TOP 10 FACTS OF MAMALLAPURAM:

• The group of monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• There are five chariots dedicated to the Pandavas.

• There are bass reliefs (structures from the base of the rock) of the Descent of the Ganges that are very famous.

• These temples were built by three generations of the Pallava Kings and it took 200 years to plan and create the site.

• Shore temple is the most important of all.

• The Shore Temple is the last monument built and was built from the top to the bottom, unlike most others in general.

• Most of these monuments are monolithic, that is . carved out of one single rock.

• Shore Temple is built using the granite stones and it is one of the oldest stone temples in South India.

• In the time of Pallava dynasty, Mahabalipuram was popular trading port. It is said that the Shore Temple acted as a landmark for the navigation of ships.

• The existence of Mamallapuram and the Seven Pagodas have been recorded by some European travellers.