Next, we were bussed a short way to Five Rathas (Five
Brothers) or Pancha Rathas is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, on the
Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is an example of monolithic Indian
rock-cut architecture. Dating from the late 7th century, it is attributed
to the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I ("great
warrior"). An innovation of Narasimhavarman, the structures are without
any precedent in Indian architecture. The complex is under the auspices
of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is part of the UNESCO World
Heritage site inscribed by UNESCO asL Group
of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex
resembles a chariot (ratha), and each is carved over a single, long stone
or monolith of granite. Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as
temples, the structures were never consecrated because they were never
completed following the death of Narasimhavarman I.
Architecturally, these structures were representations
of Chinese and Hindu mythology.
Sue-On at last had the opportunity to go through her
morning Tai Chi ritual in a secluded spot behind the giant stone elephant
and a pile of giant boulders. Then it was time to move on to the shore
of the Bay of Bengal to explore the Shore Temple.