About
The Shore Temple stands on the coast of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India, where its granite towers face the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple complex dating from the 7th century, built during the Pallava dynasty, and it forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
What to expect
The temple is a visit for anyone interested in early South Indian architecture. Its sculpted stone and its position at the water's edge give it a setting quite unlike the inland temples many travellers know. Because it stands by the sea, the light and sound of the bay are part of the experience, and the approach is made at an easy, unhurried pace.
Around the temple
- The town of Mahabalipuram, which holds the wider group of monuments listed by UNESCO.
- The coastline of the Bay of Bengal, a natural counterpoint to the stone structures.
- Other carved monuments in the town, so that a single day can take in several sites.
The temple is located at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India. For questions before a visit, the contact number is +91-44-27442226.
