Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Tamilnadu

Our Planet’s Landmarks Series #11

Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Tamilnadu

The symbolism of how a kingdom shows its domination hasn’t changed over the millennia. Ancient Egypt demonstrated their domination by building pyramids. The Qin Dynasty in China did so by building the Great Wall. And the Pallava kings from South India, by building Shore Temple.

One Temple Complex, or Seven?

Historical records show there were seven such temples in Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram). In fact, those days sailors called Mahabalipuram the Land of Seven Pagodas. Over the centuries, six of them have submerged as the water level in the Bay of Bengal rose.

The sea had receded a couple of kilometers after the disastrous tsunami of 2004. The eyewitness accounts confirmed seeing the ruins of some of these submerged temples.

Narasimhavarman II of Pallava Dynasty built the Shore Temple in early 8th century CE. Those days, the architectural norm of building temples was to carve them out of stone. The Shore Temple is a marked departure from that norm. It was the first structural temple built during those days. They used powdered limestone, eggshells, and palm sugar to cement the stone blocks.

One Temple, or Three?

Shore Temple actually is a group of three temples. The deity of the two larger gopurams (pyramidal structures) is Lord Shiva. And the deity of the third, the smallest, is Lord Vishnu. It reflects the religious beliefs that prevailed during that period.

The shape of the temple resembles Dharmaraja’s Ratha (Yudhishter’s Chariot). Dharmaraja Ratha is one of the five Rathas in Panch Ratha complex in Mahabalipuram.

Today, the details of the carvings here have eroded due to centuries of exposure to elements. But, what remains still tells the tale of its ancient glory.

The Mamallapuram Dance Festival

Nowadays, Tamil Nadu government organises a month-long dance festival – the Mamallapuram Dance Festival. This takes place in January-February every year. In a way, this purports to pay a tribute to the Pallava kings who were great lovers of classical arts.

Leading exponents of Kuchipudi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Mohini Attam, and Kathakali, perform here. And these performances happen against the majestic backdrop of the temple.

What used to be a landmark of a thriving port is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Shore Temple is part of UNESCO-listed Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments.

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For more detailed information on Shore Temple, click HERE

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