The period of Narasimhavarman also saw the excavatiion at Mahabalipuram of a new type of monolithic temple known as rathas which were really rock-cut models of structural temples.
They are nine in number, and of them five are named respectively after the Pandava brothers, while the other four are respectively called Ganesaratha, Southern Pidariratha, Valaiyankuttai ratha and northern Pidari ratha.
“The rathas have a unique significance in the history of Indian art and architecture. Abounding in immense architectural potentialities and adorned with sculptural art of a truly classical quality, these monuments not only laid the foundation of the South Indian architecture but influenced to a considerable extent the development of art in the islands of Indonesia”.
The Diaupadi (Durga) ratha has the shape of a thatched hut. The Arjuna ratha is a more developed structure and anticipates the later examples of temple Vimanas. The Sahadeva ratha has an apsidal plan.
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The Bhima ratha has the shape of a wagon and is the predecessor of the gopuras of later times. The Dharmaraja ratha has three storeys. The pillars of these rathas are comparatively very slender, and have seated lions at their base.