Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

2271 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Early medieval · Hindu · India

Krishna Mandapam

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu · 12.6167°, 80.1917°

KrishnaPallavaPallava
Sacred since
600 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
mid-7th c. (Pallava); mandapa added 16th c.
Pallava

History & significance

A rock-cut relief panel at Mahabalipuram carved in the mid-7th century under the Pallavas, showing Krishna raising Govardhana amid scenes of cowherd village life. A pillared mandapa was built in front of it in the 16th century under the Vijayanagara empire.

Sthala katha — the legend

The relief depicts Krishna lifting the Govardhana hill on one finger to shelter the cowherds from the deluge sent by Indra.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Pallava