Clamber up the hill (the one with the lighthouse) to see, on its southern side, two of the most beautiful rock-cut shrines of Mahabalipuram. The Adivaraha Mandap is an elegant shrine that has a simple facade with the famous lion-based Pallava pillars. On either side of the sanctuary are figures identified as and queens. A large panel depicts the incarnation of Vishnu as a gigantic boar, and Varaha, rescuing the earth depicted as a youthful woman) from the depths of a catastrophic flood. The scene is very calm, and especially tender is the careful way Varaha lifts the goddess above the swirling waters below.

The ahishamardini Mandap has a long verandah with three sanctums. There are two large friezes at both ends of the verandah, one of Vishnu sleeping on the sea of eternity, on his serpent bed (anant, infinity), while the gods assemble around him to request him to get on with creation. On the opposite side is a huge theatrical panel of the goddess astride her Ferocious (smiling) lion Vahana. She is attacking a bull-headed demon called Mahisha.

The mythdescribes how Mahisha had grown to be a terribly powerful force, up setting the balance of life. The gods, in desperation, pooled their resources together (the sun gave his ever-watchful eyes, the wind his swift feet, etc) and produced a per-goddess, young, beautiful, and invincible. She did what the male gods could not do, and subjugated Mahisha effortlessly. The great battle, witnessed by the gods, is narrated in this superb specimen of monumental Pallava sculpture.

By Pradeep Kanakarajan and Kumar Periasamy