33-695: The Draupadi Ratha is a monument in the Pancha Rathas complex at Mahabalipuram , previously called Mamallapuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal , in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu , India . It is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture . Dating from the late 7th century, it is attributed to the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I (630–680 AD; also called Mamallan, or "great warrior") of
66-490: A height of 18 feet (5.5 m). Over the upapptha , which forms a common platform with the Arjuna Ratha, a stupi has been carved out of the bedrock in the corner and has not been separated from the main shrine. The roof has curvilinear shape and ends as a square of 2.5 feet (0.76 m) at the top. The finial is missing. The thatched roof, Kutagara , is a Vimana shrine. It has been carved out of granite rocks, beginning from
99-405: A single bend style during Rajasimha's rule. The entrance door is 6’-7" by 2’-11" in size and the chamber which houses the deities measures 6.5 feet (2.0 m) in length and 4.5 feet (1.4 m) width. The temple is classified as Manikkoil, temples with only a single-tiered roof consisting of only Kantha, Stupi and Kalasa . Numerous images of Durga are seen represented in the temple, notably on
132-594: A slight incline. Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as temples , the structures were never consecrated because they were never completed following the death of Narasimhavarman I. The structures are named after the Pancha Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi , of epic Mahabharata fame. In order of their size, they include the Dharmaraja Ratha , Bhima Ratha , Arjuna Ratha , Nakula Sahadeva Ratha , and Draupadi Ratha . The monoliths are named after
165-539: A slight slope. Each has a different layout, such as square, rectangular, or apsidal plans. The largest measures 42 by 35 feet (13 m × 11 m), and the tallest is 40 feet (12 m) high. The Pancha rathas represent the diversity of Dravidian architecture of the time and it is likely that their original design traces back to wood constructions of temple chariots and were scale models or templates for much bigger temples built subsequently in Tamil Nadu. Most of
198-592: Is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram , on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal , in the Chengalpattu district of the state of Tamil Nadu , India . Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture . The complex was initially thought to have carved during the reign of King Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE). However, historians such as Nagaswamy attributed all of monuments in Mahabalipuram to Narasimhavarman II (c. 690–725 CE) with
231-424: Is approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Chennai (previously known as Madras), the capital city, while Chengalpattu is about 20 miles (32 km) distant. The structures are part of the nine monolithic rock cut structures seen here. Each of the five rathas is a monolith , carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite. They are carved over a common mounted plinth which is north–south oriented with
264-455: Is approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Chennai (previously known as Madras), the capital city, while Chengalpattu is about 20 miles (32 km) distant. The Draupadi Ratha is at the northern extreme end of the Pancha Rathas, on the elongated bedrock upon which they are carved. The ground slope rises from the north end towards the southern direction. The feature of this ratha and
297-454: Is built with a square layout. Its composition has been accentuated with carvings of Hindu gods Harihara , Brahma , Skanda , Ardhanarishvara and King Narasimhavarman I. One of the distinctive carvings seen on the eastern face of the ratha is of Indra (a demi-god of rain and thunderstorms), seated on his mount Airavata (meaning: "a White Elephant"). There is also an independent monolithic stone sculpture of Nandi , adjoining this ratha in
330-565: Is dedicated to the Goddess Durga, though the deity is reported to be of a later period. All the Pancha Rathas are aligned in a north–south direction and share a common plinth. They have no precedent in Indian architecture and have proved to be "templates" for building larger temples in the South Indian tradition of Dravidian temple architecture. Though cut out of monolithic rocks, they are carved in
363-618: Is fixed in the open space, next to this ratha. The Draupadi Ratha , which is the last in the line, is a square structure, which resembles a village hut with thatch roof. The fresco inside this shrine is of mother goddess Durga . Kalasa Kalasa is a taluk located in Chikmagalur district in Karnataka . Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva . Kalasa lies 92 Kilometres South-west of Chickmagalur and
