Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu - Steps to Olakaneeswara Temple, the Pallava Era Lighthouse
Olakaneeswara Temple. This east facing temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, occupies at the highest point in the entire Mahabalipuram town and provides the scenic view of the town. This temple was built using dressed slabs during (8th century) the reign of the Pallava dynasty king Rajasimha. It is presumed that this temple, built in a Dravidian Architectural style, had the temple tower and shikara and resembled the seashore temple. The temple has a small ardha-mandapa (half hall) and the rectangular sanctum sanctorum. Two sculpted images are found in the niches of the exterior walls.. No deity is found inside the temple. Worship was offered in this temple till the nineteenth century. But now these are missing. The temple can be accessed by climbing partly built up and partly rocky steps. A granite roof was constructed atop the temple to keep the light from 1887 to 1900. Mahabalipuram was a busy port under the Pallavas as early as the 7th century AD. Bonfires were lit on rocks even at that time to aid the mariners. The British first used the temple atop the Mahishasuramardini cave as a light. The first light was commissioned here in 1887. The lighthouse with a circular masonry tower made of natural stone became fully functional in 1904. India's oldest lighthouse, built around 640 AD by Pallava king Mahendra Pallava stands next to this modern structure. The Pallava era lighthouse is a protected monument, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu - Steps to Olakaneeswara Temple, the Pallava Era Lighthouse
Olakaneeswara Temple. This east facing temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, occupies at the highest point in the entire Mahabalipuram town and provides the scenic view of the town. This temple was built using dressed slabs during (8th century) the reign of the Pallava dynasty king Rajasimha. It is presumed that this temple, built in a Dravidian Architectural style, had the temple tower and shikara and resembled the seashore temple. The temple has a small ardha-mandapa (half hall) and the rectangular sanctum sanctorum. Two sculpted images are found in the niches of the exterior walls.. No deity is found inside the temple. Worship was offered in this temple till the nineteenth century. But now these are missing. The temple can be accessed by climbing partly built up and partly rocky steps. A granite roof was constructed atop the temple to keep the light from 1887 to 1900. Mahabalipuram was a busy port under the Pallavas as early as the 7th century AD. Bonfires were lit on rocks even at that time to aid the mariners. The British first used the temple atop the Mahishasuramardini cave as a light. The first light was commissioned here in 1887. The lighthouse with a circular masonry tower made of natural stone became fully functional in 1904. India's oldest lighthouse, built around 640 AD by Pallava king Mahendra Pallava stands next to this modern structure. The Pallava era lighthouse is a protected monument, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.