The Sea Shore Temple at Mamallapuram called Mahabalipuram, constructed
during the rule of the Pallava King Rajasimha A.D 700 to 728, is the first significant
structural temple in Southern India. Its three sanctuaries are devoted to
Vishnu and Shiva. Projecting in this photo are the temple walls, crowned by
large sculptures of Nandi, and its two steep pyramidal towers capped by
octagonal domes.
As its name suggests, the Shore Temple directs the Bay of Bengal, Mamallapuram
was the port city of Pallava and Kanchipuram is the capital of Pallava. Its
location, so near the sea, has caused in significant destruction of the
temple's superstructure.
Ornamentation on the roof, although eroded, is quite similar to
the pancha rathas seen earlier.
Unlike those temples, the roofs here are capped by finials which show that the
temple was complete and functional. Beneath the towers, the sanctuary walls are
largely undecorated, although their engaged columns are carved with lion bases.
Durga is seated on her vahana, the lion. The hollowed- out cavity in the lion
chest would have been used for a small shrine.
A reserve in the temple houses this family description of Shiva,
Uma, and baby Muruga in between them. Garlands show that the image is
worshiped, at tiniest familiarly. Formal worship would require a Brahmin to be involved
to the temple, and is specified by an ensign flying over the temple boundaries,
such is not the case here. A group of schoolchildren is visiting the temple.
