Ganesha Ratha

Ganesha Ratha is a temple in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of ten rathas carved out of pink granite in the group of monuments of the Pallava Period at Mahabalipuram; a UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site considering that 1984. The ratha is an example of monolith Indian rock-cut structure relationship from the past due seventh century within the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Initially a Shiva Linga with the development, its miles now ling after a Ganesha deity with deified eliminated. The Ganesha Ratha is a fully completed rock-reduce shape, even as near rathas are incomplete.

The modern stone is a reproduction of a wood version which preceded it. Its creation is credited to Narasimhavarman I who reigned 630 to 688AD. While it is conjectured that this ratha was constructed earlier than the alternative rathas of the vicinity, there's no ancient proof to verify it. The temple become at the start dedicated to Lord Shiva however inside the 1880s, the villagers changed the Shiva Linga with an picture of Ganesha, after the formally in search of permission from the District Collector and may had been attributed to George V of England. The unique Shiva Linga is set up beneath a tree close by. Along with numerous other monuments, this temple gained UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction in 1984 as Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.