Arjuna’s Penance - Monuments - Tamilnadu
Arjuna’s Penance is one among the famous bas reliefs of Mamallapuram which is situated quite close to the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The Arjuna’s Penance along with the Descendent of Ganga makes a group of monuments which were shaped onto two huge boulders and joined together. Depicting a hundred figures of birds, animals and gods on it, this monument was preserved for eternity.
According to legend, this was the same place where Arjuna of the Mahabharata epic prayed to Lord Shiva to attain a powerful weapon which enabled him as a winner in the battle of the Mahabharata. There are depictions of this story and that of how the River Ganga changed its course. Many photographs of this place can be seen in the internet and in magazines, but it is truly an experience in itself to behold something this wonderful through your own eyes.
How To Reach
By Air - The Chennai airport is at a distance of 58 kilometers from the Varaha cave monument.
By Rail - The nearest railway station is situated in Chennai at a distance of 45 kilometers from the monument.
By Road - Mahabalipuram is well connected by road and a number of public transports and taxi services which you can hire to reach the place.