Posted by

Panch Ratha at Mahabalipuram - A connection to Mahabharatha?

Carved out from a monolith (single stone), the Panch Rathas at Mahabalipuram are some of finest examples of stone carved temples. Built in the 7th century AD during the reign of Pallava king Narsimhavarman I, they are today a UNESCO world heritage Site as part of Mahabalipuram collection of temples.

panch ratha five chariots mahabalipuram photo
Panch Rathas (Five chariots) at Mahabalipuram

What’s the connection to Mahabharata?

Well actually there is no known connection between the two, and these aren’t actually even Rathas. But somehow they are associated, without any historical basis, to the Pandavas. They are called Rathas just because their form resembles chariot shapes.

The five Rathas 

The first ratha is called Draupadi ratha, the wife of all five Pandavas. It’s one of the most subtle and delicate looking temple with a unique roof. It’s a legacy of the thatched roofs which were common then, taken as an inspiration here.

The next ratha is Arjun ratha, and is an exact replica of the last and the largest temple of the five. It shares the platform with Draupadi ratha. An huge but incomplete Nandi is right behind the temple.

arjun draupadi ratha mahabalipuram photo
Arjun (front) and Draupadi rathas

The next one is Bhima ratha and is the longest of them all. The roof is similar to Draupadi ratha, though it’s much longer.

bhim ratha mahabalipuram photo
Bhim ratha

The final ratha in the line is Dharmaraja ratha. It has some of the most beautiful and intricate carvings. The upper levels are far more complete than the lower portion due to the direction of carving.

dharmaraj ratha mahabalipuram photo
Dharmaraj ratha

dharmaraj ratha mahabalipuram photo
Details on Dharmaraj ratha

The last ratha is the Nakul-Sahdev ratha, and is not in the same line as others.

nakul sehdev ratha mahabalipuram photo
Nakul-Sehdev ratha

While I was exploring the site, I bumped into a couple of friends studying art in Bangalore. One of them was a painter and the other one was a sculptor. Imagine meeting a sculptor at one of man's most beautiful creations out of stone! Here's a quick selfie we managed before we parted ways.


Practical details

It’s located about 58 km from Chennai and easily reachable by road. I traveled by bus (ticket coat ₹80), but there are many taxis also. It’s easy to drive down as well.

Timing: 6am to 6pm
Entry fee: ₹30 (Indians) & ₹500 (foreigners), free to all below 15 years of age
Photography: free
Videography: ₹25 (without tripod)

panch ratha five chariots mahabalipuram photo
The Panch Raths
Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

Comments

  1. AartiApril 12, 2018 at 1:06 PM

    Do you know there are two more just beyond the light house ? they are called Pidari ratha and remain incomplete..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siddhartha JoshiApril 25, 2018 at 8:27 AM

      I did go there and took some pics...didn't know they were all part of the family :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 17, 2018 at 2:49 AM

      Good-day, I'm Josef Lewis. A reputable, legitimate & accredited lender. We give out loan of all kinds in a very fast and easy way, Personal Loan, Car Loan, Home Loan, Student Loan, Business Loan, Inventor loan, Debt Consolidation. etc

      Get approved for a business or personal loans today and get funds within same week of application. These personal loans can be approved regardless of your credit and there are lots of happy customers to back up this claim. But you won’t only get the personal loan you need; you will get the cheapest one. This is our promise: We guarantee The lowest rate for all loans with free collateral benefits.

      We strive to leave a positive lasting impression by exceeding the expectations of my customers in everything I do. Our goal is to treat you with dignity and respect while providing the highest quality service in a timely manner. No social security Number required and no credit check required, 100% Guaranteed. Kindly respond immediately using the details below if interested in a loan and be free of scams..

      Email: progresiveloan@yahoo.com
      Call/Text +1(603) 786-7565 thanks


      Delete
  2. R Niranjan DasApril 13, 2018 at 6:57 PM

    Love the carvings here. Nice frames.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siddhartha JoshiApril 25, 2018 at 8:27 AM

      Thanks a lot Niranjan! It is indeed a lovely place...

      Delete
  3. rupam sarmaApril 13, 2018 at 7:45 PM

    Just loved the post. Brilliant photography.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BamaApril 14, 2018 at 7:27 AM

    These ancient monuments in Mahabalipuram are among the highlights of my trip to Tamil Nadu more than two years ago. Architecturally, I like Draupadi Ratha the most because of its elegant simplicity. Although the rest of the compound is by all means impressive, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gifts SGApril 14, 2018 at 10:37 PM

    This is something that must really visit one day. Nice, Nice, Nice.... thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hidden IndiaApril 17, 2018 at 1:10 PM

    Wow!! awesome Blog and the best thing is I have found some relevant news from your blog. The collection of amazing pictures is a total add-on. Thanks For it. keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  7. group toursApril 18, 2018 at 4:39 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing a great information. I appreciate your time and effort in your work. Keep posting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. EvelynApril 26, 2018 at 11:57 AM

