Mahabalipuram, now officially called Mamallapuram, is known for its cave temples and other historical monuments that take you to the glorious past of the region. The town flourished during the period of the Pallava rule.
Several monuments and temples were built here between the seventh and ninth centuries, which draw attention of the historians and art lovers to this place even to this day. The Krishna Cave Temple is one such marvel to be explored here.
Read More : Amazing Cave Temples Of India
The Krishna Cave Temple, or Krishna Mandapam, is the largest among the rock-cut cave temples in Mahabalipuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, and dates back to the mid-seventh century.
The temple is also one among the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, which is a World Heritage Site as declared by the UNESCO.
Architecture Of The Krishna Cave Temple In Mahabalipuram
The rock-cut cave temple is one among the ten such cave structures in Mahabalipuram. The temple is also the oldest cave temple of the region. The architecture of the cave is elegant and simple, with nine reliefs carved on the surface of the cave, some of them depicting events from Indian mythology.
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One of the reliefs is of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhana Hill. There are other images on the cave that include Lord Krishna in a playful mood with 'gopis', 'gopis' carrying water pots on their heads, and several other scenes from the Hindu mythology.
How To Reach The Krishna Cave Temple
The Krishna Cave Temple is located around 1 km away from Mahabalipuram town. The nearest railway station to the temple is Chengalpattu Railway Station, which is around 24 km away from the town. Here's how to reach Mahabalipuram.
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Other Tourist Attractions In Mahabalipuram
There are several other tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. They include Pancha Rathas, The Shore Temple, Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna's Butter Ball, Indian Seashell Museum and Mamallapuram Lighthouse.
Hotels In Mahabalipuram
There are many stay options in Mahabalipuram. The hotels and resorts here include Bay Treasure, Highland Shoreline and Radisson Blue Resort Temple Bay. For more hotels in Mahabalipuram, click here.