LIONS, Mamallapuram (2004.12.26) (Cave of the)

(Tirukalukundram - IN)
12.626400,80.172200
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The December 2004 tsunami revealed a man-made, monolithic Pallava period (7th to 8th century CE) 'cave temple' (man-made rock chamber used for religious purposes) excavated from a single, isolated boulder and charaterised by a -bear- (note 1) framing the entrance and holding, with it's fore paws on the lintel edges, the upright rectangular entrance from behind (ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA 2005.02.12, one monochrome photograph without scale) -- like chakra wheel holders do. The monolithic rock chamber proper is guarded by two lions, which, carved from their own isolated boulders, lie across sort of an ante- threshold at some distance in front of the temple (SCHMITT, C 2005, colour photograph). Both -lions- face away from the sea and towards the visitor approaching visitor arriving from the land.The December 2004 tsunami revealed a man-made, monolithic Pallava period (7th to 8th century CE) 'cave temple' (man-made rock chamber used for religious purposes) excavated from a single, isolated boulder and charaterised by a -bear- (note 1) framing the entrance and holding, with it's fore paws on the lintel edges, the upright rectangular entrance from behind (ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA 2005.02.12, one monochrome photograph without scale) -- like chakra wheel holders do. The monolithic rock chamber proper is guarded by two lions, which, carved from their own isolated boulders, lie across sort of an ante- threshold at some distance in front of the temple (SCHMITT, C 2005, colour photograph). Both -lions- face away from the sea and towards the visitor approaching visitor arriving from the land.

Documents

Bibliography 06/01/2018
  • Archaeological Survey of India 2005.02.12; Schmitt, Cosima 2005.

Histoire

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 700 ± 100 A.D. (7th to 8th century CE Pallava period): Rock chambers and monolithic temples were excavated. 2004.12.25: Buried under sand since centuries. 2004.12.26: A tsunami crashed into southern India and unearthed a monolithic 'stone house' (rock cut chamber excavated from one single, isolated granite boulder) characterized by two granite lions (NAVHIND TIMES 2005.02.12, frontpage). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Cavités proche

Distance (km)NomLongueur (m)Profondeur (m)
0.0MAHISHASURAMARDINI CAVE
0.0TRIMURTI RATHA, Mamallapuram
0.0VARAHA CAVE, Mamallapuram
0.0Olakkanneshwara Temple
0.0KOTIKAL MANDAPAM
0.0KRISHNA MANDAPAM
0.0GANESH CAVE, Mamallapuram
0.0GOPI's CAVE, Mamallapuram
0.0KONERI PALLAM CAVE, Mamallapuram