Overview & Location of Gingee Fort
Gingee Fort lies in the Viluppuram District, close to the Union Territory of Puducherry and at a distance of around 160 kilometres from Chennai. Gingee is alternately called as Senji, Jinji, Chenji or Senchi Fort.
It was called the “Troy of the East” by the British and ranked as the “most impregnable fortress in India” by the Maratha King Shivaji. The Fort is administered and maintained currently by the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year.
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The Gingee Fort – Etymology
- It was called Badshabad by The Bijapur Nawabs hold the fort from about 1660 to 1677 AD.
- It was called Chandry or Chindy by their successors, the Marathas.
- It was named Nusratgadh by the Mughals, who captured the fort in 1698 AD.
- It came to be known as Gingee or Jinji by the English and the French.
The Gingee Fort – Legend
The Fort is associated with the tragic story of Raja Tej Singh who was also known as Thesingu Raasan. Young and brave Tej Singh revolted against the Nawab of Arcot and was killed in the war that followed. His life and brave but tragic end was praised in numerous ballads.
History of Gingee Fort
Gingee came into the hands of various ruling dynasties of South India starting from the Cholas.
- Gingee was the place of Jains in the beginning.
- The site of the small fort was originally built by the Chola dynasty during the 9th century AD
- The fort was later modified by Kurumbur and again by Vijayanagar Empire during the 13th century and 14th century.
- Strong and tall fort walls, temples on the plains were built using granite under the Nayakka rulers (from the end of 14th century AD for 150 years).
- Taking advantage of the frequent skirmishes between the Nayakas of Gingee, Madurai and Tanjore, the Bijapur Sultans captured Gingee.
- It was further strengthened by the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji in 1677 AD.
- Gingee fort was then captured by the Mughal General Zulfiqar Khan.
- The fort subsequently came under the rule of the French and British.
The rule of foreigners and their indifference towards the maintenance of the fort has left the place as a memorial for its admirers.
Architecture of Gingee Fort
The enormous structure of the fort has been built at the most strategic location making it difficult for enemies to enter the premises. The Gingee Fort complex is on three hillocks: krishnagiri to the north, Chandrayandurg to the southeast and Rajagiri to the west. The complex houses a seven-storeyed Kalyana Mahal (marriage hall), granaries, a temple dedicated to its presiding deity Chenjiamman. The fortification of the complex has a sacred pond known as Aanaikulam.
The Gingee Fort – Timings & Traveller Tips
The Fort remains open on all days from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The entrance fee is Rs. 5 per person, Rs. 100 per head for foreign citizens and free for children below the age of 15 years.
It is advisable for travelers to equip themselves with required snacks and water, umbrellas or caps to avoid the scorching heat. Visiting the fort during weekdays is advisable to dodge heavy crowd. It is ideal to visit the fort during the winter months of November to February.
Trekking to the fort makes the trip more adventurous. The fort encompasses exquisite interiors and spots worth exploring. The fort makes a good place for photography whilst experiencing its antiquity.
How to reach Gingee Fort
The fort can be easily reached by taking a cab or private buses. The nearest railway station is at Tindivanam (around 31 kilometres away) and nearest airport is at Chennai (136 kilometres away).
Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam or Memorial was constructed near the sea shore in Kanyakumari, in memory of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (fondly called Gandhiji), the Father of our Nation.
The Memorial is a popular tourist place in Kanyakumari and is situated close to Kanya Kumari Amman Temple. After the terrible assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1948, his remains were cremated and sent to various parts of the country for the public to pay their last respect. A portion of his ashes was put on display in Kanyakumari and later on deposited ritually in the sea on 12th February 1948. The Memorial now stands where his ashes had rested.
The Gandhi Mandapam Memorial
The Memorial is built in the architectural style of Orissa. The construction of the Memorial was completed in the year 1956. The Memorial was under the administrative control of the Public Works Department of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu but later on transferred to the Public (Information and Public Relations) Department.
