Nakula Sahadeva Ratha
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.
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
Nakula and 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 |
Location of Nakula Sahadeva Ratha in Tamil Nadu Nakula Sahadeva Ratha (India) | |
Resembling a chariot (ratha), it is carved out of a single, long stone of pink granite. Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as a temple, the structure was not consecrated because it was not completed following the death of Narasimhavarman I. The structure is named after the last two brothers of the Pancha Pandavas, of epic Mahabharata fame, though the nomenclature is not supported by history. The small unfinished structure is dedicated to the god Indra.