Pancha Rathas

Pancha Rathas (also known as Five Rathas or Pandava Rathas) is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the Kancheepuram district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. The complex was carved during the reign of King Narasimhavarman I (630–668 AD): the idea of realising monolithic buildings, an innovation in Indian architecture, is attributed to this ruler. The complex is under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed by UNESCO as Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

For other uses, see Pancha Ratha.
Not to be confused with Pancharatna (architecture).

Pancha Rathas
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Five Rathas of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), 630–668 AD
LocationMamallapuram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India
Part ofGroup of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Includes
CriteriaCultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (vi)
Reference249-001
Inscription1984 (8th session)
Coordinates12°36′31.7″N 80°11′22.6″E
Location of Pancha Rathas in Tamil Nadu
Pancha Rathas (India)
Dharmaraja Ratha
Bhima Ratha
Arjuna Ratha
Nakula Sahadeva Ratha
Draupadi Ratha

Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex resembles a chariot (ratha), and each is carved over a single, long stone or monolith, of granite which slopes in north-south direction with a slight incline.[1][2][3] Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as temples, the structures were never consecrated because they were never completed following the death of Narasimhavarman I.[1][3][4] The structures are named after the Pancha Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi, of epic Mahabharata fame.[2][3][5] In order of their size, they include the Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, and Draupadi Ratha.

Etymology

The monoliths are named after the Pandavas – Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishthira ("Dharmaraja"), Nakula and Sahadeva – and Draupadi. These names are considered to be a misrepresentation as the structures have no link to the iconic characters of the Mahabharata epic. They have no religious significance either, as they remained unfinished and unconsecrated; the uncut rock parts at the base and top of the rathas are still visible. The ASI confirmed the unfinished nature of the structures and suggested that they instead be referred to as vimanas. However, the Pandava names have become permanent.[1][6][7][8]

History
Main article: Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

According to a plaque displayed at the site by the ASI, the Pallava dynasty had planned the structures as models of chariots in rock based on prototypes of ancient rathas built in wood.[8] The Pancha Rathas were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Work on these five rathas was discontinued following the death of Narasimha Varman in 668 AD.[4][9] The purpose of their construction is not known as the structures were not completed. Part of the collection within the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, they were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.[2]

Geography

The site is located at Mahabalipuram (previously known as Mammallapuram), on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Kancheepuram district. It is approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Chennai (previously known as Madras), the capital city,[6] while Chengalpattu is about 20 miles (32 km) distant.[10] The structures are part of the nine monolithic rock cut structures seen here.[11]

  • Layout plan of the rathas
  • Plaque at the site, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle
  • A complete view of Pancha Rathas in Mahabalipuram.
  • Elephant sculpture amongst the rathas

Architecture

Layout

Each of the five rathas is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite. They are carved over a common mounted plinth which is north-south oriented with a slight slope. Each has a different layout, such as square, rectangular, or apsidal plans. The largest measures 42 by 35 feet (13 m × 11 m), and the tallest is 40 feet (12 m) high.

Representations

The Pancha rathas represent the diversity of Dravidian architecture of the time and it is likely that their original design traces back to wood constructions of temple chariots and were scale models or templates for much bigger temples built subsequently in Tamil Nadu.[5][12] Most of the rathas are stated to be modelled on the Buddhist Viharas and Chaityas.[9]

Design

The structural design and elevation are with towers or domes with single (ekathala) to triple (trithala) towers, which present a unique exhibition of South Indian Dravidian architecture. The chiseling done by the stone sculptors are occasional along joints between the stones. The walls are arranged and sequentially partitioned. The projections and recesses in these walls give the appearance of a set of shallow pilasters. The niches created in the walls are of rectangular shape and have carved sculptures of gods, demi-gods and the kings. The skirting around the images are of wild aquatic animals with "foliated tails and open jaws."[13] The wall pilasters have curved brackets, and columns on the porch provide support to an overhanging eave; arch windows occasionally carved with images are located above them. The mouldings culminate in parapets. The carvings above the eave overhangs are decorated roof forms in miniature size, which are seen in rows all round each of the structure.[13]

Preservation

The rathas have been preserved well on account of the sturdiness of their material, granite, and in spite of constant salty winds from the Bay of Bengal and catastrophic tsunamis in the 13th century and in 2004.[2][3][8]

Notable landmarks

The architectural elegance of the Dharmaraja Ratha is its pyramidal structure which rises in three steps. It is built with a square layout. Its composition has been accentuated with carvings of Hindu gods Harihara, Brahma, Skanda, Ardhanarishvara and King Narasimhavarman I. One of the distinctive carvings seen on the eastern face of the rahta is of Indra (a demi-god of rain and thunderstorms), seated on his mount Airavata (meaning: "a White Elephant"). There is also an independent monolithic stone sculpture of Nandi, adjoining this ratha in the open space. The next in order is the Arjuna Ratha, which is well decorated with an elegant façade and is akin to the Dharmaraja Ratha. Next in line is the Bhima Ratha built to a rectangular plan and with lion mounted columned (four columns) galleries on both long sides.

The Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is the next in line. It is built to a simple plan with no embellishing carvings in its apses. A stone monolithic sculpture of an elephant is fixed in the open space, next to this ratha. The Draupadi Ratha, which is the last in the line, is a square structure, which resembles a village hut with thatch roof. The fresco inside this shrine is of mother goddess Durga.[11][14]

References
  1. Five Rathas, Plaque at the site, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle
  2. "Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram". World Heritage. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  3. "Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram". Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  4. "Mahabalipuram". UCLA Education, South Asia. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  5. "The Rathas, monolithic [Mamallapuram]". Online Gallery of the British Library. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  6. Gunther, Michael D. "Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram". art-and-archaeology.com. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  7. Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul (12 November 2012). Asia and Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places. Taylor & Francis. pp. 554–555, 912–. ISBN 978-1-884964-04-6. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  8. "World Heritage Sites – Mahabalipuram: Group of Monuments Mahabalipuram (1984), Tamil Nadu". Archaeological Survey of India by National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  9. "Rock Cut Architecture". culturalindia.net. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  10. Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1982). South Indian Shrines: Illustrated. Asian Educational Services. pp. 157–. ISBN 978-81-206-0151-2. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  11. "A monumental effort". Front Line India's National Magazine from the publishers of The Hindu. 8 November 2003. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  12. "Pancha Rathas". Art-and-Archaeology.com. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  13. Michell 1977, p. 132.
  14. Schreitmüller, Karen; Dhamotharan, Mohan & Szerelmy, Beate (2012). Baedeker India. Baedeker. pp. 589–. ISBN 978-3-8297-6622-7.

Bibliography
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