2022-03-04 Fri

The Shore temple stands on the bank of the Bay of Bengal is one of the main attractions of Mahabalipuram. Word Mahabalipuram; is derived from the original name Mamallapuram, which means the city of Mamalla – the warrior. Mamalla was the title of the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman I (630-70 CE).

The Shore Temple; was built under the rule of King Narasimhavarman II, devoted to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The pyramidal structure is 60 feet high and sits on a 50 feet square platform.

This beautiful structure is an architectural marvel; that depicts the ancient finesse of art. The structure of the temple is built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th Century AD. It belongs to the earliest phase of Dravidian temple architecture and is a splendid example of Pallava art.

It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.