The town of Mamallapuram, located in Tamil Nadu, is speculated to be the next site for the second informal summit between India and China. Aside from discussions on diplomatic matters, both nation’s leaders are anticipated to tour the ancient monuments situated within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event follows a similar pattern to the first informal summit conducted in Wuhan, China, in April 2018 where the leaders paid a visit to the Hubei provincial museum. Notably, Mamallapuram recently served as the host city for the Defence Expo 2018, a yearly occasion being operated by the Union Defence Ministry.
About Mamallapuram
Also referred to as Mahabalipuram or Seven Pagodas, Mamallapuram sits along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, lying 60 km south of Chennai. The religious hub of this town was established by a 7th-century Hindu Pallava King, Narasimhavarman, better known as Mamalla. His name is the reason the town is known as Mamallapuram. The settlement houses numerous preserved 7th- and 8th-century Pallava temples and monuments.
Main Attractions in Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram’s key attractions include the sculptured rock relief popularly recognized as “Arjuna’s Penance” or “Descent of the Ganges”, and a series of sculptured cave temples. Furthermore, there is also a Shiva temple situated by the seashore.
The area includes the Five Rathas, or monolithic temples, remnants of seven temples which led to the town acquiring the alias Seven Pagodas. The aggregation of these monuments and temples earned the town a spot in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984.
Some Key Facts About Mamallapuram
| Name Variants | Mahabalipuram, Seven Pagodas |
|---|---|
| Location | 60 km south of Chennai, along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal |
| Founded By | 7th-century Hindu Pallava King Narasimhavarman (Mamalla) |
| Key Attractions | Arjuna’s Penance, Descent of the Ganges, Shiva temple, Five Rathas |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | Designated in 1984 |
Mamallapuram in Recent Events
Mamallapuram has not only been a site for tourists and history enthusiasts but also a point of interest for defense and diplomatic events. It hosted the Defence Expo 2018, an annual event managed by the Union Defence Ministry. Moreover, its historic and cultural richness makes it an ideal backdrop for important diplomatic discussions, such as the anticipated second informal India-China Summit.