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#1732873210368396-500: Is inferred as a flower offering by the devotee), and another devotee (with tied tresses exposing his neck to be cut} on her right mutilating his body parts, also in offering; this was a Hindu rite associated with the Kapalikas . This type of offering to a goddess, though ghastly, is seen in many Durga temples; it is related to the myth of her role as Mahisasuramardini (slayer of demon Mahishasura ). Durga images in niches have depictions of
429-609: Is located on the banks of the Bhadra River . Kannada language is spoken here. The history of this region is also associated with the Santara dynasty, a medieval ruling dynasty located in present-day Karnataka, India. Edgar Thurston mentions that the Santaras were among the powerful Bunt chiefs who seem to have exercised control over a greater part of the Tuluva country before the rise of
462-579: The Pallava Kingdom . The entire complex is under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and is one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Resembling a chariot ( ratha ), it is carved out of a single, long stone of granite. Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as a temple , the structure was not consecrated because it
495-696: The Vijayanagara Empire . The Santaras were Jains and had matrimonial relations with the Saivite Alupa royal family of the canara region. The Santaras built a number of Jain monuments and were responsible for the spread of Jainism in the Tulu Nadu and Malenadu region of Karnataka. During this period, the Santara ruler Veera Pandya Bhairarasa erected the monolith of Bahubali in Karkala. Temples Other places Due to
528-528: The Pandavas – Arjuna , Bhima , Yudhishthira ("Dharmaraja"), Nakula and Sahadeva – and Draupadi . These names are considered to be a misrepresentation as the structures have no link to the iconic characters of the Mahabharata epic. They have no religious significance either, as they remained unfinished and unconsecrated; the uncut rock parts at the base and top of the rathas are still visible. The ASI confirmed
561-491: The appearance of a set of shallow pilasters. The niches created in the walls are of rectangular shape and have carved sculptures of gods, demi-gods and the kings. The skirting around the images are of wild aquatic animals with "foliated tails and open jaws." The wall pilasters have curved brackets, and columns on the porch provide support to an overhanging eave; arch windows occasionally carved with images are located above them. The mouldings culminate in parapets. The carvings above
594-441: The back wall standing on a lotus, in what is termed as "sambhaga" (standing) posture with four hands, with the upper hands carrying a shankha and a chakra and one lower hand is in an vara mudra (posture of a blessing) and the other hand is on hip. The ornament worn is a breast-band without any halter straps. She is surrounded by devotees with a devotee on her left about to decapitate himself as an offering (in another version it
627-492: The chamber of the temple carvings are shown within two pilasters with decorations of a "florid makara torana" with double bends. The depictions inside the ratha also include four ganas ( goblins ) at the top of the central panel, flanking Durga; two goblins on outer side are holding small swords where as those on inner side are shown with one hand raised in worship mode. Pancha Rathas Pancha Rathas (also known as Five Rathas or Pandava Rathas or Ainthinai kovil)
660-505: The discovery of new inscriptions. The complex is under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 1984 as Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram . Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex resembles a chariot ( ratha ), and each is carved over a single, long stone or monolith, of granite which slopes in north–south direction with
693-500: The eave overhangs are decorated roof forms in miniature size, which are seen in rows all round each of the structure. The rathas have been preserved well on account of the sturdiness of their material, granite, and in spite of constant salty winds from the Bay of Bengal and catastrophic tsunamis in the 13th century AD and in 2004. The architectural elegance of the Dharmaraja Ratha is its pyramidal structure which rises in three steps. It
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#1732873210368726-566: The five rathas were never completed, as evidenced by uncarved bedrock at the pinnacle. Hence, the rathas were neither consecrated nor worship offered. The incomplete status of all the five rathas is attributed to the death of the king Narasimhavarman I in 668 AD. Even the epic name, Draupadi , the common spouse of the Pandavas , is not supported by history. Along with several other monuments, this ratha gained UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction in 1984 as "Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram." The temple
