Mamallapuram Dance Festival

Dedicated to: Indian classical dances
Duration: 4 week
Time: January - February
Place: Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
Organizer(s): Tamil Nadu Tourism Department

Apart from its temples that represent the architectural beauty of the ancient India, Mahabalipuram, a small city in Tamil Nadu, is also famous for its vibrant Mamallapuram Dance Festival. Indian classical dances including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali are performed in this festival, which is held annually, during the months of January and February. Apart from the classical dances, folk dances are also performed in the festival. The cultural event is promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. The four-week dance festival has evolved as one of the major cultural attractions of the southern state of India.

Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram, is chosen as the venue for Mamallapuram Dance Festival. The splendid backdrop provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures adds to the overall appeal of the dance festival as well as provides it with an aesthetic touch, which is truly native to the indigenous Indian culture. The artists perform on an open-air stage. The open theatre style ambience provides the perfect mood for the dancers to give their level best in the festival. Created about thirteen centuries ago, the open air stage is magnetically attractive, featuring its monolithic rock sculptures that date back to the Pallavas.

Apart from the dance festival, the ancient city of Mamallapuram is significant in its own terms. The shore temple, situated 58 km south of Chennai (the capital city of Tamil Nadu), catches the tourists' attraction, who come from different corners of the country and the world to witness the dance festival. The temple is renowned for its magnificent architectural beauty, with monolithic rock sculptures. The ancient city is made a beautiful tourist destination by the amalgamation of the old 7th and 8th century Pallava carvings, temples and wonderful beaches.