Explained: How Mamallapuram became Mahabalipuram, regained old name | Explained News, The Indian Express

Explained: How Mamallapuram became Mahabalipuram, regained old name | Explained News, The Indian Express

Written by Arun Janardhanan |Chennai |Updated: October 11, 2019 2:22:02 pm

Explained: How Mamallapuram became Mahabalipuram, regained old name

S Swaminathan, author of Mamallapuram, a book on the architectural and sculptural achievements of the Pallavas, said Mamallapuram was the original name, even though the town is also called Mahabalipuram.

Stone carvings seen near the Arjuna’s Penance at the Mamallapuram heritage site. (PTI Photo: R Senthil Kumar)

The venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping over Friday and Saturday has been referred to, interchangeably, Mamallapuram and Mahabalipuram. It is 56 km to the south of Chennai on the coast. The Ministry of External Affairs’ media advisory mentions ‘Mahabalipuram’, and officials have been using that name in informal communication.