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Thursday, April 22, 2021

Sail from Shore Temple to Sashtra Bahu Temple

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram- Tamil Nadu

 Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram- Tamil Nadu

A temple that stands on the shore of Mahabalipuram

A structure that resembles a giant chariot from a distance

A World Heritage Site from the 700 AD 

The Shore temple is a marvel to behold  

When the Pallavas ruled, King Narasimhavarma II

Built the temple in the flourishing port city 

It was to be a landmark for the ships that arrived 

The Cholas came next, invading the region, 

Adding more structures and expanding the Shore temple

There stood not one, but seven called the Seven Pagodas

Resembling the pyramids 

Source: Trip Savvy 

Years passed, and the tides rose 

One by one, the temples vanished into the waves 

Leaving behind just one structure 

To share the glory of the dynasties that ruled 

And of the story that comes from eons ago 

When Bali the son of Prahalada, 

The grandson of King Hiranyakashipu 

founded Mahabalipuram, the city with ancient history 

Source: Tripoto

Shore temple has another name

Jalashayana, lying in waters 

Due to its proximity to the sea

That continues to threaten to swallow it whole 

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Sahastra Bahu Temple, Udaipur- Rajasthan

 Whoever said a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law 

Cannot have a harmonious relationship 

When a mandir complex house two shrines 

One for each to pray to their favorite deities 

Source: Swan Tours

The story began thus, sometime in the 10th century 

When king Mahipala of the Kachchhwaha dynasty 

Build a mandir of Bhagwan Vishnu 

For his Queen Mahipala

Who was a great bhakt of the Sahastrabahu*

Inspired by the father, the prince followed his footsteps 

Built another shrine for Prabhu Shiva 

So that his queen could pray in peace 

With intricate carvings from Ramayana filling the space 

Source: Trip Advisor

What you see now are the ruins 

When the invaders and conquers 

Destroyed the temple 

Leaving bits and pieces for the future to see

Source: Patrika
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Note:

Sahastrabahu- the one with thousand arms 

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Source:

https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/shore-temple-in-mahabalipuram-001941.html 

https://udaipurtourism.co.in/sas-bahu-temple-sahastra-bahu-temple-udaipur 

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#FreeHinduTemples




15 comments:

  1. I am enjoying the temple trails. Thank you for doing this. Learning so much about our heritage, and our temples.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Chandra. :) I'm delighted to know this.

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  2. We used to live in Chennai (Madras) and often over a weekend, we'd drive down to Mahabalipuram. The Shore temple is indeed stunning. I remember drinking tender coconut water by the sea shore:) Fond memories--nudged by your post. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, wow. I'm so glad my post brought back those memories. <3

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  3. I love the Arjuna s penance piece in Mahabalipuram too

    Did not know about the second temple listed here and it pains when I hear of places being destroyed by invaders :(

    https://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2021/04/s-for-snake.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is heartbreaking, isn't it? Such marvelous structures being destroyed and denied their respect. :(

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  4. Visited Mahabalipuram quite a few times during my college days in Chennai.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, that's wonderful! I wish to go some day. :)

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  5. Finally, a temple that I have been to and seen with my own eyes... Mahabalipuram... It's indeed the shore temple true to its name. What a beautiful Mersmerizing temple it is... Can never forget those carvings.

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    Replies
    1. Girl, you are my inspiration now. You've visited at least some temples on my list unlike me with almost zero in my tally.
      I can imagine how beautiful the sight would have been if the pictures are so mesmerizing. :D

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  6. Maybe the waves are protecting. I am amazed to see the many, across India Lord Shiva temples. :-D

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    Replies
    1. That's certainly one way to think about it. Maybe you're right. :D
      Yeah, me too. Either we have more Shiva temples, or I ended up choosing those without knowing.

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  7. It was really a nice blog and I was really impressed by reading this. Thanks for sharing us. Rajasthan Budget Tour

    ReplyDelete