Mamallapuram gets a facelift ahead of Modi-Xi informal summit

The famed Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram, a seaside heritage town 60 km south of Chennai, is being given a facelift as it gears up to host the leaders of the two of the most populace countries -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two leaders will have an informal summit at Mamallapuram from October 11 to 13.

The coastal town Mamallapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- famous for its stone carvings and stone temples of the Pallava dynasty period.

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

According to a report, workers are busy putting the white paint markings on the road and the black and white paint on the medians or the cement road dividers.

Inside Mamallapuram, roads have been black topped and the pavements and street lights are being repaired, the report added.

Welcome arches are also being put up -- one near the entry point of Mamallapuram and the other on the road to the five star Taj Fisherman`s Cove Resort & Spa at Kovalam some kilometres away from Mamallapuram.

Similarly, lawns are being laid near the Krishna`s Butter Ball and Shore Temple.

The police are also maintaining a strict vigil against any protests and as per reports, nine Tibetans, including writer Tenzin Tsundue were detained here on Sunday.