The shore
temples at Mahabalipuram, a coastal village 50 km south of Madras, were built in
the 7th century, during the reign of Rajasimha, and they depict the final
flowering of Pallava art. These temples are refreshingly uncluttered, unlike
later grandiose Dravidian architecture and they tower over the
waves, behind a protective breakwater.
The temple with its beautiful polygonal
dome enshrines Lord Vishnu and Shiva. These beautiful temples,
ravaged by wind and sea, were listed among the World Heritage sites,
a few years ago and they are probably the most photographed
monuments in India.
India
