Mahishasuramardhini Cave
Short Overview:
Mahabalipuram contains 14 cave temples and several of these unique structures contain significant works of ancient art. One of them is Mahishasura Mardini Cave, which contains several beautiful reliefs well, demonstrating the artistic abilities of sculptors in Pallavas times. It is located at the base of diorite hillock, with another ancient structure called the Olakneswara Temple on top of this hill. It has two very beautifully carved frescoes of Durga, the mother goddess at both ends of the long hall of the cave. She is shown seated on lion her mount, or vehicle with all her weapons.
Long Overview:
The Mahishasuramardini cave temple consists of a long columned verandah with three sanctums. It takes its name from the large sculpture panel on its walls celebrating the feat of the goddess Durga (a form of the Mother Goddess Shakti) who slew the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. With its natural beauty and sense of movement, the bas-relief panel is a masterpiece of Indian art. It is located at the base of diorite hillock, with another ancient structure called the Olakneswara Temple on top of this hill.
Front part of the cave temple is adorned with four columns and two pilasters, floor and ceiling are not completed. Columns have different design, existing two central columns are different. Most likely this is explained by the attempt of Vaisnavites to remove them. One was really removed and was recently replaced by a low quality replica. The mandapa is one of the most important caves in Mahabalipuram. It is dedicated to the goddess Mahishasuramardini, who is considered an incarnation of the goddess Durga. The mandapa is carved into the granite rock face of a hill. The verandah cut at the cave entrance, long and calumniated, has a composition of three chambers. The artist successfully captures both the intense energy of the battle between the forces of excellent and evil and the contrasting serenity of the god in repose.
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