Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Transport
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Bicycle Hire
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Sights
You can easily spend a full day exploring Mamallapuram's marvellous temples and rock
carvings. Most of them were carved from the rock in the 7th century during the reign of
Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, whose nickname Mamalla (Great Wrestler) gave the
town its name. Apart from the Shore Temple and Five Rathas, admission is free. Official
Archaeological Survey of India guides can be hired at the sites for around ?50; they're
worth the money.
Shore Temple
(combined 1-day ticket with Five Rathas Indian/foreigner ?10/250, video ?25; 6am-6pm)
Standing like a
magnificent fist of rock-cut elegance overlooking the sea, the two-towered Shore Temple
symbolises the heights of Pallava architecture and the maritime ambitions of the Pallava
kings. Its small size belies its excellent proportion and the supreme quality of the
carvings, many of which have been eroded into vaguely Impressionist embellishments.
Built under Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century, it's the earliest significant free-stand-
ing stone temple in Tamil Nadu. The two towers rise above shrines to Shiva and their ori-
ginal linga (phallic symbols of Shiva) captured the sunrise and sunset. Between the Shiva
shrines is one to Vishnu, shown sleeping.
HINDU TEMPLE
Five Rathas
HINDU TEMPLE
(Pancha Ratha; Five Rathas Rd; combined 1-day ticket with Shore Temple Indian/foreigner ?10/250, video ?25;
6am-6pm)
Huddled together at the south end of Mamallapuram, the Five Rathas look like
buildings, but they were, astonishingly, all carved from single large rocks. Each of these
