Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, Rock-cut monument in Mahabalipuram, India.
The Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is a monument carved from a single piece of pink granite with decorated walls, small recessed panels, and a tiered roofline. It belongs to a group of five separate shrine models that sit along the coast at Mahabalipuram.
This structure was carved during the Pallava Kingdom in the 7th century but left incomplete when King Narasimhavarman I died. The project was part of a major artistic movement that shaped the region.
This monument is part of the Pancha Rathas complex, which shows how early South Indian temple design took shape through stone carving. The structure reflects the religious beliefs that people valued during the Pallava period.
The monument sits in Mahabalipuram on the coast south of Chennai and can be reached by various types of transport. Come during daylight hours to see the carved details and surroundings clearly.
Unlike the other four structures in the group that face west, this one is oriented toward the south. The arrangement reveals different design approaches between the individual monuments.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
