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Pancha Rathas in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Pancha Rathas or Five Rathas is exquisite complex structure situated at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kanchipuram district of the State of Tamil Nadu, India. It is an example of Monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture which was constructed in late 7th century. It is attributed to the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I, also called Mamalla, or "great warrior" of the Pallava Kingdom. An innovation of Narasimhavarman, the structures are without any precedent in Indian architecture.

These Pancha Rathas are named after the Pancha Pandavas and their common wife from the Mahabharata Epic, it includes Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjun Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha and Draupadi Ratha. Each complex is intricately carved out from a Single, long stone of Pink granite. However due to death of Narasimhavarman these structures were never completed and never consecrated. The purpose of their construction is not known as the structures were not completed. Each has a different layout, such as square, rectangular, or apsidal plans. The largest measures 42 by 35 feet, and the tallest is 40 feet high. The structural design and elevation are with towers or domes with single to triple towers, which present a unique exhibition of South Indian Dravidian architecture.


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