UNESCO World Heritage
ASI Protected
Shore Temple
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
8th Century CE
One of the oldest structural stone temples in South India, the Shore Temple was built by Pallava king Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II). Standing on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, it originally consisted of a complex with two Shiva shrines and one Vishnu shrine, and is believed to be the last of the legendary Seven Pagodas.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Pallava
- Style
- Early Dravidian (Structural)
- Primary Deity
- Shiva and Vishnu
- Languages
- Tamil, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Tamil, Grantha
Historical Significance
One of the earliest structural Dravidian temples. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Part of the legendary Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram. Combines both Shaiva and Vaishnava shrines
Architectural Features
Two Shiva shrines and one Vishnu shrineStructural pyramidal vimanaNandi row surrounding the complexErosion-worn bas-reliefsShore-facing orientation