04-02-2005, 05:12 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Evidence of two more temples at Mahabalipuram </b>
K Venkataramanan/ Chennai
The ongoing excavation work in the vicinity of the historic Shore Temple at Mamallapuram has led to the discovery of the remains of two hitherto unknown temples, a leading archaeologist said here.
The remains of both temples are found to the south of the Shore Temple, now standing on the coast at Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, the ancient <b>port town famous for its rock sculptures and carvings dating back to the seven century AD</b>, Dr. Alok Tripathi, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, Archeological Survey of India (ASI), told a press conference.
The discovery lends credence to extant historical accounts of travellers and scholars that <b>there were 'seven pagodas' at Mamallapuram</b>, although only the Shore Temple survived. There is as yet no evidence of the remaining temples or the famous Mahabalipuram port to which traders are believed to have brought their commodities from many parts of the world, including Arabia and China, more than 1,300 years ago.
Referring to one temple whose remains are available in bigger sizes, Dr Tripathi said: "<b>This temple has a square garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) sized eight metres by eight metres, and a porch marking the entrance about 4.50 metres facing the sea."</b>
<b>"The east-facing temple was surrounded by an open courtyard and a prakara wall. The temple was probably 20 metres wide and 25 metres long," </b>he said. "We found chisels and a ring- shaped well," he added. The other temple's existence could be inferred from the remains of three rocks bearing marks of human activity. The superstructure is not available, but there is tell-tale evidence that there was a structural temple above them. <b>Further excavation in the vicinity revealed a Vaishnavite symbol</b>, Dr Tripathi said. "This one was possibly constructed on the sand itself, without much of a foundation.'
That these were remains of temples were confirmed by the discovery of "architectural fragments, mouldings, including parts of the shikara, and carved segments from the prakara and different parts of a temple," he said.
Besides these temples, the archaeologists have discovered a wall, about 70 metres long, that runs from a spot to the north of the Shore Temple on the shore up to some structural remains found below the sea. They were successful in identifying the link between some structures found off-shore with similar formations found under the sand. They form a single long wall, made of rock blocks with slits.
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The excavators infer that the shoreline had significantly changed over the years, and the sea level itself could have fluctuated during the intervening centuries.
"We can conclude with certainty that some more structures existed near the Shore Temple and their remains lie under water, that there is evidence of human activity near the submerged rocks and that there were some more temples on shore and the remains of one such temple have been unearthed during the recent excavation," Dr Tripathi said.
Mamallapuram was a famous port town during the reign of the Pallava Empire (seventh and eighth century AD), and became particularly famous during the rule of King Mahendra Varman and his son King Narasimha Varman I (also known as Mamalla, for his prowess in wrestling). The town is named after the latter. The marine and on-shore excavation was conducted from February 17, 2005 by the ASI with the help of the Indian Navy.Â
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K Venkataramanan/ Chennai
The ongoing excavation work in the vicinity of the historic Shore Temple at Mamallapuram has led to the discovery of the remains of two hitherto unknown temples, a leading archaeologist said here.
The remains of both temples are found to the south of the Shore Temple, now standing on the coast at Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, the ancient <b>port town famous for its rock sculptures and carvings dating back to the seven century AD</b>, Dr. Alok Tripathi, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, Archeological Survey of India (ASI), told a press conference.
The discovery lends credence to extant historical accounts of travellers and scholars that <b>there were 'seven pagodas' at Mamallapuram</b>, although only the Shore Temple survived. There is as yet no evidence of the remaining temples or the famous Mahabalipuram port to which traders are believed to have brought their commodities from many parts of the world, including Arabia and China, more than 1,300 years ago.
Referring to one temple whose remains are available in bigger sizes, Dr Tripathi said: "<b>This temple has a square garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) sized eight metres by eight metres, and a porch marking the entrance about 4.50 metres facing the sea."</b>
<b>"The east-facing temple was surrounded by an open courtyard and a prakara wall. The temple was probably 20 metres wide and 25 metres long," </b>he said. "We found chisels and a ring- shaped well," he added. The other temple's existence could be inferred from the remains of three rocks bearing marks of human activity. The superstructure is not available, but there is tell-tale evidence that there was a structural temple above them. <b>Further excavation in the vicinity revealed a Vaishnavite symbol</b>, Dr Tripathi said. "This one was possibly constructed on the sand itself, without much of a foundation.'
That these were remains of temples were confirmed by the discovery of "architectural fragments, mouldings, including parts of the shikara, and carved segments from the prakara and different parts of a temple," he said.
Besides these temples, the archaeologists have discovered a wall, about 70 metres long, that runs from a spot to the north of the Shore Temple on the shore up to some structural remains found below the sea. They were successful in identifying the link between some structures found off-shore with similar formations found under the sand. They form a single long wall, made of rock blocks with slits.
Â
The excavators infer that the shoreline had significantly changed over the years, and the sea level itself could have fluctuated during the intervening centuries.
"We can conclude with certainty that some more structures existed near the Shore Temple and their remains lie under water, that there is evidence of human activity near the submerged rocks and that there were some more temples on shore and the remains of one such temple have been unearthed during the recent excavation," Dr Tripathi said.
Mamallapuram was a famous port town during the reign of the Pallava Empire (seventh and eighth century AD), and became particularly famous during the rule of King Mahendra Varman and his son King Narasimha Varman I (also known as Mamalla, for his prowess in wrestling). The town is named after the latter. The marine and on-shore excavation was conducted from February 17, 2005 by the ASI with the help of the Indian Navy.Â
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