Kashmiri Pandit
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Mahabalipuram is an ancient city located in the Kancheepuram district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Historically speaking, Mahabalipuram was once part of the Pallava Dynasty, a Tamil dynasty that ruled over part of southern India between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD. One of the architectural achievements of the Pallava kings was the construction of a complex of temples commonly known as the ‘Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram.’ Of these seven temples, only one - the Shore Temple, remains visible today. The other six temples are thought to have been submerged under the sea.
The Name of the Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram
Sources say that the name Mahabalipuram is meant to honor the benevolent King Bali, also known as Mahabali. This king is recorded to have sacrificed himself to Vamana, the fifth avatar of Vishnu, following which he is said to have attained enlightenment.
Mahabali sacrificing himself to Vamana. (Public Domain)
The Beautiful Architecture of the Seven Pagodas Enraged a Deity
The Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram were built during the reign of Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century AD. The Shore Temple is a building with five stories. Due to its position, the first rays of the rising sun would fall on the deity that this temple was dedicated to, Shiva. The role of the Pallava kings as patrons of the arts can also be attested by the fact that this temple is decorated with intricate bas-reliefs. Many other outstanding structures built during the reign of the Pallava kings were decorated similarly. Additionally, there are many monolithic sculptures scattered around the temple complex.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. (CC BY SA 3.0)
Remarkable as the Shore temple may seem, it is the six other submerged temples that have gained the most interest. According to a local myth, the beauty of Mahabalipuram aroused the jealousy of Indra, the deva of rain and storms. As a result, the deity is said to have submerged the entire city, including six of the seven temples, under the sea during a great storm. Only the Shore Temple was left above the water as evidence that this beautiful city had once existed. Whilst some believe that the myth is just a story, others are convinced that there are six temples under the waters somewhere off the coast of Mahabalipuram.
Underwater Investigations for the Remaining Six Temples
The latter belief led researchers to conduct underwater investigations in an attempt to prove that the myth of the Seven Pagodas was indeed based on real events. In an article published in May 2004, researchers reported that they had come across underwater structures during their investigations. These include “long walls having 2 to 3 courses, scattered dressed stone blocks of various sizes and shapes and stones having projections,” which were “considered to be man-made in nature.” Additionally, it was speculated that the structures were “probably constructed for diverse purposes.”
Stone block with the joinery projections (left) and steps leading to the platform (right) found underwater at Mahabalipuram, India. (National Institute of Oceanography)
In the same year, more evidence supporting the reality of the myth of the submerged temples came to light following the devastating tsunami that occurred on the 26th of December. During the tsunami, it was reported that “a long, straight row of large rocks emerge(d) from the water just before the waters rushed back again.” When the waters returned, these features were submerged again. Still, the force of the tsunami managed to expose some objects that were covered by centuries of silt. These objects include a large stone lion found on Mahabalipuram’s beach, as well as a half-completed rock relief of an elephant.
Lion statue that appeared after the December 26, 2004 tsunami on the beach of Mahabalipuram, India. (Public Domain)
Investigations Continue
These new discoveries have sparked renewed interest in the Mahabalipuram legend. Based on these new pieces of evidence, it has been speculated that the underwater structures off the coast of Mahabalipuram may have been part of a small seaport city. The investigators, however, have not jumped to the conclusion that these structures belonged to the legendary submerged temples. It is hoped that with further investigations, a greater understanding of these underwater structures can be gained and that the myth of the seven submerged temples might one day be considered as a true historical event.
Part of one of the submerged temples reportedly visible during low tide. Mahabalipuram, India. (Public Domain)
The Name of the Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram
Sources say that the name Mahabalipuram is meant to honor the benevolent King Bali, also known as Mahabali. This king is recorded to have sacrificed himself to Vamana, the fifth avatar of Vishnu, following which he is said to have attained enlightenment.
Mahabali sacrificing himself to Vamana. (Public Domain)
The Beautiful Architecture of the Seven Pagodas Enraged a Deity
The Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram were built during the reign of Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century AD. The Shore Temple is a building with five stories. Due to its position, the first rays of the rising sun would fall on the deity that this temple was dedicated to, Shiva. The role of the Pallava kings as patrons of the arts can also be attested by the fact that this temple is decorated with intricate bas-reliefs. Many other outstanding structures built during the reign of the Pallava kings were decorated similarly. Additionally, there are many monolithic sculptures scattered around the temple complex.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. (CC BY SA 3.0)
Remarkable as the Shore temple may seem, it is the six other submerged temples that have gained the most interest. According to a local myth, the beauty of Mahabalipuram aroused the jealousy of Indra, the deva of rain and storms. As a result, the deity is said to have submerged the entire city, including six of the seven temples, under the sea during a great storm. Only the Shore Temple was left above the water as evidence that this beautiful city had once existed. Whilst some believe that the myth is just a story, others are convinced that there are six temples under the waters somewhere off the coast of Mahabalipuram.
Underwater Investigations for the Remaining Six Temples
The latter belief led researchers to conduct underwater investigations in an attempt to prove that the myth of the Seven Pagodas was indeed based on real events. In an article published in May 2004, researchers reported that they had come across underwater structures during their investigations. These include “long walls having 2 to 3 courses, scattered dressed stone blocks of various sizes and shapes and stones having projections,” which were “considered to be man-made in nature.” Additionally, it was speculated that the structures were “probably constructed for diverse purposes.”
Stone block with the joinery projections (left) and steps leading to the platform (right) found underwater at Mahabalipuram, India. (National Institute of Oceanography)
In the same year, more evidence supporting the reality of the myth of the submerged temples came to light following the devastating tsunami that occurred on the 26th of December. During the tsunami, it was reported that “a long, straight row of large rocks emerge(d) from the water just before the waters rushed back again.” When the waters returned, these features were submerged again. Still, the force of the tsunami managed to expose some objects that were covered by centuries of silt. These objects include a large stone lion found on Mahabalipuram’s beach, as well as a half-completed rock relief of an elephant.
Lion statue that appeared after the December 26, 2004 tsunami on the beach of Mahabalipuram, India. (Public Domain)
Investigations Continue
These new discoveries have sparked renewed interest in the Mahabalipuram legend. Based on these new pieces of evidence, it has been speculated that the underwater structures off the coast of Mahabalipuram may have been part of a small seaport city. The investigators, however, have not jumped to the conclusion that these structures belonged to the legendary submerged temples. It is hoped that with further investigations, a greater understanding of these underwater structures can be gained and that the myth of the seven submerged temples might one day be considered as a true historical event.
Part of one of the submerged temples reportedly visible during low tide. Mahabalipuram, India. (Public Domain)
