Background
The coastal temple town Mahabalipuram is officially known as Mamallapuram after ‘Mamalla’ (’great wrestler’), the name given to Narasimhavarman I Pallavamalla (ruled AD 630-668). The Pallava ruler made the port famous in the seventh century and was largely responsible for the temples. There are 14 cave temples and nine monolithic rathas (shrines in the shape of temple chariots), three stone temples and four relief sculptured rock panels.
The Dravida or Dravidian style underwent several changes over the course of the different dynasties that ruled for about 1000 years from the time of the Pallavas who laid its foundations. In Mahabalipuram, rock-cut cave temples, mandapas (small excavated columned halls), and rathas were carved out by the early Pallavas. These were followed by structural temples and bas relief sculptures on giant rocks. The Ekambaresvara Temple in Kanchipuram shows the evolution of the Dravidian style – the shrine with its pyramidal tower and the separate mandapa (pillared portico) all within the courtyard with its high enclosure wall made up of cells. Six centuries later the two separate structures were joined by the antarala (covered hall). A large subsidiary shrine, which took the place of an entrance gateway, also hinted at the later gopuram.
A characteristic feature of the temples here was the system of water channels and tanks, drawn from the Palar River, which made it particularly suitable as a site of religious worship. The naga, or serpent cult associated with water worship, can be seen to be given prominence at Bhagiratha’s Penance.
WTemple cars or rathas are tall and often elaborately carved and painted temple-shaped chariots which carry temple deities through the streets during celebratory processions. Between festivals, they’re often parked in makeshift, corrugated-iron garages at the side of temples.
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