The Memorial is well maintained with a display of numerous photographs of Gandhiji. It also houses a Library with some rare historical books on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The astounding feature of the Memorial is that it is built in such a way that on the birth anniversary of Gandhiji (i.e. on 2nd October each year), the sunlight coming through the ceiling falls on the exact spot where his ashes were laid.
The Memorial is open on all days from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Entry to the memorial is free except for Re. 1 charged per footwear that has to be left outside before entering into the Memorial.
How to reach Gandhi Mandapam
Kanyakumari is well connected by road with all major cities in South India and Nagercoil at a distance of about 21 kilometres being the closest town. Kanyakumari Railway Station (1 kilometre away) and Nagercoil Railway Station (about 18 kilometre away) are the nearest rail heads.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (about 102 kilometres away) is the nearest airport to Kanyakumari.
Padmanabhapuram Palace is located in Padmanabhapuram near Thuckalay, Kalkulam Taluk of Kanyakumari District. It is also known as Kalkulam Palace.
Padmanabhapuram was the ancient capital of erstwhile kingdom of Travancore. The town is located at a distance of 20 kilometres from Nagercoil and 60 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram.
Padmanabhapuram comes under the State premises of Tamil Nadu but is owned by the Government of Kerala. The Palace is maintained by the Govt. of Kerala Archaeology Department.
The opulence of the royal palace and its astounding architecture makes this place a massive tourist attraction.
Origin and Historical Significance of the Palace
The construction of the palace dates back to 1601 AD under the ruler of Venad (a medieval kingdom) Iravi Varma Kulashekara Perumal. The palace was rebuilt in around 1750 AD by King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The King dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha (a form of Lord Vishnu) and ruler the kingdom as a dasa/servant of Lord Padmanabha. And henceforth the palace came to be known as Padmanabhapuram or the city of Lord Padmanabha.
During the reign of Avittam Tirunal Balarama Varma (successor of Marthanda Varma), the fortifications of the palace were captured and utilized by British soldiers in 1809. With the disclosure of a fortified settlement around the Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthpuram, Padmanabhapuram lost its prominence. The 1850’s marked an accelerated decline of the Palace.
In 1934, with the combined efforts of Sree Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma (the last Maharaja of Travancore), the Queen Mother Sethu Parvathi Bayi and Dewan Sir. C.P. Ramaswami Aiyer, the palace was bought to the notice of the Archaeology Department. In 1935, the palace was converted into a museum complex.
The Palace & Its Unique Rooms
The Padmanabhapuram Palace, spread around an area of 6.5 acres, consists of many divisions that include:
The Reception Hall – The Poomukha Malika
The Poomukha Malika has a triangular arch that leads to other portions of the complex. The engraved wooden ceiling of the arch has 90 different flower carvings.
Mantrasala – The King’s Council Chamber
The Mantrasala is where the King conducted meetings and took administrative decisions. There are fine carvings on the ceiling and beams of the room. The room also has a single gable and eleven small windows (kilivaadhil).
Queen Mother’s Palace – The Thai Kottaram
The Thai Kottaram is the oldest structure in the complex built in the mid of 19th century. The naalukettu style structure (four halls joined together with a central courtyard open to the sky) is finely engraved.
Natakashala/Navarathri Mandapam – The Performance Hall
The rectangular Performance Hall has ornately carved monolith pillars adorned with bands of floral and geometric patterns and human figures in various Natyasastra postures. The hall is adjoined with a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.
Central Mansion
At the center of the palace complex is the four-storeyed building that was constructed during the reign of King Mardhanda Varma. Most of the walls in the palace complex have built-in recesses for storage of weapons.
The ground floor of the mansion houses the royal treasury and first floor houses the king’s bedrooms. The second floor has the king’s resting and study rooms. The top floor also called the Upparikka Malika was used as the worship chamber and has exquisite murals decorated on the walls.
Thekke Kottaram – Southern Palace
The Thekke Kottaram is also an old structure like the Thai Kottaram. This complex houses a heritage museum with exhibits of antique household articles and objects.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is situated to the north of the Mantrasala. It was built by a local blacksmith with the sound covering a 3 kilometre radius.
