Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram or Seven Pagodas, is a place along the Bay of Bengal, Coromandel Coast in south Chennai. The first volume of the Manual of Administration of the Madras Presidency, published in 1888, mentions the names of the Seven pagodas from a mariner’s point of view. The site has five rathas or monolithic temples, which are the remnants of the Seven Temples, hence the name Seven Pagodas, and this collective structure came under the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Currently, only one pagoda out of the 7 pagodas is visible from the sea and what remains now is called the “Shore Temple”, and it is presumed that out of 7, 6 pagodas are submerged in the sea. Two of them were near the sea, one of them stood on a rock and was washing away by the tide, and is now close to the wreck site. Four lie in the valley at the southern end of the island of the Bay of Bengal, and the other lie away from the tip of the extreme point of the island, and all are now submerged in the sea.

Source of Evidence of the Seven Pagodas of Mamallapuram:

The ancient Indian text of the Vishnu Purana documents mentions Mahabalipuram and the origin of King Mahabali. Mamallapuram is the Prakrit version of the original Sanskrit name, “Puram” being the Sanskrit word for city or town. Textual references to the 1st century CE Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a great navigation book, mention that Mamallapuram was a flourishing port. Ptolemy a Greek geographer and astronomer mention the Mahabalipuram as “Melange” in the 2nd century CE. Hiuen Tsang in his travel records in the 7th century CE also mentions Mamallapuram as a Pallava seaport. The Vaishnava saint Thirumangai Alvar in his 8th century CE work “Narayiraprabhanadha” discusses the bustling port town and writes about the many ships anchored in its honor. Macro Polo was a famous mariner who discussed the temple complex in his travel book and mentions it as the seven pagodas of Mamallapuram where the seven tallest structures can be seen as he approached the sea shore.

Origin of Mahabalipuram:

There are many opinions about the origin of the name Mahabalipuram, the most popular explanation being that the place was named after King Bali, also known as Mahabali. According to the ancient texts of the Vishnu Purana, after sacrificing Vishnu, the place where he was liberated is called the present-day Mahabalipuram.

Ancient Historical Perspective of Mahabalipuram:

The city of Mamallapuram was an important region of the Pallava dynasty that ruled South India for a long time from 275 CE to 897 CE, and this region was used for trading purposes with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Persian, Roman, and ancient Chinese coins have been found in Mamallapuram, and during the reign of Mahendravarman I from 600 CE to 630 CE, Mamallapuram began to flourish as a center of art and culture.

Mamallapuram or Seven Pagodas was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I in the 7th century. The name Mamallapuram originates from Mamallan, which means “Great Warrior” and thus the title name of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. The shore temple was built by Rajasimhan (Narasimha II) of the Pallava dynasty from 700 CE to 728 CE. It is the largest and oldest structure in Mamallapuram.

The Pallava dynasty and Mamallapuram have a historical connection that dates back to the earliest security treaty between China and India at the end of the 7th century, with the  Rajasimhan (Narasimha Varman II), and during this era, the region experienced great political vicissitudes as the Pallavas vied for power with the Pandyas, Cheras, and Cholas.

The Architecture of the Mahabalipuram Temple:

Indian temple architecture style can be broadly classified into two categories, those are NAGARA (North Indian Style) and DRAVIDIAN (South Indian Style). Both styles of architecture have three common structures, which are

• Main Shrine (Vimana)
• Inner Sanctum (Garbha Griha)
• Shikhara

The progress and development of temple architecture can be broadly divided into types based on historical events, those built or carved before 900 A.D and those built or carved after 900 A.D. The flourished architecture of the Mahabalipuram temple can be classified into two categories namely the Five Rathas and the Shore temple.

Five Rathas:

These five rathas of Pancha rathas are also called Pandava rathas. all these five rathas are structured of a large block of stone or monolith of granite type. that type of these five rathas named Dharmaraju Ratha; Bhima Ratha; Arjuna Ratha; Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha and Draupadi Ratha.

Dharmaraju Ratha:

It is located at the southern end of the temple complex and is the largest and tallest of the five rathas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a square base with a pyramidal top showing several diminishing stories. It has three floors including the ground floor facing west, and has an elaborate sculptured three-storied vimana facing west. the facades of each of its four sides rest on two pillars and two pilasters. The sanctum sanctorum was unfinished and remains incomplete, and the corners of the sanctum sanctorum are decorated with eight sculptures that include simple forms of three four-armed shivas; Brahma; Harihara; King Narasimhavarman I; Ardhanariswara. The “Atyantakama Pallaveshwaram” sanctum is engraved in the uppermost tier. a sculpture of lions in a seated position is engraved to support the shafts of the pillars. This has chaitya-arches with human faces.

Bhima Ratha:

It stands on a rectangular platform with a rectangular structure elongated with no sculptures on its walls. Bhima Ratha is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The structure Bhima Ratha looks like a barrel-vaulted roof and ornate pillared verandahs that indicate the architectural style of this place. that is reminiscent of Buddhist cave architecture. It is made up of pink granite boulders gradually from north to south. But the ground floor has remained unfinished. It also has tall pillars, two long sides with lion-mounted column galleries, and an opening porch with pillars. The walls of the Rathas are carved into panels with fourteen sculptures.

