Within the expanse of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, the Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments are architectural marvels, encompassing temples, rock-cut caves, and sculptural reliefs. Built between 700 and 728 AD, the architecture of the 40 monuments is complemented with intricate carvings of Hindu deities, mythological scenes and stories from Hindu scriptures. Most striking are the monolithic rathas — temples sculpted in chariot forms — chiseled from a singular block of rock.