Shore Temple
கடற்கரைக் கோயில்
A stone temple built on the shore by the Pallava dynasty in the 8th century, one of South India's earliest structural stone temples and a World Heritage Site.
The Shore Temple was built around 700–728 CE. Made of granite blocks, it has twin towers and is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. It is the emblem of the Mahabalipuram monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple faces the Bay of Bengal, and after more than a thousand years of sea wind erosion its carvings have weathered. Nandi bulls stand around it. The most beautiful time to visit is sunrise, when the backlight is at its finest. Foreigner admission is about 600 rupees, including the Pancha Rathas, and tickets can be bought online.
Opening hours
06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganges)
- Stone Carving Workshops, Mamallapuram
- Sthalasayana Perumal Temple
- Krishna Mandapa
- Raya Gopuram
- Ganesha Ratha
- Varaha Cave Temple
- Krishna's Butterball