Posted on: 14 December 2010

Surf breaking over the beach by the temples at Mamallapuram -1805

Watercolour of a general view of the Shore Temple and beach at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, by Elisha Trapaud, c. 1805. Inscribed on front in ink: 'E.T. 1805'; on back in ink:' The Seven Pagodas. 30 Miles South of Madras.'

Mamallapuram, a tiny village south of Chennai (Madras), was a flourishing port of the Pallava dynasty from the 5th - 8th centuries. The site is famous for a series of rock-cut caves and some monolithic sculptures created in the 7th century. This view shows the Shore Temple, built in the late 7th century by Rajasimha, orientated towards the east, the ocean. The temple consists of two spires; one contains a shrine for Vishnu and one for Shiva.

Source : British Library


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Hi Amita, Mamallapuram was in existence before the period of Mamalla, probably it was he who gave proper attention to this coastal town during his expeditions to Ceylon. One correction in above, Dharmaraja Ratha is not a replica of Mandagapattu as Mandagapattu is a cave shrine while Dharmaraja Ratha is not. Probably you meant that Dharamaraja Mandapa in Mahabalipuram is replica of Mandagapattu as both are cave shrines. For more information of Mahabalipuram, you may go through my blogs: Mahabalipuram Part I - http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/08/mahabalipuram-introduction.html Mahabalipuram Part II - http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/08/mahabalipuram-monuments-part-1.html Mahabalipuram Part III - http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/08/mahabalipuram-workshop-of-pallavas-part.html Mahabalipuram part IV - http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/09/mahabalipuram-workshop-of-pallavas-part.html Mahabalipuram Part V – http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/09/mahabalipuram-workshop-of-pallavas-part_14.html Mahabalipuram Part VI - http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/09/mahabalipuram-workshop-of-pallavas-part_18.html For Mandagapattu, you may refer http://msg4saurabh.blogspot.com/2010/09/mandagapattu-first-cave-temple-of.html Hope you will like it, and your feedback is most welcome.

Mandagapattu (I think) is in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu. And while the Dharmaraja ratha is defintely not a replica of Mandagapattu, Mandagapattu may have served as an inspiration.

The authorship of mallai monuments is a subject of many debates. One interesting aspect to note is the Shore temple is a composite shrine - two shiva temples built by Rajasimha - Kshatriya simmeshwara and rajasimmeshwara buttressing an earlier vishnu shrine. The origins of that Vishnu shrine predate Rajasimha for sure - but does it predate Mahendra?