India: The Penance of Arjuna (Arjuna's Penance) rock-cut (7th century CE), Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu State

Arjuna's Penance (also known as 'Descent of the Ganges') is a giant rock cut relief depicting many semi-divine and divine creatures as well as deities and some very naturalistic depictions of animals. It dates from the 7th century CE.

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram (Tamil: மாமல்லபுரம்) is an ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport from as early as the 1st century CE.

By the 7th Century it was the main port city of the South Indian Pallava dynasty. The historic monuments seen today were built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries CE.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia