The Five Rathas are five temples in Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast near Chennai. Each one is carved from a single block of granite and shaped like a chariot, and each is named for one of the Pandava brothers or for Draupadi from the Mahabharata. The temples date to the 7th century Pallava period, and their forms differ: some are square, others circular or triangular, with pyramidal roofs and barrel-vaulted ceilings. You can walk from one to the next and compare their shapes, and the carvings on the walls and roofs reward a slow look.
Who carved the Five Rathas
The Five Rathas belong to the Pallava dynasty, which ruled this coast in the 7th century. Accounts differ on the king. The usual attribution is Narasimhavarman I, who ruled from 630 to 668 CE. Others name Mahendravarman I or Narasimhavarman II, who ruled from 690 to 725 CE.
Work stopped at the death of Narasimhavarman I, and the rathas look unfinished in places.
For a long time the temples lay partly hidden in sand. British archaeologists uncovered and excavated them about two centuries ago.
How the rathas were carved
The carvers worked on a small hill that slopes from south to north. They divided it into five sections and cut a temple into each one. Pancha Rathas translates as five chariots, and each structure is shaped to look like a chariot.
Because each temple is cut from the rock itself, nothing has been assembled. Look closely at the base, and you can see that the five structures are joined.
Each ratha has its own plan and height. Their heights run from one to three storeys, and their plans range from square to apsidal.
The five rathas
Dharmaraja Ratha is the tallest of the five and has a square plan. Bhima Ratha is the largest. Nakula and Sahadeva share a single ratha.
Near the Nakula-Sahadeva ratha, a carved elephant stands in the open grounds. A lion and a bull, known as Nandi, are also cut from single stones nearby.
Wear and weather
Sea breeze has eroded the sculptures over the years, and many fine details are gone. Take your time with the carvings that remain, and keep to the paths.
Do not lean on the stone or chip at its surface.
Getting there and planning the visit
The Five Rathas are about 1.5 km from Mahabalipuram bus station. From the entrance to the main group of monuments, the walk takes about 10 minutes.
One entrance ticket covers the Shore Temple, the cave temples and the Five Rathas. The three areas are close together and can be walked between easily. The whole town can be explored in two to three hours.
Arjuna's Penance lies about a 15-minute walk north of the Pancha Rathas. Stone carvers work in a row along the road near the site, where the sound of chisels is now often covered by angle grinders and electric drills.
Perguntas frequentes
Is one ticket needed for the Five Rathas?
One entrance ticket is valid for the Shore Temple, the cave temples and the Five Rathas. Keep it stamped at each monument you visit.
How long do you need?
The three main areas of Mahabalipuram, including the Five Rathas, can be explored in two to three hours.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March has pleasant weather. Early morning or late afternoon gives better light.
Can you buy drinks inside the site?
There are no facilities inside for buying drinks, so bring water.
What are the Five Rathas named after?
They are named after the five Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi from the Mahabharata.
