Mamallapuram Pidari Rathas

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Site Name: Pidari Rathas
Site Type: Pallava architecture, sculpture, Ratha
Location:  2.5 kms from bus stand, Mamallapuram, near Chennai (55 kms from Chennai), Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: A little known beautiful ratha from Pallava kings
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai
Hotel: A lot of options are available within Mamallapuram and East Coast Road outside the town
Restaurants: Many options and varieties across the town

Mamallapuram, the ancient city of Pallava kings, is full of different types of wonderful monuments. Only few monuments are very popular among the tourists. There are few monuments such as Pidari Rathas which are not very popular and remain as little known monuments of this great town.

Pidari Rathas are located on the other side of the town, almost at the border of the town. Most of the monuments are located at the heart of the town and on the hill. Only Pidari Rathas and Valaiyankuttai Ratha are located at the remote location.

Pidari Rathas are two incomplete rathas; one ratha faces east direction whereas the other one faces north. Both the rathas have two storeys. In both, only the upper part is complete; the lower portion is not completely done. Above the cornice, the regular arrangement of miniature shrines are found in both the rathas. The shoe faced windows with human faces carved within are found on the cornice. In one of the rathas, the makara torana is carved in the niche in the side wall.

A small bas relief panel with Ganesha is found on the way to Pidari Rathas. It is not sure if it is a later addition.

When you go to visit Mamallapuram, just not stop with visiting the important sites. Ensure that you spend some effort and time to visit this extraordinary monument.

Happy travelling.

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