Dinesh Wagle on Nepali Society

Mahabalipuram has remained as the seaport of the Pallava kings. There must have been a Pallava palace in this town. Archeologists believe that this very place, of this lion sculpture and the platform, must have been the site of the palace. Nothing remains of the palace now.

The lion has been very beautifully carved out of a single stone. This is similar to the lion mount of Goddess Mahishamardhini nearby. The majestic lion is significantly portrayed as roaring, proclaiming as it were, the sovereign power of the Pallavas. It can be noticed that its back has been made flat to serve as a seat. This is believed to be the throne of the Pallavas.

Nearby is a trench, that according to the book, is “cut into solid bedrock, partitioned by brick walls.” A pair was in in intimate mood when I stepped up to see the trench.