Shore Temple

Coordinates: 12°36′59″N 80°11′55″E / 12.61639°N 80.19861°E / 12.61639; 80.19861
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about one of the temples at Mahabalipuram. For the UNESCO world heritage site, see Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

Shore temple
Chengalpattu District
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Shore Temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Shore Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Shore Temple is located in India
Shore Temple
Shore Temple (India)
Geographic coordinates12°36′59″N 80°11′55″E / 12.61639°N 80.19861°E / 12.61639; 80.19861
Architecture
CreatorNarasimhavarman II, Pallava dynasty
Completed630–668 CE

The Shore Temple (c. 725 AD) is a complex of temples and shrines that overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is located in Mahabalipuram, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India.[1][2]

It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of its creation, the site was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Indian Pallava dynasty.[3] As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.[4] It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of Southern India.[3]

History

Marco Polo and the European merchants who came to Asia after him called the site Seven Pagodas. One of these is believed to be the Shore Temple. The temple probably acted as a landmark for seafarers. As it appears like a Pagoda, the name became familiar to the seafarers.[5]

This structural temple complex was the

Tsunami of 2004 which struck this coastline.[1] The architecture of the Shore Temple was continued by the Cholas (in the temples that they built) who ruled Tamil Nadu after defeating the Pallavas.[6]

The tsunami of December 2004 that struck the coastline of Coromandel exposed an old collapsed temple built entirely of granite blocks. This has renewed speculation that Mahabalipuram suitshakesiye was a part of the Seven Pagodas described in the diaries of

Europeans, of which six temples remain submerged in the sea. The tsunami also exposed some ancient rock sculptures of lions, elephants, and peacocks that used to decorate walls and temples during the Pallava period during the 7th and 8th centuries.[7]

Though the tsunami of 26 December 2004 that occurred in the Indian Ocean struck the temple and the surrounding garden, the Shore Temple was not badly damaged, as the water level returned to its normal level within a few minutes. The damage was to the foundation of the

groynes erected around the temple area on the coastline also aided its protection.[8]

According to the two inscriptions found in the slab of smaller Shiva temple, the names of the three temples mentioned are as Kshatriyasimha Pallavesvara-gruham, Rajasimha Pallavesvara-gruham and Pllikondaruliya-devar. The entire temple complex is called as Jalashayana (lying in water). This confirms that the Vishnu shrine was the first shrine to be excavated here. The inscription on the lintel of the Vishnu shrine also mentions this as Narapatisimha Pallava Vishnu Griha where Narapatisimha is a title of Rajasimha.[5]

Architecture

Main article: Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Shore temple floor plan.

All the three Temples of the Shore Temple complex are built on the same platform. Viewed from the northern end, the temples appear to be a replica of the

Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. Built with sculpted granite stones hauled from a nearby quarry, it is the earliest important structural temple in South India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 feet (18 m) high and sits on a 50 feet (15 m) square platform. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch. It is made out of finely cut local granite.[9]

The shore temple is one of the most popular temples in Mahabalipuram. Excavations in early 2000s have revealed new structures here under the sand.[10]

The temple is a combination of three shrines. The main shrine is dedicated to

Nandi.[11]

Artwork and iconography

Miniature shrine

The temple has a

Sivalinga, is enshrined, and a small mandapa surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little space between for circumambulation. At the rear are two shrines facing in opposite directions. The inner shrine dedicated to Ksatriyasimnesvara is reached through a passage while the other, dedicated to Vishnu, is facing outwards. The Durga is seated on her lion vahana. A small shrine may have been in the cavity in the lion's chest. The Shore Temples, like many major Hindu temples, include both Shaivism and Vaishnavism temples and iconography.[3]

The roofs of the temples have ornamentation similar to the Pancha Rathas. The roofs have

shikaras of the two temples dedicated to Shiva are in the Dravidian architectural style.[5] Beneath the towers, the sanctuary walls are mostly blank without any decorations but the columns are carved over lion mounted bases.[12]
The decorations on the outer faces of these shrines are similar to those seen on the Pancha Rathas, though due to their closeness to the sea, are partially eroded due to salty winds.