Other Prominent Features of the Palace
- The Palace is a masterpiece of Kerala architecture. The wooden palace with its murals, black granite flooring, intricate floral carvings and sculpted indoors transports the visitors to the ancient past.
- The palace is said to have a secret passage (now blocked) for usage by the kings and his family in case of any emergencies.
- A flight of steps that lead to a bathing pond.
- Visitors can also marvel at the antiques including old Chinese jars, a variety of weapons, furniture, wood and stone sculptures and paintings depicting the history of Travancore.
- The ornamental cot used by the King is said to have been made of about 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks.
Padmanabhapuram Palace Visiting Hours & Fee Details
It is open on all days except for Mondays from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The Palace is closed on National Holidays. Parking fee of Rs 50 is charged. Visitors can also buy a detailed guide book available in Tamil, English and Malayalam languages, at the ticker counter priced at Rs. 100.
The entrance fee is charged as below:
| Adult | Rs. 35/- |
| Adult (Foreign National) | Rs. 300/- |
| Children (5-12 Yrs) | Rs. 10/- |
| Children (Foreign National) | Rs. 100/- |
| Still Camera | Rs. 50/- |
| Video Camera | Rs. 2500/- |
How to reach Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 2 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari National Highway (NH 66).
The nearest railway station is at Nagercoil (16 kilometres away) that connects the town with major cities in South India.Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport (52 kilometres away).
Epilogue
Padmanabhapuram Palace is a testimony of the traditional style of Kerala architecture. A visit to the place will surely take one to the classic era of the Travancore State.
Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin District is located on the southernmost tip of Indian peninsula marked by the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The Thiruvalluvar Statue, located atop a small island is a popular tourist destination in Kanyakumari District.
The statue was designed and sculpted by Indian sculptor Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati and unveiled on 1st January 2000 in commemoration of Saint Thiruvalluvar. Thiruvalluvar was a renowned poet and saint who wrote Thirukkural, an ancient legendary Tamil work on secular morality.
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Features of Thiruvalluvar Statue
The Thiruvalluvar Statue is designed in such a way that it depicts the structure of Thirukural. The Thirukural is structured into 133 chapters, each containing 10 couplets (or Kurals), totaling to 1,330 couplets. The 133 chapters are grouped into three cantos/books – Aram (Book of Virtue or Dharma), Porul (Book of Polity or Artha) and Inbam (Book of Love or Kama). The three fingers on the right hand that points skywards denotes the three cantos – Aram, Porul and Inbam.
The statue and pedestal together is 133 feet high denoting the 133 chapters of the Thirukural. The pedestal on which the sculpture of Valluvar stands is 38 feet high representing the 38 chapters of Aram. The statue itself represents the Book of Porul and Inbam. The entire design artistically symbolizes that it is on the foundation of virtue or Dharma that one can earn wealth and love.
The statue weighs 7,000 tons and the head stands at a height of 200 feet above the sea level. There is a bend around the waist of the statue signifying a dance pose of the deity Nataraja ( a form of Lord Shiva). Visitors are permitted to climb up around 140 steps to reach the feet of the statue.
Construction of the majestic Thiruvalluvar statue
The foundation stone for the statue was laid by the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai on 15th April 1979. However, the installation and sculpting work led by Dr. V. Ganapathy Sthapathy, started a decade later in the year 1990. The project constructed at a cost of more than INR 6.14 crores employed around 150 workers, 500 sculptors, supervisors and assistants. The stones were arranged from workshops in Kanyakumari, Ambasamudram and Sholingannallur.
The striking feature of the statue is that the all-stone monument has been carved by hand and is designed to withstand natural calamities like earthquakes. The striking feature of the statue is that the all-stone monument has been carved by hand and is designed to withstand natural calamities like earthquakes.
The statue was placed on its pedestal on 19th October 1999 and was inaugurated on 1st January 2000 by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. Karunanidhi.
