| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Descent_of_the_Ganges_01.jpg) | |
| Location | Mahabalipuram, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Part of | Main complex of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (vi) |
| Reference | 249-001 |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| Coordinates | 12°37′03″N 80°11′56″E / 12.61750°N 80.19889°E |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:India_Tamil_Nadu_relief_map.svg)  Location of Descent of the Ganges in Tamil Nadu &sq=&lang=&file=File:India_relief_location_map.jpg) Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram) (India) | |
Descent of the Ganges, known locally as Arjuna's Penance,[1][2] is a monument at Mamallapuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Chengalpattu district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Measuring 96 by 43 feet (29 m × 13 m), it is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders. The legend depicted in the relief is the story of the descent of the sacred river Ganges to earth from the heavens led by Bhagiratha. The waters of the Ganges are believed to possess supernatural powers. The descent of the Ganges and Arjuna's Penance are portrayed in stone at the Pallava heritage site.[3][4] The relief is more of a canvas of Indian rock cut sculpture at its best not seen anywhere else in India.[5] It is one of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.[6]
- ^ The Rough Guide to India. Rough Guides UK. 20 January 2011. ISBN 978-1-4053-8847-4.
- ^ "Incredible India | Arjuna's Penance". www.incredibleindia.org. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ "The Descent of the Ganges – Story of Bhagirata". indiantemples.com. Retrieved 3 March 2007.
- ^ Upinder Singh (1 September 2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. pp. 634–. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- ^ "Mamallapuram – The Workshop of Pallavas – Part IV". Open Air Bas-Reliefs. Puratatva.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ "Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram". UNESCO. Retrieved 3 March 2007.