Nakula Sahadeva Ratha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Nakula and Sahadeva Ratha | |
 Interactive map of Nakula Sahadeva Ratha | |
| Location | Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Part of | Main complex of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (vi) |
| Reference | 249-001 |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| Coordinates | 12°37′03″N 80°11′56″E / 12.61750°N 80.19889°E |
  Nakula Sahadeva Ratha Location of Nakula Sahadeva Ratha in Tamil Nadu  Nakula Sahadeva Ratha Nakula Sahadeva Ratha (India) | |
Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is a monument in the Pancha Rathas complex at Mahabalipuram, 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 monolith 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 Mamalla, or "great warrior") of 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 that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.[1]
Resembling a chariot (ratha), it is carved out of a single, long stone of pink granite.[1][2][3] Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as a temple, the structure was not consecrated because it was not completed[4] following the death of Narasimhavarman I.[2][3][5] The structure is named after the last two brothers of the Pancha Pandavas, of epic Mahabharata fame,[1][3][6] though the nomenclature is not supported by history.[7] The small unfinished structure is dedicated to the god Indra.
The structure is located at Mahabalipuram (previously known as Mammallapuram) on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal of the Indian Ocean in Kancheepuram district. It is approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Chennai (previously known as Madras), the capital city,[8] while Chengalpattu is about 20 miles (32 km) distant.[9]
The ratha complex is situated close to the shore line. Though the Nakula Sahadeva ratha is part of the Pancha Rathas, it is situated separate from the other four rathas. The Nakula-Sahadeva faces south, while the Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna and Draupadi Rathas face west.[5][10][11] The view from outside the ratha has similarity with the Chaitya Hall of a Buddhist temple, though on a small scale.[12]
Etymology
Though it is considered to be a monolith temple, "temple" is misnomer given that the five rathas were never completed,[13] as evidenced by uncarved bed rock at the pinnacle. Hence, the rathas were neither consecrated nor worship offered. The structure is named after the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, the last two born of the five Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharata fame.[14] Nakula Sahadeva is also referred to as "Gajaprishtakara",[15] a Sanskrit technical name for the backside of an elephant.[16]
