Mahabalipuram Sightseeing - Shore Temple

Set against the background of infinite sky and the boundless sea, each merging with the other in a far off horizon, coupled with the sound of the waves and the music of the gentle breeze, stands this magnificent structure.  The Shore Temple has a splendour unsurpassed in aesthetic appeal. With the rising sun spreading its rays like a golden ball, with white clouds moving across, the towers are most fascinating. The temple, standing as it is on the coast for over a thousand years ,with most of its sculptures having been eroded, due to saline action but leaving vestiges here and there, mere outlines, shines in its pristine glory.

One of the earliest temples built by the Pallavas, this is the most complex group of all the temples of South India, having two shrines placed one behind the other, one facing east and the other west. These two shrines are separated by a rectangular shrine sandwiched in between with  its entrance from the side. This shrine is dedicated to Vishnu, who is represented as lying on his serpent couch and known as Talasayana Perumal. The other two shrines are dedicated to Siva. There is a large open court at the western end. This piece of architecture shows us the grand taste and the flourishing kingdom of the Pallavas.