    Great blog and the pictures are stunning. Really loved reading it. Thanks for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Debra SchroederApril 30, 2018 at 12:34 AM

    What a stunning temple! So impressive that it was carved out of a single stone. Thanks for the info about the cost to reach it by bus.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kirstie SaldoApril 30, 2018 at 4:47 PM

    Your photos are stunning! I especially loved the carvings on the roofs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. MarviApril 30, 2018 at 9:05 PM

    What lovely temples! India has always fascinated me with its temples and legends and this is definitely one of those temples that I’d like to visit one day. So cool to know that the thatched roofs that we sometimes see today have been inspired here. Love your photos, btw!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Niels ThomasMay 2, 2018 at 4:00 PM

    Great article and beautiful pictures of the temples. Were you able to get any closer or is it not possible to walk between the structures? :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Suruchi MittalMay 2, 2018 at 6:28 PM

    We saw Panch Rathas during our trip to Mahabalipuram and was completely amazed to see the carvings and intricate designs on it. They are really beautiful.
    Thanks for explaining the connection between Panch Rathas and Mahabharata.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Archana SinghMay 2, 2018 at 6:46 PM

    I remember following your journey on Instagram. The place looks so incredible. I wonder how advance our architecture was in the earlier days. Imagine whole raths and temples being carved out from monoliths. And, since 7th AD they are still intact. Marvellous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ami BhatMay 2, 2018 at 9:16 PM

    In fact, I believe these are just protypes for some other monuments. I have been here thrice at least and every time I find something new here. They are just so well done. There are so many tiny details to each of these.

    ReplyDelete
  16. persuasive term paper freeMay 7, 2018 at 3:59 PM

    It's just incredible beauty, you can not even believe that it was created by people without the help of modern technology and knowledge in antiquity.

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMay 19, 2018 at 4:27 PM

    very nice post

    I like It
    I Want to Visit there One Time http://travelrahi.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownMay 26, 2018 at 7:45 AM

    This Kalahasti temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam. Here god Shiva aspect is Vayu. ChennaiTours.in offer Mahasivaratri Festival Kalahasti tour package from Chennai. This festival is very famous in Kalahasti and around lakhs of people visit here to blessings from lord Shiva.
    Chennai To Kalahasti Tour Package | Kalahasti Tour Package From Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tyler WalkerJune 14, 2018 at 1:11 PM

    Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel in India. Maybe you can check it out. Here is the ink: https://www.ahataxis.com/blog/

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownJune 18, 2018 at 3:18 PM

    I really like it. thanks for sharing the information. i went to visit there . pitchers are nice. https://bit.ly/2JBPePv

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownJuly 18, 2018 at 10:56 PM

    many reasons are there why Panch Rathas at Mahabalipuram fantastic place to visitors
    thanking you for giving me this information .your pictures are really stunning. If you want to ask a question about Mandawakothi Hotel Rajasthan. I recommend The Kothi is an intimate heritage property, converted from an old haveli to become a modern boutique hotel.mandawakothi .Rajasthan visitors can stay with happy time and Heart relaxes.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anthony JuniorJuly 21, 2018 at 11:59 PM

    This is a great blog. I am pretty much impressed with your good work. You put really very helpful information, Keep it going.
    Roadrunner Email Sign in

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dibakar BalaJuly 23, 2018 at 4:45 AM

    Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. Even the SEO of your website is pretty strong. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  24. temple run 3July 26, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    This place was built a long time ago.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sushmita KapoorJuly 30, 2018 at 11:53 AM

    wow..nice...i am happily reading your blog post

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sushmita KapoorAugust 2, 2018 at 11:27 AM

    Nice to read this article...very informative...

    ReplyDelete
  27. cenfoceAugust 11, 2018 at 3:56 PM

    how to buy Poxet 90mg in india

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ankita SinghAugust 12, 2018 at 2:43 PM

    Wow nice and amazing blog post. It's very informative.
    https://www.bharattaxi.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownAugust 13, 2018 at 4:39 PM

    check out some malegra 25 reviews online

    ReplyDelete
  30. Neha MalhotraAugust 16, 2018 at 7:01 PM

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful information. Get discount on house hold shiffting services from movers and packers

    ReplyDelete
  31. PrashantAugust 25, 2018 at 5:50 PM

    Thanks Siddhartha for sharing this valuable post.

    7 days tour rajasthan solve your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Leni alexzenderAugust 27, 2018 at 11:44 AM

    The images are stunning and enough to trigger curiosity about the temples. I can see the incised paintings done so beautifully. It really is a big deal to do the artwork with such fine finishing with mere use of hammer and a chisel. Hats off to their passion and creativity, now this place is in my soon-to-visit list of places

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment