Mamallapuram being spruced up for  Xi, Modi meet 

Chennai: Ahead of the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping Mamallapuram is getting a major facelift, The meeting between Xi and Modi will be held from October 11 to 13.

Workers are toiling to ensure that the historical town is at its best. White paint markings on the road and the black and white paint on the medians or the cement road dividers are being painted.

Inside Mamallapuram, roads have been blacktopped, pavements and street lights are being repaired and branches of the trees on the roadside are being trimmed or cut near the town's entrance. Welcome banners have been put up along the stretch and the two hotels where the high profile guests are going to stay are tight-lipped about the itinerary. Security has also been beefed up.

It may be noted that Mamallapuram which was previously known as Mahabalipuram, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The meeting between Xi and Modi is expected to open the doors to explore the historical and cultural connection between Mamallapuram and China.

Mamallapuram is famous for its stone carvings and stone temples from the Pallava dynasty period.

Most of the monuments in this town were built during 630-670 AD the period of Narasimhavarman I.

The corridor has been cut off for public use and security beefed up in the city. All hotels, guests houses in the city are being scrutinised. Preventive arrests of history sheeters have been made. All those possessing guns have been asked to surrender them.

Mamallapuram is named after the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman-I. Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallavas around the sixth century and Mamallapuram was a major seaport. It was used to establish trade links with South-East Asian countries, including China.