Submitted by Phillip C. Strickland
Pancha Rathas
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Category: Monuments
A marvel from the Pallava Period, carved in the 7th century CE, the Arjuna Ratha - one of the five Pancha Rathas - stands as one of the many triumphs of monolithic Dravidian architecture at Mahabalipuram, a town on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu. This monument bears the name of Arjuna, the heroic prince and protagonist of the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. Today, the Pancha Rathas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing extraordinary salience to South Indian culture and history. Though the monument was never completed, its grandeur and lavish ornamentation continue to capture the awe of visitors.
