Arjuna Rath, Mahaballipuram, circa 7th.century A.D., Tamilnadu, India. These rathas were built by the Pallava king Narsimha (625-645 A.D.). They are small temples, each of which is carved out of a small piece of rock. Each of them is carved from a simple rock. They are monolithic in structure. They are similar to Buddhist viharas and chaityas. They are pyramidal in shape. Men and Gods are tastefully carved. This monolithic Vimana is one among five that carved out of a live rock. This small dvi-tala (two tiered) vimana consists, on plan a garbhagriha with a pillared Mukhamandapa. It shares an Upa Pitha with Draupathi ratha. The adhisthana is of simple Padabandha type. The pada portion has slit-niches between elegantly carved pillars carrying very handsome figures of Parthiharas, Amaras, a Siddha, a Chowri bearer, apsaras, and various deities like Vishnu, Skanda on elephant and Siva-Vrishabhantika. The upper tala (Storey) carries a hara with octagonal sikhara. There is a stupi carved out of the live rock but not detached from it, possibly to crown the Sikhara of the Vimana