Somaskanda Panel with Shiva, Uma and their son Skanda

The most distinctive feature of the temple are the

bas-relief, which is a family image of Shiva and his consort Parvati with their child Kartikeya built over a stone slab is located in a small shrine in the temple. This is also called the Somaskanada panel, a carved stone panel. Two more similar panels are seen at the entrance porch of the temple. This type of panel is also depicted in the nearby Dharmaraja Ratha of the Paramesvarvarman's era.[5][13][14] The ardhamantapa or half chamber which is the first chamber before entering the sanctum sanctorum, also has sculptures of Brahma on the south wall and Vishnu on its north wall. Sculptures of Shiva as Tripurantaka and Durga are seen on the back side of the north wall of the main shrine. There is also a circumambulatory passage to go round the main shrine in a clockwise direction.[5]

A relief.

The smaller Shiva temple behind the main temple is a double storied structure with a stepped pyramidal tower with an octagonal shikhara built over a circular griva. A kalasa and finial are fitted above the shikhara. kudus (horseshoe-arch dormer like projections) and small shrines are part of the cornices at both levels of the structure. A Somaskanda panel decorates the back wall of the inner shrine. There is no mantapa (hall) in front of this shrine (probably damaged). The external walls display two panels. One is called Ekapadamurti, an eye-legged form of Shiva with Brahma and Vishnu emanating from his sides. The second panel is of Nagaraja (king of serpents) standing below a five-hooded serpent.[5]

Anantashayi Vishnu (reclining posture of Vishnu lying on the serpent Ananta) is enshrined in a small rectangular shrine between the large Kshatriyasimhesvara temple and the Rajasimha Pallaveshvara temple. Vishnu is depicted with four arms but his attributes are missing (damaged). The temple structure's rectangular tower is missing. The typical design of kudus and small square shrines are part of the cornice arrangement. The external walls have carvings of Krishna slaying the demon Kesi, Krishna dancing over Kaliya (the seven hooded serpent), and Vishnu seated on his vehicle Garuda in the act of saving Gajendra (elephant) from the mouth of a crocodile. Inscription noted in Pallava Grantha script is on the lintel indicating it as the earliest shrine of the complex.[5]

The entire compound wall surrounding the temples is sculpted with large sculptures of Nandi, the vehicle or mount of Shiva, and also with Yalis and Varahas (boars).[8]

Lion monolith

Mahishasuramardini Durga lion shrine

A monolith sculpture of a partly carved and partly sculpted lion with a hole in its torso is erected within the compound wall of the temple complex. A miniature image of

Mahishasuramardini. The open mouth of the lion is inferred as representation of its role as the favourite lion.[5]

Miniature Shrine

In 1990, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a miniature shrine with the Bhuvaraha image in a well type enclosure. This is dated to the Pallava King Narasimhavarman Mamalla's (AD 638–660) reign. It was enclosed with an elliptical well built during Rajasimha's (AD 700–728) period. These are carved on the bedrock that also has the reclining Vishnu in the Shore Temple complex.[15] The miniature shrine is also dedicated to Shiva.[16][17]

The water tank in Shore Temple complex

It has sixteen-sided base which is carved from bedrock. The circular wall and superstructure are of structural type. There are lions depicted on the pilasters. It is reported as a unique single tiered temple and not seen in other temples of the Pallava period. Its circular shikara, is in

Bhudevi shown nor an ocean. The depiction is in the form of Varaha performing a diving act into the ocean to rescue Bhudevi or mother earth. The symbolism of this act denotes the myth, only when the temple is submerged in water, as it is below the ground level.[5] The sculpture is seen broken and the base has an inscription referring to titles of the Pallava king Rajasimha. The wall that surrounds the shrine to prevent intrusion of sand from the sea also has an inscription on the topmost layer, in Pallava-Grantha script, which equates the king with Arjuna.[5][19]

