Pancha Rathas

Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) at Mahabalipuram is a group of five monolithic rock-cut temple chariots carved from single granite outcrops in the 7th century CE during the Pallava period, under King Narasimhavarman I. Each ratha is named after one of the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata and Draupadi. Despite their name and appearance, none of these structures was ever used as an actual temple — they were carved as architectural models or experiments, never completed or consecrated. The rathas showcase five different styles of Dravidian temple architecture and are considered among the finest examples of early South Indian rock-cut architecture. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.