Mamallapuram Dance Festival 2022

In India, dance has long played a significant role in both religion and culture. According to an Indian myth, dancing was created by the gods. Since dancing combines song, drama, shape, and line, it is one of the most revered Hindu arts.

Celebrating India's legacy, Tamil Nadu every year holds Mamallapuram Dance Festival.

Overview

Being a part of this old region, Tamil Nadu is no less lovely. It is worth your time and effort because it is dotted with temples and other historic landmarks. A visit here will leave you wanting more and with a delicious collection of happy and lovely memories to reflect on.

The events and festivals that take place yearly in this area are one of its most notable features. They are so remarkable that it wouldn't be incorrect to label them as cult events. The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is one such spectacular event. It is held at the Arjuna's Rock Sculpture in Mahabalipuram over the course of around twenty days. and a large crowd of residents and visitors congregate there to see the amazing performances put on by the artists.

Major Attractions

Mamallapuram is a very beautiful place with endless golden beaches, unceasing waves, a beautiful sky, and other things. It would be a great night to spend some sleepless nights among these lovely structures while taking in an extravaganza of dance and popular folk forms from all around the country. The decorations and props that entice every soul serve to enhance the festive's beauty.

Dancers from different regions of India offer entrancing performances that leave us spellbound. Through delicate dance forms, stories from Mahabharat, Rade Krishna, Valli Muruga, Shiva Shakthi, and other old tales are brought to life. Numerous dance styles, including Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Bhangra, and many more, are performed at the Mamallapuram Dance Festival.

History

The first time this dance festival was held was in 1992. It has always been run by the Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism with assistance from the Union Ministry of Tourism. Pallava art and culture from the seventh century are well-known at Mamallapuram. Some of the most talented classical dancers, including practitioners of the classical dance genres Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kathak, and Kathakali, adorn the event. The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is a must-attend event if you consider yourself to be a travel enthusiast and a dance enthusiast in any way.

Significance

One of its kind extravaganza of folk dance forms, the Mamallapuram Dance Festival is significant for multiple reasons. It is an event that attracts people from far distances and makes them witness the cultural and heritage beauty of the state of Tamil Nadu in general and that of Mahabalipuram in particular, thus helping the state in improving tourism. It also helps to provide the monuments with their due sanctity by making them come alive through festivity. Apart from the apparent benefits of the celebration of the Mamallapuram Dance festival, it helps in injecting the feeling of ‘unity in diversity' by bringing various folk dance forms on a common platform. While the dance forms also find a reason to remain alive and thrive with glory, it gives the visitors an incomparable experience of joy and captivation.

Festival 2022-2023 Dates

Organized by the Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu, The Mamallapuram Dance Festival will take place from Sunday, December 25, 2022, to Sunday, January 15, 2023. . Regarding the Mamallapuram Dance Festival ticket price, typically ranges from INR 100 to 200.

Other places to Visit

While enjoying the spectacular cultural dance forms, the below-listed places are a must visit

Varsha Cave

The Varaha Cave, a modest rock-cut mandapam with four panels of the legendary Pallava doorkeepers, all sporting an expression of holy pleasure, is one of Mahabalipuram's great attractions.

Arjuna's Penance

Arjuna's Penance, which might be the largest bas-relief in the entire world, is another draw.

Mahishamardini Cave

The Mahishamardini Cave is another location worth visiting; its walls shimmer in the weak light. It has a beautiful front mandapa with four pillars and triple cells.

Tiger Cave

Tiger Caves are located around 5 kilometers from Mahabalipuram and may have existed as early as the seventh century.

How to reach?

Air: The closest airport, Chennai (58km), has both domestic and international terminals. The numerous domestic flights connect Chennai with all the main Indian cities. There are international planes going to Chennai from many places in the world.

Rail: Chengalpattu (29 km) and Chennai are the closest stations (58km). One must travel by road from these stations to Mamallapuram.

Road: There are regular bus services to Mamallapuram from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Chennai. From Chennai, tourists can also hire a taxi.