Pallava Period Temples
Art & Culture › Architecture · Topic 1.19
Pallava temples (Pallava architecture), built in Tamil Nadu from the 6th to the 9th century CE from the capital Kanchipuram, mark the start of the Dravidian style. They passed through four stages: the rock-cut caves of Mahendravarman I; the monolithic rathas (Pancha Rathas) of Narasimhavarman I Mamalla at Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram; the structural temples of Rajasimha, such as the Shore Temple and the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram; and the late Nandivarman phase seen in the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple. The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram has been a UNESCO site since 1984.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Architecture
At a Glance
- Dynasty Pallavas of Kanchipuram
- Period 6th to 9th century CE
- Four phases Mahendra, Mamalla, Rajasimha, Nandivarman
- UNESCO Mahabalipuram monuments, 1984
- Importance Origin of the Dravidian style
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Architecture
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the general Dravidian Style and begins the dynasty-wise study of southern temples. It explains where the vimana and the pillared hall of the south first took shape. Previous topic: Temples of Jammu & Kashmir. Next topic: Rajaraja I and Rajendra I Main feature Tall vimana over the…">Chola Period Temples.
What Are the Four Phases of Pallava Architecture?
| Phase | Ruler and date | Type of work | Examples and place (all in Tamil Nadu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahendra phase | Mahendravarman I, c. 600 to 630 CE | Rock-cut cave temples called mandapas; simple pillars with square blocks and lotus medallions | Mandagapattu (Villupuram), Pallavaram (Chengalpattu), Mamandur (Kanchipuram), Vallam (Chengalpattu), Tiruchirappalli |
| Mamalla phase | Narasimhavarman I, c. 630 to 668 CE | Monolithic rathas and mandapas | Pancha Rathas and the Varaha and Mahishasuramardini mandapas at Mamallapuram (Chengalpattu) |
| Rajasimha phase | Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha, c. 700 to 728 CE | Structural stone temples | Shore Temple at Mamallapuram (Chengalpattu); Kailasanatha Temple and Airavatesvara Temple at Kanchipuram |
| Nandivarman phase | Nandivarman II Pallavamalla, 8th to 9th century | Smaller structural temples | Vaikuntha Perumal and Mukteswara temples at Kanchipuram |
Which Are the Famous Pallava Monuments?
| Monument | Place and district (Tamil Nadu) | Ruler and date | Key facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pancha Rathas | Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu | Narasimhavarman I Mamalla, 7th century | Five monolithic temples named Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna, Draupadi and Nakula-Sahadeva. Carved from single granite outcrops and never used for worship |
| Shore Temple | Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu | Rajasimha, c. 700 to 728 CE | Structural granite temple on the sea coast with two Shiva shrines, one facing east and one west, and a small Vishnu shrine between them |
| Arjuna’s Penance | Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu | 7th century | A vast open-air relief, also called the Descent of the Ganga, showing gods, animals and a cat doing penance |
| Kailasanatha Temple | Kanchipuram | Rajasimha, early 8th century | Sandstone temple with a cluster of small shrines around the main vimana, regarded as a mature Pallava work |
| Vaikuntha Perumal Temple | Kanchipuram | Nandivarman II, 8th century | A Vishnu temple with panels showing Pallava history |
What Else Should You Remember?
- Alternate names: Mamallapuram is also called Mahabalipuram, the Pancha Rathas are also called the Five Rathas or Pandava Rathas, and the Kailasanatha Temple is also called Rajasimheswara
- Pillar style: the Pallava pillar rests on a seated lion or a yali, a mark of the dynasty
- Vimana: a pyramidal tower with storeys, topped by a dome or kalasa, which grew into the Chola tower
- Material: granite and sandstone, with a shift from rock-cut to structural work in the 8th century
- Mahendravarman titles: he took titles such as Vichitrachitta and Mattavilasa, and wrote the play Mattavilasa Prahasana
- Mamallapuram: the port city also called Mahabalipuram in Chengalpattu district, named after Narasimhavarman I, who bore the title Mamalla
- UNESCO: the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1984
- Rathas: although called chariots, the rathas are temple models and show the shapes of later vimanas, with the Dharmaraja ratha as the tallest
- Shore Temple setting: the Shore Temple faces the Bay of Bengal and has weathered salt winds, so its conservation is a long-term task
- Kanchipuram: the Pallava capital, a centre of learning and temples, called a city of a thousand temples
- Religious patronage: the early Pallavas were Jain and Buddhist in part, then turned to Shaivism, and the Alvars and Nayanars sang in the same period
- Foreign link: Pallava art and script travelled to Southeast Asia, which is seen in Cambodian and Javanese monuments
- Inscriptions: Pallava Grantha and Tamil inscriptions give the names of kings and artisans
- Later effect: the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara builders took the Pallava vimana and hall as the base, as in Chola Period Temples and Hampi, Karnataka (also spelt Vijayanagar) Best-known patron Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty…">Vijayanagara Period Temples
- Rock-cut vs structural: the shift from carving into rock to building with cut stone blocks is the central idea of this topic, linked to Buddhist Rock-cut & Stupa Architecture (Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta Caves; Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati Stupas; Chaityas and Viharas)
- Compare with the north: at the same time the Nagara temple was growing in the north, as in Nagara Style
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Phase questions: match each ruler with rock-cut, monolithic or structural work
- Place questions: Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance at Mamallapuram
- Statement questions: rathas are monolithic and were not used for worship
- UNESCO: Mahabalipuram monuments inscribed in 1984
- Common errors: calling the Shore Temple monolithic, or crediting the Cholas with the Pancha Rathas
As an analytical point, the Pallava experiments in cutting, carving and finally building in stone show a continuity of craft. The living monuments at the coast raise real conservation and tourism questions.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Start of Dravidian Origin questions
- Phases Ruler and monument match
- UNESCO Heritage site facts
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Cholas, who raised the Dravidian vimana to its greatest height. Next topic: Chola Period Temples.
