On the hill rests a dangerously balanced boulder named Krishna's Butterball after his legendary affinity for fresh butter.

In the Mahishasura Mardhini Mandapam are splendid sculptures of Goddess Durga fighting the evil buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. Lord Vishnu sleeping on the coils of Adishesh the serpent can be seen too.

Varaha the boar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is seen emerging from the sea clinging onto the rescued Earth Goddess in the Varaha Mandapam.

The five monolithic Rathas of Mamallapuram are named after the victorious Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharatha and their wife Draupadi. Though the temples are incomplete, they exude architectural brilliance of the Dravidian style, seen in the magnificent gopurams, Vimanas and carved walls. The majestic Lion, an Elephant and the sacred Nandi Bull guard the rathas.

People practice worship in the Trimurti Cave and the Adivaraha Temple. Beautiful sculptures of mythical creatures, monkeys and yalis cover the walls. The revival of the Pallava art and crafts can be seen in excellent replicas of ancient sculptures in granite, soapstone and marble at the Government School of Sculpture. You can buy these beautiful objects of art at various shops. Exquisite carvings in wood and dazzling jewellery are available too.

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