Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple

Overview

Built in the 7th century, Shore Temple is one of the oldest temples in southern India built in the Dravidian style and depicts the royal taste of the Pallava dynasty. The temple work has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in Mahabalipuram and is one of the most photographed monuments of India located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.

The name of the shore temple was born from the fact that it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is built with granite blocks which can be dated to the 8th century AD. It includes three shrines, the most important of which are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. In the Sanctum Sanctorum, an image of Shivalinga is present. Towards the end, two facing sanctuaries can be spotted. One sanctuary is dedicated to Ksatriyasimnesvara and the other to Lord Vishnu. The image shows Lord Vishnu lying on the "Seshanag" which represents "conscience" in Hinduism.

The shore temple is no longer a living temple. It was built as a work of art. The Pallavas, who were known to be great patrons of art, wanted to create a temple in their own style of architecture. At present, Shore Temple is the setting for the Mahabalipuram dance festival which is held annually in January / February. The festival has marked and promoted traditional dance as well as tourism in Mahabalipuram. The temple is beautiful because of the lights during the weekends.

History of Shore Temple

According to legends, the shore temple was one of the seven pagodas of Mahabalipuram. Seven Pagodas is an old Hindu legend. According to the story, Prince Hiranyakasipu did not believe in Lord Vishnu. However, his son Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu who forced Prince Hiranyakasipu to banish Prahlada from the kingdom. Prahlada was welcomed after a while, after which he became king. He had a grandson named Bali who also founded Mahabalipuram.

The shore temple was given the name "seven pagodas" after seeing such a tall structure standing along the seashore. This temple was like a landmark for navigation boats. In addition, the structure resembled that of a pagoda and therefore the familiarity.

After the tsunami hit the Coromandel coastline in 2004, an old warped temple was exposed in the process. This temple was made entirely of granite. After this event, the news of Mahabalipuram belonging to the Seven Pagodas as mentioned in the newspapers of Europeans began to circulate. It has also been reported that six of the temples remain buried in the sea. The tsunami also uncovered old carvings of elephants, peacocks and lions which were used to decorate the walls of the temples. under the reign of the Pallavas in the 7th and 8th century.

Must visit: Mottai Gopura Vasal Athi Kumbeshvarar Temple

Architecture of Shore Temple

The shore temple was the first stone structure built by the Pallavas. Before the development of this monument, all of the ancient monuments were carved out of rocks and stones. The magnificent temple has five floors and has a structure carved out of rock. It was one of the most important and oldest temples in all of South India. The upper structure of the temple is decorated with sculptures and sculptures. In addition, to provide much better protection for the striking temple against sea erosion, a stone was also constructed.

This pyramid structure which has a height of 60 feet is present at the top of a square platform of 50 feet. It magnificently presents the Dravidian architectural style as well as an elite history mixed with magnificence. It was designed to capture the first rays of the rising sun and to catch the waters after sunset, which, according to Percy Brown, served as a landmark by day and a beacon by night. Mandapas and compound walls surround the large temple. A rock of a lion with a small square cut in the belly which is mounted by two young women can also be seen on the walls of the temple. There is a huge rock near this majestic temple that the waves have been able to touch for years. In the north side, a sculpture of the buffalo demon is also present with a stick in hand. The temple looks like a chariot seen from afar.

The three shore temples stood on the same platform. Seen from the north end, these temples appear to be the exact imitation of the Dharmaraja Ratha. The main temple of Shore, which faces east so that the sun's rays fall on the main deity of Shiva Linga, which is an ancient Hindu structure rather than a simple rock formation. The temple is built with carved granite stones extracted from a nearby quarry. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch. It is made of finely cut local granite. The shore temple is also one of the most famous temples. Recent excavations show that many undisclosed structures are still deep under the sand.

Best Time To Visit Shore Temple

Given the climate of Mahabalipuram, the best time to visit the Shore temple is during the months of October to March. In the evening or in the morning is generally ideal for visiting the temple. In addition, January / February is the perfect time to be part of the Mahabalipuram dance festival. Sunrise and sunset add a picturesque charm to the temple and should therefore be visited at dawn and dusk.

Tips For Visiting Shore Temple

1. Photography is permitted at no additional cost. However, for videos, you have to pay INR 25.

2. Bring a camera to capture the beauty of this wonderful temple.

3. The entrance ticket sale closes at 5:30 pm.

4. The surrounding monuments can be visited free of charge.

How To Reach Shore Temple

Well connected to the main city by all means of transport. You can take a bus to Mahabalipuram from Kanchipuram, Pondicherry and other tourist areas nearby. Once in Mahabalipuram, you can easily walk or cycle through the small town. Hiring regular buses and taxis from anywhere in Tamil Nadu will easily take you to the temple.

If you want to explore the cultural temples, India visa from Pakistan can be obtained online hassle-free.