Ce magnifique temple surplombe le golfe du Bengale et était un centre important sous le règne des Pallavas, lorsque Mahabalipuram était le principal port de leur royaume. Construit par le roi Raja Simha au début du VIIIe siècle, le Temple du Rivage est un monument emblématique du paysage architectural indien. Marco Polo l'appelait les sept pagodes. Le temple actuel est le dernier survivant des sept qui servaient autrefois de phare aux navigateurs.

These are rock cut monolith temples structures built in the 7th century. Each of the 5 rathas or chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharat epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva. Once you stand towards the rear of the elephant you will notice that there is an uncanny resemblance between the rear of the chariot and the elephant.

Nous visitons ensuite la Pénitence d'Arjuna, un bas-relief considéré comme l'une des plus magnifiques œuvres d'art ancien de l'Inde, représentant des scènes saisissantes du Mahabharata. Ce bas-relief mesure 30 mètres de long et 13 mètres de haut ! L'histoire principale raconte comment Arjuna, l'un des frères Pandava, a pratiqué de sévères austérités pour obtenir l'arme du Seigneur Shiva.

This curious boulder seems to defy Newton's laws of gravity and has not moved an inch despite being in this precarious position on the slope for more than a thousand years.

The Varaha cave is carved out of huge piece of granite and dates back to the 7th century. This temple took several decades to be completed.

Pandava cave is the largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram The cave is supported on six pillars and two pilasters.

Two of the most impressive works of art of Mahabalipuram reside in this cave.

This is a imposing chariot carved out of a single stone. Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva, it now has the deity of his son Lord Ganesh.

Built in the year 640, it is India’s oldest light house and one of the oldest in the world.