Mamallapuram Mukunda Nayanar Temple

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Site Name: Mukunda Nayanar Temple
Site Type: Pallava architecture, structural temple
Location:  2 kms from bus stand, near Light house, Mamallapuram, near Chennai (55 kms from Chennai), Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: A little known Pallava period monument
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai
Hotel: A lot of options are available within Mamallapuram and East Coast Road outside the town
Restaurants: Many options and varieties across the town
Mukunda Nayanar temple is a least visited monument in Mamallapuram, the city of monuments in South India. Once you enter into the Mamallapuram town from the neary Chennai city, this is the first monument found. As all other popular and important monuments are located at the heart of the town, no one visits this monument that lies at the border.

Mukunda Nayanar temple is a small structural temple, which is believed to have been built by Rajasimha Pallava. It was buried under the sand and was excavated few decades back. The inner shrine has a sculputral panel of Somaskanda - Shiva, Parvati and baby Skanda with Vishnu and Brahma behind them. The front side mandapa is supported by two cirular pillars and two pilasters. The temple has an octagonal tower.

This small but important monument of Mamallapuram always remains closed. It would be better if the Government makes arrangement for tourists to visit this monument like other important monuments of the town.

Happy travelling.

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