Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa
Shore Lion Mandapa
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Multi-period temple culture·🇮🇳 Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu, Mahabalipuram, India
About
About Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa
Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa in Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu, Mahabalipuram, India is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) temple complex attributed to Multi-period temple culture. Systematic survey and coring document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal citadel and workshop area. Dimensions temple 32 m × 18 m; court 45 m × 30 m; area 34.9 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Multi-period temple culture temple-complex with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 10 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Multi-period temple culture
- Purpose
- Temple and sanctuary complex
- Rediscovered
- 2009
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1139 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1929
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
12.6200° N · 80.1900° E · 10 m · 4 mapped features
Main Temple Cella
cellaMain Temple Cella at Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa — cella with stratified deposits
12.6206° N · 80.1876° ENorth Court Ancillary
courtNorth Court Ancillary at Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa — court with stratified deposits
12.6222° N · 80.1900° EPylon Gate
pylonPylon Gate at Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa — pylon with stratified deposits
12.6198° N · 80.1900° EAltar Platform
altarAltar Platform at Mahabalipuram — Shore Temple Ancillary Lion Mandapa — altar with stratified deposits
12.6183° N · 80.1913° E