Submerged Pagodas of Mahabalipuram - Study based on underwater investigations
Date
2006Author
Sundaresh
Gaur, A.S.
Tripati, S.
Vora, K.H.
Rao, K.M.
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Mahabalipuram, the famous centre of Pallava art and architecture is situated on the east coast of India. The local traditions and the foreign accounts are vividly referring the submergence of six temples out of seven pagodas where only one now has subsisted. Recent underwater archaeological explorations in the area have revealed many structural remains including fallen walls, scattered dressed stone blocks, a few steps leading to a platform and many other structural remains. The structures were badly damaged and scattered due to underwater strong currents and swells. Though thick biological growth cover the details, if any, on the stone blocks, based on the structural alignment and form, they are considered to be man made structures. The available data reveal presence of a large building complex, now submerged. Based on the archaeological evidences around Mahabalipuram, the earliest possible date of these structures could be around 1500 years BP. The major cause of the submergence of these structures is severe coastal erosion.
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