The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram

The Shore temple located on the shores of Bay of Bengal at Mamallapuram in Chennai is considered to be one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India. Made of granite this temple is stands as a good example of the first phase of the structure of temples constructed in the Dravidian style.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill, including one depicting Arjuna's Penance as well as for other temples in the area. The temple is a combination of three shrines – two of them dedicated to Lord Shiva and the one to Lord Vishnu.