Key People and Terms
- Mahendravarman I Cave temple phase
- Narasimhavarman I Mamalla, rathas
- Rajasimha Structural temples
- Ratha Monolithic temple model
- Yali Mythical lion creature on pillars
- Mandapa Rock-cut hall, also pillared hall
Related Topics in Maarg Manthan
Study this topic together with these linked topics from other subjects.
- Pallava Dynasty of South India (Medieval History)
- Chalukyas, Pallavas and the Kalabhra Revolt (Ancient History)
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Caves: Mahendravarman I; rathas: Narasimhavarman I.
- Shore Temple: Rajasimha, structural.
- Kanchipuram: Kailasanatha and Vaikuntha Perumal.
- UNESCO: 1984.
- Pillar mark: lion base.
Do Not Confuse With
- Pancha Rathas and Pandava temples Names of Pandavas are later labels, not true dedications
- Shore Temple and Kailasanatha Coastal Mamallapuram versus inland Kanchipuram
- Pallava and Chola Origin of the style versus its peak
Memory Hook
Mahendra cut, Mamalla carved, Rajasimha built, Nandivarman ended.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about continuity of style and heritage care. These points give a balanced frame.
- Evolution Cave to rath to structural
- Conservation Salt air and tourism at the coast
- Cultural reach Spread to Southeast Asia
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Trace the evolution of Pallava temple architecture and assess its influence on later Dravidian temples.”
How to Answer
- Phases Four phases with rulers.
- Examples Caves, rathas, Shore Temple.
- Influence Chola vimana, Southeast Asia.
- Way Conserve the coast monuments.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four phases of Pallava architecture?
The four phases are the Mahendra phase of rock-cut caves, the Mamalla phase of monolithic rathas, the Rajasimha phase of structural temples such as the Shore Temple and Kailasanatha, and the Nandivarman phase of smaller structural temples such as Vaikuntha Perumal. Together they show the shift from rock-cut to built stone.
What are the Pancha Rathas?
The Pancha Rathas are five monolithic temples at Mamallapuram, carved from single granite outcrops in the time of Narasimhavarman I. They are named Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna, Draupadi and Nakula-Sahadeva. They were not used for worship and serve as models for later vimana and hall forms.
Which is the Shore Temple and who built it?
The Shore Temple is a structural granite temple on the coast at Mamallapuram, built by Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha in the early 8th century. It has two Shiva shrines facing east and west with a small Vishnu shrine between them. It is a part of the UNESCO site inscribed in 1984.
Where is the Kailasanatha Temple of the Pallavas?
The Kailasanatha Temple is at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and was built by Rajasimha in the early 8th century. It is a sandstone Shiva temple with a main vimana ringed by small shrines. It is regarded as a mature Pallava temple and a forerunner of the Chola tower.
Why are Pallava temples important for UPSC?
Prelims asks which Pallava ruler made which type of work, the sites at Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram, and the 1984 UNESCO listing. Mains uses them for the origin of the Dravidian style, the shift from rock-cut to structural work and coastal monument conservation. The key trap is calling the Shore Temple monolithic.
What is the difference between Pallava and Chola temples?
Pallava temples (6th to 9th century) are small, with rock-cut caves, monolithic rathas and early structural shrines of Rajasimha. Chola temples (9th to 13th century) are large, with tall stepped vimanas, as at Thanjavur, and with bronzes and murals. Pallava work is the origin and Chola work the peak of the Dravidian style.
What is the lasting importance of Pallava temples?
Pallava temples mark the beginning of the Dravidian style, with the storeyed vimana, the pillared hall and the lion-based pillar. The Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara builders developed these forms, and Pallava art also influenced Southeast Asia. Mamallapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Pancha Rathas at Mamallapuram are monolithic.
Each is carved from one rock.
2 The Shore Temple was built by Mahendravarman I.
It was built by Rajasimha, a later king.
3 The Kailasanatha Temple of Kanchipuram is a Pallava structural temple.
It dates to the Rajasimha phase.
4 Mamallapuram was inscribed by UNESCO in 1984.
As Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
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