The annual Dance Festival at the heritage and tourist town of Mammallapuram, 50 kms from Chennai has begun and dance recitals are held every evening.

Leading dancers and troupes are featured here.

The famed Arjuna's Penance bas relief, a stunning work on stone of the Pallava heydays forms the backdrop for this dance fest.

Two recitals are held every evening and they will be on till the harvest fest of Pongal.

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Dept and Corporation has hosted this festival.

Since this is a heritage-seaside and tourist space and thousands of people visit it at this time of the year, the fest is a special attraction, especially for foreaigners.