The Shore TempleA prominent seaport that finds mention in the works of ancient mariners, historians and travellers, Mahabalipuram (also known as Mammalapuram and Kadalmallai) is one of the oldest sites in India. It has been written about by Ptolemy and Hiuen Tsang and has been marked in a Spanish world map called Carta Catalana in the 14th century, where the site is referred to as Setemelti, probably referring to it as “Sette Templi” or Seven ...
more The Shore TempleA prominent seaport that finds mention in the works of ancient mariners, historians and travellers, Mahabalipuram (also known as Mammalapuram and Kadalmallai) is one of the oldest sites in India. It has been written about by Ptolemy and Hiuen Tsang and has been marked in a Spanish world map called Carta Catalana in the 14th century, where the site is referred to as Setemelti, probably referring to it as “Sette Templi” or Seven Temples in Spanish. It is said that there was evidence of trade with Rome, China and other Southeast Asian countries and it was a thriving port during the Pallava regime between the 7th and 10th centuries.
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