in a better way. The first place that I visited was Arjuna's Penance-Carved in relief on the face of a huge rock, Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the river Ganges, issuing from its source high in the Himalayas. It also shows deities, and other semi-divine creatures and fables from the Panchtantra.

Then I explored the various caves in Mahabalipuram. The Varaha Cave, a small rock-cut mandapam or the hall, is a faceted and finished gem with two incarnations of Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). Particularly noteworthy here are four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers. There is about them a mood of contemplative reverie, a lyrical softness and subtle grace totally at variance with the primordial machismo their role as guards of the gods imposes on them. The Dharmaraja Cave, built in the early seventh century, contains three empty shrines. The Mahisasurmardini Cave (mid-seventh century) has fine bas-reliefs on its panels of enduring beauty. The Somaskanda sculpture radiates peace, power, and wisdom while Lord Vishnu is shown in omniscient repose in a masterpiece of dhwani (the art of suggestion).

Oh yes! Shore temple is the most exotic temples in Mahabalipuram. My guide, told me that the shore temples were constructed in 7th century, during the reign of Rajasimha, and represent the final phase of Pallava art. These beautiful and romantic temples, ravaged by wind and sea, are so significant that they were given World Heritage listing, a few years ago. The two spires of the temples, contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu, and for Lord Shiva.

Another significant fact that I came to know was about the Mahabalipuram dance festival, is held every year from January 15 to February 15. During this period, dances from all over the country are staged, here, including Kathakali from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh, as well as tribal dances, puppet shows and classical and traditional music concerts.