Shore Temple

The Shore Temple is a complex of temples and shrines that overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. The temple features a garbhagriha with a Sivalinga and a small mandapa, encased within a robust outer wall that allows limited space for circumambulation. The temple's architecture includes ornate roofs, orthogonal Shiva shrines, and a transverse barrel vault gopuram entrance. The dual pyramidal shikharas are highlighted by distinct, overhanging eaves. Sculptures, including imposing Nandi figures, dominate the outer walls and the area around the Vishnu shrine, with the temple's lower walls showcasing a series of rearing lions, enhancing its grandeur and sacredness