759-536: The form of structural temples in regular building form and hence termed as "quasimonolithic temple form." Draupadi is the smallest of the five rathas at the site and is carved out of single long stone of granite. It is built in the form of simple hut, sharing an upapitha (secondary platform) with Arjuna Ratha . The ratha is in a square plan and is in the shape of a bangla ("a hut in Bengal"). Its exterior dimensions are 11 by 11 feet (3.4 m × 3.4 m), rising to
792-520: The goddess standing on a buffalo head representing the Mahishasura. The adoption of the elephant-lion combination is inferred as more of a Buddhist tradition which was modified in the Pallava architectural style when animal motifs were added. The lion, which is the vehicle of Durga, is a 6 feet (1.8 m) high stone sculpture carved from a boulder located in the prakara of the ratha. In the three niches in
825-612: The open space. The next in order is the Arjuna Ratha , which is well decorated with an elegant façade and is akin to the Dharmaraja Ratha. Next in line is the Bhima Ratha built to a rectangular plan and with lion mounted columned (four columns) galleries on both long sides. The Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is the next in line. It is built to a simple plan with no embellishing carvings in its apses. A stone monolithic sculpture of an elephant
858-420: The other four cannot be definitely dated to any other similar constructions in the past in any ancient Indian architecture. However, the five rathas have been forerunners or templates for the development of Indian temple architecture. Like the other four Pancha Rathas, this stone one is a replica of a wooden version which preceded it. Though it is considered to be a monolith temple, "temple" is a misnomer given that
891-447: The proximity of Kalasa to the coastal districts, cultural appropriation has taken place. Many cultures, including Deity worship, Bhutakola , Yakshagana , and coastal arts have been part of the native culture. Along with this, the use of Tulu language is also prevalent. Kalasa lies amidst Malenadu at a distance of 119 km from Mangalore , 310 km from Bengaluru and 85 km from district headquarters Chikmagalur . Horanadu
924-516: The rathas are stated to be modelled on the Buddhist Viharas and Chaityas. The structural design and elevation are with towers or domes with single (ekathala) to triple (trithala) towers, which present a unique exhibition of South Indian Dravidian architecture. The chiseling done by the stone sculptors are occasional along joints between the stones. The walls are arranged and sequentially partitioned. The projections and recesses in these walls give
957-452: The sanctum and also on the exterior surface of the east facing wall. The shalabhanjikas or two female dwarapalakas guard the doorway, which are also in the form of the Goddess. The temple is stated to generate "primal energy" in consonance with the characteristics of deity of Durga; the dwarapalika on the left has a bow in her hand and that on the right has a sword. The sanctum depicts Durga on
990-518: The top of the rock working downwards to the base. The roof is similar to that of a hut, with decorative motifs in the joints. The entrance of the temple faces west. The entry door is carved over a high rise platform, which is supported by on which is supported on elephant and lion heads of large size in alternating sequence. There are " makara torana " arch decorations with two bends above the entrance door; these toranas are typical of Mahendraverma's style and are also seen in caves and later got modified to
1023-568: The unfinished nature of the structures and suggested that they instead be referred to as vimanas . However, the Pandava names have become permanent. According to a plaque displayed at the site by the ASI, the Pallava dynasty had planned the structures as models of chariots in rock based on prototypes of ancient rathas built in wood. The Pancha Rathas were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Work on these five rathas
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1056-555: Was discontinued following the death of Narasimha Varman in 668 AD. The purpose of their construction is not known as the structures were not completed. Part of the collection within the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram , they were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The site is located at Mahabalipuram (previously known as Mammallapuram), on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Kancheepuram district. It
1089-451: Was not completed due to the death of Narasimhavarman I. The structure is named after the common consort Draupadi of the Pancha Pandavas , of epic Mahabharata fame, though the nomenclature is not supported by history. The unfinished structure is dedicated to the goddess Durga . The site is located at Mahabalipuram (previously known as Mammallapuram) on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal of Indian Ocean in Kancheepuram district. It
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