Conservation

ASI has constructed break-water wall all around the sea shore to save the temple from further damage.[5] The temple structures, affected by rough Sea and winds with salt content are being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India by building protective groynes, treatment with wall paper pulp, and by planting casuarina trees along the affected coast line. The pulp treatment absorbs the saline water. In addition, chemical treatment is also given the monument to prevent water seepage into the rock. This kind of treatment is also reported to take out water stored inside the rock thus allowing the stone to breathe and preserve its strength. The area around the Shore Temple, has been beautified. The horticulture wing of the ASI has created a green lawn of 11 acres (4.4 hectares) around the Shore Temple. Fixing of signages with information on the monuments and creating fountains was also part of the beautification programme planned by ASI.[20]

Indian Dance Festival-Mamallapuram

The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held every year during Dec-Jan in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This dance festival is organised by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Exponents of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Attam and Kathakali perform against this magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. It is vibrant festival of dance where enormous audience enjoys this one month long festival.[21]

See also

Gallery

  • Aerial view of the Shore Temple
    Aerial view of the Shore Temple
  • Shore Temple, left side
    Shore Temple, left side
  • Shore Temple, right side
    Shore Temple, right side
  • Shore Temple, View of Shore Temple
    Shore Temple, View of Shore Temple
  • Shore Temple, Temple Vimanam
    Shore Temple, Temple Vimanam
  • Shore Temple, c. 1914. Courtesy J.W. Coombes
    Shore Temple, c. 1914. Courtesy J.W. Coombes
  • Shore Temple night
    Shore Temple night
  • Shore temple, Mahabalipuram, India.
    Shore temple, Mahabalipuram, India.
  • Kathak Danseuse Namrata Rai at Sea Shore Temple
    Kathak Danseuse Namrata Rai at Sea Shore Temple

References

  1. ^ a b "World Heritage Sites – Mahabalipuram: Group of Monuments Mahabalipuram (1984), Tamil Nadu". Archaeological Survey of India by National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b "The Shore Temple, Mamallapuram". Onlinenu Library of Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-471-26892-5
    .
  4. ^ "Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram". World Heritage. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Mahabalipuram – The Workshop of Pallavas – Part V". Shore Temple. Puratatva.com. 14 September 2010. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Mahabalipuram". USCLA Education, South Asia. Archived from the original on 6 October 1999. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  7. ISBN 978-1-4262-0336-7
    . Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  8. ^ a b "The Shore Temple stands its ground". The Hindu. 30 December 2004. Archived from the original on 30 December 2004. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  9. ISBN 978-0-7946-0011-2
    .
  10. ^ "The Shore Temple stands its ground". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 December 2004. Archived from the original on 30 December 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  11. ISBN 978-0-226-53230-1
    .
  12. ^ "Mamallapuram". Art and Archaeology.com. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Somaskanda". Art and Archaeology.com. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  14. ISBN 978-81-208-1391-5
    . Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  15. ^ "World Heritage Sites – Mahabalipuram – Excavated Remains". Archaeological Survey of India through National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  16. ^ Rajarajan, R.K.K. (1996). "Vṛṣabhavāhanamūrti in Literature and Art". Annali del Istituto Orientale, Naples. 56 (3): 305–10.
  17. ^ Rock-cut Model Shrines in Early Medieval Indian Art.
  18. ^ Rajarajan, R. K. K. "Vṛṣabhavāhanamūrti in Literature and Art". Annali del Istituto Orientale, Naples.
  19. ^ "World Heritage Sites – Mahabalipuram – Excavated Remains". Archaeological Survey of India through National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  20. ^ "A monumental effort". Front Line India's National Magazine from the publishers of The Hindu. 8 November 2003. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Mamallapuram Dance Festival - Dance Festivals - Webindia123.com". www.webindia123.com.

External links

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