Mahishasuramardini Cave
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Mahishasuramardini Cave is situated on a hill near Mamallapuram which houses wonderfully carved rock-cut shrines. It is also known as Mahishasuramardini Mandapa which has a long veranda and 2 impressive friezes which are situated at each end of it.
The panel to the right side houses the forbidding statue of Durga, which is known as the mother of the universe in Hindu mythology. She is depicted to be sitting astride on her Vahana, a lion and carrying a number of weapons in her hands.
She is in the process of killing a demon with a buffalo head, known as Mahisha, who has disturbed the peace and balance of the universe. The name Mahish-asura-mardini literally means ‘destroyer of Mahisha demon’.
At the other end of the veranda, there is a statue of Vishnu, husband of Durga, who is depicted to be sleeping peacefully on the bed of serpent, which is floating on the sea-of-eternity. A number of gods are shown to be gathered around him, appealing for the continuation of the creation process.
On the same hill, there is Adivarah Mandap, which contains several mythical scenes and sculpted figures. One huge panel depicts Vishnu as a gigantic-boar, the Adivarah.
Category: Caves
