Varaha Cave Temple

Varaha Cave Temple at Mahabalipuram is a 7th-century Pallava rock-cut cave dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (cosmic boar) avatar, who rescued the earth goddess Bhudevi from the primordial ocean. The cave features four large sculpted panels: the magnificent Varaha panel showing Vishnu lifting Bhudevi, the Trivikrama panel, the Gajalakshmi panel, and a panel depicting Durga. The cave's bas-reliefs are considered masterpieces of Pallava sculpture and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. The site is accessed through a narrow entrance and the sculptures fill the entire rear wall of the cave.