Mahabalipuram Temples

Here is the next post from the series “Temples: Architectural Wonders of India”!!!!

1. Shore Temple:

The Shore Temple was built in 700-728 AD. It is named so because it is located on the shore of Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram. This temple is under the possession of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of its creation, the site was a busy port during the reign of Narsivhavarman II of the Pallava Dynasty. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. It is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India. The structure of this temple appears like a Pagoda. It is said that the architecture of the Shore Temple was continued by the Cholas who ruled Tamil Nadu after defeating the Pallavas. Though the tsunami of 26 December 2004 that occurred in the Indian Ocean struck the temple and the surrounding garden, the Shore Temple was not badly damaged.

Pancha Ratha Temple:

Pancha Ratha (also known as Five Ratha or Pandav Ratha) is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal.  Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic India rock-cut architecture. The complex was carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narshimhavarman I (630–668 AD). This temple is under the possession of the Archaeological Survey of India. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex resembles a chariot (ratha), and each is carved over a single, long stone. The structures are named after the Pandavas i.e, Dharmaraj, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev and their wife Draupadi of epic Mahabharat.

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