Mahabalipuram


Mahabalipuram


Mahabalipuram - the Shore Temple. Built between 700 and 728 AD by Pallav king Narsimhaverman I it is today a world heritage site. It consists of three shrines, two to Shiva and a central shrine having a reclining Vishnu made out a single rock. The sun rays enter the east and west facing shrines at sunrise and sunset. It is accepted that in ancient times there was a group of 7 such temples at this site which acted as landmarks for ships sailing in from East Asia as well as Europe for trade at ports all along this part of the coast.

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Mahabalipuram 2

The Pancha Ratha temple complex in Mahabalipuram is a beautiful example of temples cut out of solid rock. The temple complex, built in 7th century AD by Pallav kings Mahendraverman I and his son, could not be completed except for the first temple. It is a world heritage site.