Arjuna's Penance
Arjuna's Penance
4.5
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This bas-relief with life-size images from a mythical story adorns a huge rock.
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4.5
740 reviews
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35
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JuliaUnka
Auckland, New Zealand74 contributions
Jan 2020
A wonderful work of art and history. It is a sample of great craftsmanship, the figures of the elephants with a tiny baby elephant under them. A yoga pose, so many intriguing different carvings. The longer you look at it the more intriguing it becomes.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShikshaC
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India2,070 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
This particular monument has several carvings and several stories built into one structure. It is not allowed to go inside it’s premises and it can be seen at any time of the day from the road. Good place to explore.
Written 13 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna_in_India
New York City, NY603 contributions
Dec 2019
The pride of Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram is Bhagiratha's Penance, more commonly known as Arjuna's Penance or the Descent of the Ganges. Sculpted on the face of two adjacent rocks, at 27m X 9m it is the world's largest bas-relief. The panel depicts gods, saints, animals, and birds, watching the Ganges descent from the Himalayas. The sculptures are really wonderful - particularly the elephants and monkeys.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siddhartha
Kolkata (Calcutta), India1,340 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This is one of best and beautiful carving in single stone. Arjuna's Penance depicts the story of "Arjuna" which is major attraction. The carvings are around 1500 years old and beautiful imagination of Pallav dynasty.
Entry fees of this place â‚ą40 for Indian. You can also buy ticket online. This ticket is validity to enter all monuments on same day. This place is open for 10 AM to 9 PM.
Entry fees of this place â‚ą40 for Indian. You can also buy ticket online. This ticket is validity to enter all monuments on same day. This place is open for 10 AM to 9 PM.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaëtan L
Paris, France29 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Remarkable historic site worth the detour from Chennai or Pondicherry. Combined ticket for the 3 sites (Arjuna's Penance + Shore Temple + Five Rathas) to be purchased before the visit for only 600 INR.
We advise you to start with the Shore Temple, continue with Arjuna's Penance and then finish with the Five Rathas. The 3 sites are separated by one kilometer, so it is advisable to travel by taxi/tuktuk between each site, especially in case of high heat (road in full sun).
Indeed, our taxi dropped us off at Arjuna's Penance, where we quickly met a local, "stone cutter", speaking French very well, who advised us to start with Arjuna's Penance and not by the Shore Temple (contrary to our paper guide); We understood in the end why. The latter began to follow us on the site and explain to us the history of the site. He insisted, telling us that he was not a guide, and that he enjoyed practicing his French and sharing his knowledge, all for free. At the end of the visit, he suggested that we go to his store, insisting that there was no obligation to purchase. He had been particularly kind and we did not dare refuse his proposal, out of politeness. We also thought it would be an opportunity to buy a souvenir and thank him for his explanations and the time he had given us. We therefore bought some souvenirs from him, after significant negotiations (the prices seemed particularly high for the country).
Going to the Shore Temple afterwards, we discovered multiple souvenir stands, 10 times cheaper than what we had paid after the negotiation phase (already very important). It left us with a bitter taste.
Our advice therefore: start with the Shore Temple to get an idea of the price of souvenirs (around 150 INR for a small elephant VS 2600 INR), do not buy from the first comer and follow your paper guide which often offers complete explanations of the place ( which can be supplemented by the explanation panels in English)
We advise you to start with the Shore Temple, continue with Arjuna's Penance and then finish with the Five Rathas. The 3 sites are separated by one kilometer, so it is advisable to travel by taxi/tuktuk between each site, especially in case of high heat (road in full sun).
Indeed, our taxi dropped us off at Arjuna's Penance, where we quickly met a local, "stone cutter", speaking French very well, who advised us to start with Arjuna's Penance and not by the Shore Temple (contrary to our paper guide); We understood in the end why. The latter began to follow us on the site and explain to us the history of the site. He insisted, telling us that he was not a guide, and that he enjoyed practicing his French and sharing his knowledge, all for free. At the end of the visit, he suggested that we go to his store, insisting that there was no obligation to purchase. He had been particularly kind and we did not dare refuse his proposal, out of politeness. We also thought it would be an opportunity to buy a souvenir and thank him for his explanations and the time he had given us. We therefore bought some souvenirs from him, after significant negotiations (the prices seemed particularly high for the country).
Going to the Shore Temple afterwards, we discovered multiple souvenir stands, 10 times cheaper than what we had paid after the negotiation phase (already very important). It left us with a bitter taste.
Our advice therefore: start with the Shore Temple to get an idea of the price of souvenirs (around 150 INR for a small elephant VS 2600 INR), do not buy from the first comer and follow your paper guide which often offers complete explanations of the place ( which can be supplemented by the explanation panels in English)
Written 26 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love to Travel
Potters Bar, UK804 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
This is one of the largest monolithic carvings.
I am told it depicts life on earth to the left and then across the 'river ganges', on the right life in heaven.
It was a shame that when I visited, like so many of the other temples I have seen that the right half was covered in scaffolding and therefore difficult to appreciate
I am told it depicts life on earth to the left and then across the 'river ganges', on the right life in heaven.
It was a shame that when I visited, like so many of the other temples I have seen that the right half was covered in scaffolding and therefore difficult to appreciate
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaithiliSave
Mumbai, India201 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
It’s worth visiting this place. It is one of the monuments in Mahabalipuram. Carvings are really beautiful. Avoid public holidays. It was too crowded when we visited on local festival public holiday. We couldn’t take proper pictures. Do hire a guide to know the history and significance of it. There are government authorized guides available. It will take around 10-15 mins to see this place. Entry fee is just Rs40 which is for all monuments nearby.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aditya_salian
Bengaluru, India625 contributions
Jan 2021
Its a huge rock face covered with hundreds of carvings. The family of elephants are the most prominent, but there are many more and each has its own story.
The rock face is in the same location as 'Krishna Butterball' and we hired a local guide to help us understand the history a little better. I feel hiring a local guide is a good option as they can make the entire visit a lot more informative and interesting. The place is definitely a must visit if you are in Mahabalipuram.
The rock face is in the same location as 'Krishna Butterball' and we hired a local guide to help us understand the history a little better. I feel hiring a local guide is a good option as they can make the entire visit a lot more informative and interesting. The place is definitely a must visit if you are in Mahabalipuram.
Written 9 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uma Shankar
Bengaluru, India101 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Mahabalipuram also known as mamalipuram.
The major attraction is Arjuna penance.
There are rock carvings and cutting which has Arjuna penance. Draupadi's snanagar. And best thing to watch out is butter stone which is so huge but is not falling down the slope where is it only supported by a small touchpoint.
The major attraction is Arjuna penance.
There are rock carvings and cutting which has Arjuna penance. Draupadi's snanagar. And best thing to watch out is butter stone which is so huge but is not falling down the slope where is it only supported by a small touchpoint.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ria1104
Kolkata (Calcutta), India679 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We saw this while driving past the monument towards Krishna's Butter Ball. The carvings are indeed beautiful but I felt it does not have much to offer. You can stop by it for a few minutes, click some pics and then move on.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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