Arjuna Ratha:

Arjuna Ratha stands on the same plinth as the Draupadi Ratha and is carved out of living rock and which is dedicated to lord shiva. It has a two-tiered roof and a hexagonal vimana that faces the west. The front yard is decorated with a finely carved stone lion. The entrance of the Ratha rests on two pillars and two lions mounted on carved pilasters. The sanctum sanctorum was empty and the four walls have various sculptures, including a Shiva with his Nandi and a Vishnu with his Garuda. The four sides of the corners are decorated with kudus. In front of this Ratha is a huge monolithic lion.

Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha:

This Ratha has been dedicated to lord Indra. Among the five Rathas, it is the only one facing south. This structure is seen on the back sides of an elephant and resembles the Chaitya Mandir to some extent. There are no carvings on this Ratha. It is referred to as “Gajaprishta Kara” and the style as “Gajaprishta”. There is a huge monolithic sculpture of an elephant that is also seen beside the Ratha.

Draupadi Ratha:

Draupadi Ratha lies at the northern end of the five rathas. It is the smallest one among the five Rathas. This Ratha structure is like a hut with a thatched roof and a Vimana shrine. It was dedicated to the goddess Durga. Images of Durga adorn the Rath, and The niches on the remaining three walls show standing Durgas. there is also a four-armed standing Durga seen inside the sanctum. Above the entrance door, there are two arches with “Makara toran” type arch decorations. The entrance faces west and the Ratha is decorated with sculptures of lion & elephant heads chiseled alternatively also there are two female dwarapalakas on either side.

Animal Statues:

Apart from the Rathas, there are three large sculptures of standing animals curved out of monolithic stone. Statute of the Nandi which is not finished figure links to Arjuna Ratha. The Statue of the lion is located in front of Draupadi Ratha. and elephant stands next to Nakula -Sahadeva Ratha.

Shore Temple:

It is known as the shore temple because it is on the opposite shore of the Bay of Bengal. this shore temple is built using granite stones and it is one of the oldest stone temples in south India. It is a magnificent five-storied temple with a stone structure. Shore temple is a complex of three temples one big temple and two small temples that two temples have pyramid shaped. The entire structure of the shore temple consists of an octagonal neck around the Stupa. The Shivalinga is housed in the sanctum sanctorum known as the “Garbhagriha”, a small pillared hall known as the mandapa, surrounded by a large wall. Two temples on the shore are dedicated to Shiva and the third is a small temple and it is dedicated to Vishnu. The entrance to the temple complex is from the western gateway facing the small Shiva temple. A small Vishnu temple is located between the two temples connecting the two shrines.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mahabalipuram:

Q1. Where is the Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram?

Ans: Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram or Seven Pagodas, is a place along the Bay of Bengal, Coromandel Coast in south Chennai. The first volume of the Manual of Administration of the Madras Presidency, published in 1888, mentions the names of the Seven pagodas from a mariner’s point of view. The site has five rathas or monolithic temples, which are the remnants of the Seven Temples, hence the name Seven Pagodas, and this collective structure came under the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Q2. Who Built it the Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram?

Ans: Mamallapuram or Seven Pagodas was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I in the 7th century. The name Mamallapuram originates from Mamallan, which means “Great Warrior” and thus the title name of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. The shore temple was built by Rajasimhan(Narasimha II) of the Pallava dynasty from 700 CE to 728 CE. It is the largest and oldest structure in Mamallapuram.

Q3. Briefly describe Mahabalipuram from the perspective of Vedic History.

Ans: There are many opinions about the origin of the name Mahabalipuram, the most popular explanation being that the place was named after King Bali, also known as Mahabali. According to the ancient texts of the Vishnu Purana, after sacrificing Vishnu, the place where he was liberated is called the present-day Mahabalipuram.

Q4. Briefly describe the Seven Pagodas.

Ans: The site has five rathas or monolithic temples, which are the remnants of the Seven Temples, hence the name Seven Pagodas. Currently, only one pagoda out of the 7 pagodas is visible from the sea. And what remains now is called the “Shore Temple”, and there is presumed that out of 7, 6 pagodas are submerged in the sea. Two of them were near the sea, one of them stood on a rock and was washing away by the tide, and is now close to the wreck site. Four of them are lies in the valley at the southern end of the island of the Bay of Bengal, and the other lies away from the tip of the extreme point of the island, and all there are now submerged in the sea.

Q5: Briefly describe the Mahabalipuram Temple Complex.

Ans: Only one pagoda out of the 7 pagodas is visible from the sea. and what remains now is called the “Shore Temple” Here Two temples hold three sanctums, in that two were dedicated to Shiva and one to Vishnu. The beautiful sculpture and temples in the Mahabalipuram temple complex showcase the highest quality of craftsmanship. The monuments in this complex are divided into five categories. They are mandapa rock caves, rathas monolithic temples, rock reliefs, temples, and excavated remains.