Mamallapuram Ganesha Ratha Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Mamallapuram Ganesha Ratha Temple, Kanchipuram

Mada Koil St, Mahabalipuram,

Kanchipuram district,

Tamil Nadu 603104

Phone: 044 2833 4822

Moolavar

Ganesh

Introduction

Ganesh Ratha Temple is a beautiful temple in Mahabalipuram constructed by the Pallavas. This structure is built in Dravidian style and is located towards the north of Arjuna Penance. It has been beautifully carved out from a rock that resembles a chariot. Earlier, this temple was lord Shiva’s shrine but now it is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. There used to be lingam in this temple, which has now been replaced by the idol of Ganesha. Among all the other ratha temples, it is the only completed structure. Ganesha Ratha is a temple in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of ten rathas (“chariots”) carved out of pink granite within the group of monuments of the Pallava Period at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site since 1984. The ratha is an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late seventh century during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Initially constructed with a Shiva Linga, it is now deified with a Ganesha deity after the linga was removed.

Puranic Significance

The Ganesha Ratha is a fully completed rock-cut structure, while nearby rathas are incomplete. The current stone ratha is a replica of a wooden version which preceded it. Its construction is credited to Narasimhavarman I who reigned 630-688AD. While it is conjectured that this ratha was built prior to the other rathas of the area, there is no historical evidence to confirm it. The temple was originally dedicated to Lord Shiva but in the 1880s, villagers replaced the Shiva Linga with an image of Ganesha, after formally seeking permission from the District Collector, and may have been attributed to George V of England. The original Shiva Linga is installed under a tree nearby. Along with several other monuments, this temple gained UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction in 1984 as “Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram”.

Special Features

It is built to a rectangular plan, and is 28 feet (8.5 m) in height on the exterior. The interior rectangular chamber measures 7 by 4 feet (2.1 m × 1.2 m), and is 7 feet (2.1 m) in height. The ratha is three tiered and studded with images and other architectural features which are found in other South Indian temples. The facade is a columned verandah flanked by sculptures of Dwarapalakas (guardians). The columns are mounted on seated lions which are the typecast design of Pallava architecture.