A veshti-clad Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram). A two-day informal summit is said to be taking place between. The place chosen was the coastal town of Mahabalipuram which is about 50 km away from Chennai. Mahabalipuram is extremely famous for a group of monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monuments are the centre of tourists' attraction. Founded by the Pallava kings, the monuments have a history that dates back to the seventh and eighth centuries. They are said to have been carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast. They're known popularly for its majestic rathas, that are majorly, temples in the form of chariots and mandapas (cave sanctuaries). Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping Meet: Everything You Need to Know About Indian PM and Chinese President's Second Informal Meet at Mahabalipuram. 

Here Is The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram:

Five Rathas

Five Rathas as the name suggests are five chariot temples that are free-standing. They are located at the southern edge of Mamallapuram and there are about nine monolithic temples at Mahabalipuram. These rathas are named after Pandavas and their wife who were the heroes of epic Mahabharata.

Arjuna's Penance

The monument is said to be of about 27m x 9m which is the world's largest. It has over 100 sculptures of Gods, birds and beasts and saints and is also called as "Arjunan Penance".  This Bas- relief is the "Descent of the Ganges" referring to the legend of the king "Bhagiratha".

Shore Temples

The beautiful sculpture is built with granite blocks and is known to be one of the oldest temples in south India. Built in the latter half of the 7th century AD, the temple is beautifully placed on the shores overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Mahishamardini Cave

A mandapa surrounded by two large panels representing Seshasayi Vishnu and other Mahishamardhini, hence the name. The cave has a front of a beautiful mandapa.

Panchapandava Mandapa

This huge cave temple includes six lion pillars and similar pilasters at either end are finished. These pillars are decorated with lions and griffins with human riders.

Trimurthi Cave

This Triple celled temple with superstructure is believed to be dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the three gods of the Hindu pantheon looks incredibly beautiful.

Varah Cave

This breath-taking structure includes mandapa in the front has two lion- pillars and two pilasters. Beyond this in the centre, the cell is guarded by two dwarapalas.

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram [Watch Video]:

Mahabalipuram's Group of Monuments is one of the most famous historical architecture. The World Heritage Site is well connected to make it easy for tourists to travel to the place. The place is must-visit and should be in everyone's bucket list.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2019 06:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).