The historic Shore Temple, nestled in Tamil Nadu’s Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It has now achieved a significant milestone by becoming India’s first green energy archaeological site. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the oldest stone temples in South India, dating back to the 7th century. This achievement was possible through a Green Heritage Project, a joint initiative between Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (Renault Nissan Tech) and Hand in Hand India (HiH).
The Shore Temple will be illuminated using clean and sustainable solar power. Three solar plants with a capacity of 10 kilowatts have been strategically installed to harness the large solar energy in the region. Notably, surplus energy produced by these solar plants will be channelled back into the grid as storage and will be kept for its future contribution needs, while minimising environmental impact.
With the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), the project has taken steps to support the adoption of clean transportation. A dedicated parking shed equipped with three charging units has also been installed to facilitate the recharging of electric vehicles.
The Shore Temple overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. That’s how it derives its name. The temple complex is actually built on the shore. The complex has three different shrines. The temples’ architecture reflects a blend of the Dravidian and Pallava styles. The smaller Vishnu shrine is situated in the middle of the two Shiva shrines. The two larger shrines have spires or vimana with intricate carvings on them.
The Shore Temple complex is open from 6 am to 6 pm. The place is well connected with the main city. You can take a bus to Mahabalipuram from Kanchipuram. Around the complex, you can walk around or cycle your way through the small town and explore.
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