Who doesn’t love a great story? Now imagine, the story takes form of sculptures and caves – and 19 of them in the same vicinity. No wonder, Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
200-800 CE
The same ascetic, is believed by some historians to be Sage Bhagirath (ancestor of Ram) performing penance to seek Shiva’s help in bringing the River Ganga from the heavens to earth. Legend has it, that Bhagirath’s ancestors of the Ikshavu Dynasty were turned into ashes following the curse of sage Kapila (they had disturbed his meditation). The sage also gives an antidote to his curse – if the ashes of ancestors were immersed in the Ganga, their souls would attain Moksha. Bhagiratha’s penance has Shiva agreeing to bring Ganga down to earth through his hair-locks so as to tone down her vigour and size.
A third undertone of the narrative suggests how life or civilization began on the banks of a riverside.
India
How far back?
2020 | Present
