Sculptured Rocks, At Mavalipuram, On The Coast Of Coromandel, Thomas Daniell, 15 October 1799

Plate 1, part 5. Image from oriental scenery. Mahabalipuram, on the coast of india south of madras, is known for its early group of temples and monolithic sculptures from the time of the pallava dynasty in the 7-8th cenuries ad, when the site was the port for their inland capital at kanchipuram. The 'pancha ratha' form a group of five temple-monoliths carved out of granite to resemble raths, the wooden chariots used during religious processions to carry the statues of the divinities. Next to the shrines are a monolithic lion and elephant, the vahana or vehicles of the gods. Object Type: print. Date: 15 October 1799. Place of creation: London. Dimensions: height: 42.6 cm (16.7 in); width: 59.7 cm (23.5 in). Medium: aquatint print coloured. Collection: British Library. Oriental Scenery Part 5 Fig 1