Shore Temple, Mamallapuram

Name: Shore Temple
Address: Mamallapuram, India

#1 among attractions in Mamallapuram

Temple, Top attraction

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Sai Sathish Vijayan / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / RameshM / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ramnanda06 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Manishmjoshi / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Photonforge / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rafflord / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ravichandar84 / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in the historic town of Mamallapuram, India, the Shore Temple stands as a monumental testimonial to the Pallava dynasty's architectural prowess. This granite marvel, dating back to the 7th century, is a complex of temples and is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India.

The Shore Temple, aptly named for its proximity to the sea, is a part of the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by its unique pyramidal structure which houses a shrine to Lord Shiva. The complex itself is an exquisite example of Dravidian architecture with intricate carvings, towering gopurams, and sculpted panels depicting mythological themes.

The temple complex comprises three shrines, with the main one oriented to the east so that the first rays of the sunrise shine on the Shiva lingam, the sanctum sanctorum. Flanking the main temple are two smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The site is also adorned with a variety of sculptures, including that of Nandi the bull, Shiva's mount, and an imposing Dvarapala (guardian) at the entrance.

For the average tourist, the Shore Temple offers a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Visitors can marvel at the skill and artistry of the Pallava sculptors, who chiseled the temple's walls into a tapestry of divine figures and mythical beasts. The backdrop of the shimmering sea enhances the mystical charm of the temple, making it a photographer's delight, especially during sunrise and sunset.

While the Shore Temple has withstood the test of time, it has also faced threats from erosion due to its proximity to the sea. Conservation efforts have been undertaken to preserve this ancient heritage for future generations.

Visitors to Mamallapuram should not miss the opportunity to explore the Shore Temple. It is open to the public daily, and there is a modest entry fee. The best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon when the heat is less intense, and the play of light and shadow on the temple architecture creates a dramatic effect.

Local name: महाबलिपुरम के तट मन्दिर Coordinates: 12°36'59"N, 80°11'57"E

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Mamallapuram India

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Day trips

Shore Temple – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, Mahabalipuram lighthouse.

0.8 miSW
Historic temples sculpted like chariots
Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram
22 min walk • Nestled in the coastal town of Mamallapuram, India, the Pancha Rathas stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the Pallava dynasty. This historical landmark, a complex of monolithic rock-cut temples, is renowned for its intricate carvings and monumental...
0.5 miW
, Sculpture, Archaeological site
Arjuna's Penance, Mamallapuram
12 min walk • Descent of the Ganges is a monument at Mamallapuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Chengalpattu district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Measuring 96 by 43 feet, it is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders.
~390 ftN
Temple
Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, Mamallapuram
2 min walk • Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is a monument in the Pancha Rathas complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture.
0.5 miW
Lighthouse
Mahabalipuram lighthouse, Mamallapuram
14 min walk • Mahabalipuram Lighthouse is located in Tamil Nadu, India. It has been open to tourists since 2011. It was closed in 2001 following a perceived threat from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The first light was commissioned here in 1887.
0.5 miW
Nature, Natural attraction, Rock
Krishna's Butterball, Mamallapuram
13 min walk • Krishna's Butterball is a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline in the historical coastal resort town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu state of India.
~260 ftW
Temple
Thirukadalmallai, Mamallapuram
2 min walk • Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is at Mahabalipuram. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD.
0.5 miW
Temple
Krishna Mandapa, Mamallapuram
12 min walk • Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century, of the Pallava dynasty. It is a rock-cut cave temple located on a hill, near a lighthouse, along with other caves in Mamallapuram.
0.5 miW
Temple, Sacred and religious sites
Ganesh Ratha, Mamallapuram
13 min walk • Ganesha Ratha is a temple in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of ten rathas carved out of pink granite within the group of monuments of the Pallava Period at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site since 1984.
0.9 miSW
Temple
Dharmaraja Ratha, Mamallapuram
22 min walk • Dharmaraja Ratha is a monument in the Pancha Rathas complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture.
0.5 miW
Nature, Cave, Temple
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Mamallapuram
14 min walk • The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is a collection of 7th- and 8th-century CE religious monuments in the coastal resort town of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
0.8 miSW
Temple
Bhima Ratha, Mamallapuram
22 min walk • Bhima Ratha is a monument in the Pancha Rathas complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Shore Temple?

Nearby attractions include Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram, Mamallapuram (2 min walk), Thirukadalmallai, Mamallapuram (2 min walk), Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, Mamallapuram (2 min walk), Krishna Mandapa, Mamallapuram (12 min walk).