Thiruvalluvar Statue – Visiting Hours & Fee
The visiting time of Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue is from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Ferry services are available from the mainland charging Rs. 20 per person. No separate entry fee is charges from the tourists.
How to reach Thiruvalluvar Statue
Kanyakumari District is well connected with all modes of transportation. Regular buses from major South Indian cities take you to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari Railway Junction is the nearest rail head (1.5 kilometres away). Trivandrum International Airport (95 kilometres away) is the nearest airport.
Epilogue
The immaculate sculpture of Thiruvalluvar is a symbol of the ancient classic Thirukural and its valuable teachings. The spiritual atmosphere of the place amidst the vast spread of ocean is a destination one cannot afford to miss in Kanyakumari.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in the year 1970 as a memorial to Swami Vivekananda, is located 500 meters east of the mainland of Vavathurai in Kanyakumari.
Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin District is located on the southernmost tip of Indian peninsula covered with the sea on three sides (Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal).
The magnificent memorial was built in honour of Swami Vivekananda or Swamiji, the Indian Hindu monk who was the disciple of Indian mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. This place is considered sacred as Swamiji is believed to have attained enlightenment meditating on this rock. Also according to legends, Goddess Kanyakumari performed austerities on this rock and so the rock is known as ‘Sripada Parai’.
The Memorial can be reached through a ferry service that is operated by the Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism. The design of the memorial is a conglomeration of different architectural styles of India.
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Installation of the Memorial
Swami Vivekananda, during his visit to Kanyakumari on 24th December 1892 (prior to his Chicago trip to take part in the “World Religious Conference”), is said to have meditated on the rock for two days and attained enlightenment. Later on, Swami Vivekananda became the most illustrious philosopher and Hindu spiritual reformer and a major force in the revival of Hinduism.
The Kanyakumari Committee was set up in January 1962, marking the birth centenary of Swamiji, to establish a memorial of Swamiji on the rock. Simultaneously, the Ramakrishna Mission in Madras also conceived of such a memorial. However, the local Catholic fishermen showed a strong dislike for the idea and put up a big cross on the rock. On the other hand, protests by the Hindus led to volatile situations and the Rock was declared a prohibited area. It was on 17th January 1963, with government permission, that a tablet was installed on the Rock that mentioned its association with Swami Vivekananda.
Shri Eknath Ramakrishna Ranade & his Role
Shri Eknath Ramakrishna Ranade, popularly known as Eknathji, was a social reformer and a senior pracharak of the ‘Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’. Ranade was deeply influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Ranade established the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Organising Committee and became its Organising Secretary. The Committee soon opened up several branches across the country to build support and raise funds for the memorial.
Ranade had to face political hurdles such as the rejection of the project by the Minister of Education and Culture, Humayun Kabir. Ranade soon managed to collect 323 signatures of the Members of Parliament in support of the memorial, following which Smt. Indira Gandhi (the then Prime Minister of India) approved the project.
Once the project got approved, Ranade led a team of volunteers to raise funds from donors across the country. The State and Central Governments also contributed towards the fund total of Rs. 12.5 million.
Ranade’s strong belief in the Memorial mission led to the completion of the construction work in a short period of six years. It was inaugurated in 1970 by President of India V. V. Giri.
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial – An Architectural Excellence
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a blend primarily of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu style of architecture. The Memorial houses two main structures namely Vivekananda Mandapam and Shripada Mandapam.
Vivekananda Mandapam – The structure of Vivekananda Mandapam is, erected in honour of Swami Vivekananda consists of the following sections:
- Dhyana Mandapam or the meditation hall has six adjacent rooms, featuring the temple architectural styles of India.
- Sabha Mandapam or the Assembly Hall consists of the Pralima Mandapam (statue section) with two rooms, a corridor and an outer courtyard encompassing the Sabha Mandapam. The statue of Swamiji is positioned such that his vision directly falls on the Shripadam.
