Shore Temple, Hindu temple in Kanchipuram, India
Description
Shore Temple is a Hindu temple in Kanchipuram district, India, made of three separate shrines standing directly on the Bay of Bengal coast. The structure rises on a low platform, surrounded by a low wall, and the towers show stepped profiles of layered granite.
History
King Narasimhavarman II ordered the complex built in 725 CE during the Pallava dynasty, as part of a series of coastal structures. The site marked a shift from earlier rock-cut works to freestanding stone structures along the shore.
Culture
The name comes from the location right at the shoreline, where spray and wind constantly touch the stone surface. Visitors today see a site still used by worshippers and pilgrims, even though the sea has changed the walls over time.
Practical
The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and fewer people are on site. The paths around the site are mostly level, but the salty wind and moisture can make surfaces slippery.
Did you know?
Archaeologists believe that up to seven similar structures once stood along this coast, but were swallowed by the sea over the centuries. Today this complex is the only surviving witness of that Pallava shoreline.
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