- Mukha Mandapam
- Namastubhyam to the son of Jagadamba
Shripada Mandapam – This is a square hall consisting of:
- Garba Graham or the sanctum sanctorum
- Inner Prakaram
- Outer Prakaram
- Outer Platform
Vivekananda Kendra – The Living Memorial
Vivekananda Kendra, a spiritual organization situated alongside the Rock Memorial was officially founded on 7th January 1972 marking the 108th birth anniversary of Swamiji. Shri Eknath Ranade decided that young men and women joining Vivekananda Kendra as Karyakartas (social workers) would have a platform to serve God in man. The organization involved in activities such as rural development, Yoga classes and seminars.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial – Visiting Hours & Fee
The Rock Memorial can be visited throughout the year from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Charges for entry is Rs. 10, still camera is Rs. 10 and video camera is Rs. 50 and ferry charges Rs. 20 per head. Bountiful lodging and accommodation facilities are available for tourists to avail.
How to reach Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari located at a distance of 19 kilometres from Nagercoil and 90 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram is well connected by bus with major South Indian cities. The nearest rail head is Kanyakumari Junction (around 1.5 kilometre away) and nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (around 95 kilometres away).
Epilogue
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is one of the most revered rock monuments providing its visitors a serene and peaceful experience. The cultural and religious significance of the place clubbed together with its architecture attracts visitors throughout the world. The Memorial Rock depicts our country’s cultural values and is considered a must visit destination of Kanyakumari.
The Valluvar Kottam, located in Chennai, is one such historical monument which is dedicated to the well-known intellectual poet, philosopher and saint, Thiruvalluvar, who penned his well-known Thirukkural more than 2,000 years ago. It was built by M. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The construction of Valluvar Kottam was the finest way to pay homage to this great and renowned personality as well his tremendous collection of magnificent works. This is one of the significant sites located in Chennai and is visited by a large number of visitors, every year, from all over the world. In the cultural life of the Tamils, saint Thiruvalluvar has great significance.
The architectural pattern of the Valluvar Kottam is like a temple chariot (39 m high), inside which there is a huge stone effigy of the saint Thiruvalluvar. The architect under whose guidance the Valluvar Kottam was built is a South Indian architect, V. Ganapati Chapatti, who is also the architect of the statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, sited at Kanyakumari.
The main auditorium of the Valluvar Kottam can provide accommodation to more than 4,000 people at one time and stands as a contemporary cenotaph to the great and distinguished poet and saint, who symbolizes the splendid culture of the Tamils. A very unique feature of the Valluvar Kottam is that it stands baseless, without the support of any pillar.
The 1330 verses of the epic Thirukkural are engraved on the granite columns in the facade hall corridors, enclosing the vast auditorium of the Valluvar Kottam. In the construction of this, about 3000 blocks of stone were used. The lion on the main gateway is very remarkable, decorated with attractive designs. The contribution of saint Thiruvalluvar in Tamil Literature is very notable and admiring, visible through the affection returned to him by his fans through the construction of this remarkable monument.
Madurai Gandhi Museum
Gandhi Memorial Museum is situated at Tallakulam, Madurai. This place takes you back to the moments that every citizen of India should remember and should be thankful for.
Many pictures of Gandhi from his childhood to his last journey to the crematorium have been depicted in the Museum.
A few years after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the government requested donations from the public to start a trust and construct a museum. Both poor and rich people contributed to the cause.
Here, it is believed that the last piece of cloth worn by Gandhiji is preserved with the bloodstains on it in a vacuum glass box.
Original letters written by Gandhi addressed to Narayanan Sathsangi of Devakottai is preserved here. Gandhi’s letter congratulating Bharathi, a freedom fighter too, and also a letter written to Mr. Adolf Hitler that starts with ‘Dear friend’ are also preserved here.
This place will let us understand the significance of Babuji and the sacrifice he did for our Nation.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Thirumalai Nayakkkar Mahal is one of the oldest palace of the country. King Thirumalai Nayak, a popular king of the Nayak dynasty, built this palace during the 17th century, in the year 1636 AD. Thirumalai Nayak, who ruled Madurai between 1623-59, built the Mahal mixing of both Rajput and Dravidian style of Architecture.
Even to this day, this palace is one of the best spots of Tourism in Madurai though the actual Mahal was four times larger than what is now. The palace was the place where Nayak kings used to reside.
The place holds such great significance. It is located at about 2kms from the great Meenakshi Temple.
Thirumalai Nayak has said to have bought architects from Italy in order to get the palace constructed.
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The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple built in 700-728 AD is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India built under the reign of Narasmhavarman II. The temple located in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal and hence is named the Shore Temple. The temple is a complex of temples and shrines, built with blocks of granite dating from the 8th century AD.
The monuments and temples at Mahabalipuram including the Shore Temple complex were collectively classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
History of Mahabalipuram Shore Temple
The south Indian state of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram was nicknamed “Seven Pagodas” since the first European explorers reached it. Legend has it that apart from the Shore Temple, six other temples once stood with it.
King Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava Dynasty is accredited for the architectural elegance of the Shore Temple as a structural temple complex. The Cholas later built additional parts of the temple after it took over Mahabalipuram from the Pallavas.
In December 2004, The Tsunami that struck the coastline of Coromandel exposed an old collapsed temple and also some ancient rock sculptures that used to decorate walls and temples during the Pallava period. It is inferred that this temple complex was the last in a series of temples that is believed to have existed in the submerged coastline. Only a portion of the Shore Temple was damaged during the Tsunami that occurred in December 2004.
Legend behind the temple
Myth associates the temple with the famous story of Prahalada and his father King Hiranyakashipu. Prahalada was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The King in his arrogance and rage dared to abuse the Lord and so was eventually killed by the Lord. According to the legend, Prahalada’s son Bali founded Mahabalipuram in this place.
Another myth goes on to state that the Gods caused floods to submerge a part of this temple and the city as they were envious of its architectural beauty.
The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple Structure
The Shore Temple complex encompasses three temples built on the same platform. The main Shore Temple with its chief deity Lord Shiva (in Lingam Form) faces east. This temple is five-storeyed and is built with sculpted granite stones.
The temple has three shrines – main and the second shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva while the third one dedicated to a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The entrance to the temple is from the western gateway through a barren vault Gopuram.
Other Prominent Features of the Temple
- The temple’s sanctum sanctorum having a small Mandapam, enshrines Lord Shiva, and is surrounded by a heavy outer wall with a small space in between for circumambulation.
- The other shrines found in the temple are that of Ksatriyasimmesvara, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga.
- Like the Vishnu shrine, the inner and outer walls around the two Shiva shrines include rich cultural depictions.
- The temple tower or Shikaras of the two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are octagonal in shape and have been built in the Dravidian style of architecture.
- The interior walls of the sanctum of the east facing Kshatriyasimhesvara temple features the Dharalinga and the Somaskanda panel.
- The outer walls of the Shore Temple also consist of artistic structures carved out of boulders, which have worn away in time due to its exposure to wind and water.
- At the entrance wall is a row of bulls representing Nandi (the holy vehicle of Lord Shiva).
- Shore temple stands as a background of the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival held in January/February every year.
- Shore Temple acts as a prominent landmark during the day grasping the first rays of the rising sun and was once believed to be a signal for navigation of ships at night.
- The temple does not involve active worship today but devotees can sometimes be seen worshipping and offering flowers to the deities.
- The temple structure is being conserved by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Significance of the Mahabalipuram Temple
The Shore temple marked an important transition from rock cut structures to free standing structural temple. It is a fine example of the Dravidian style of architecture. The significance of the Shore Temple also lies in the blend of religious harmony as it houses the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
How to reach Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram in Chengalpattu district is well connected through road to all major cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is at Chennai (around 55 kilometres away).
Epilogue
The Shore Temple is a perfect destination to explore if you are a lover of art and history. Soak in the beauty of the Shore Temple and the sea while you are in Mahabalipuram.
