The Shore temple located on the shores of Bay of Bengal at Mamallapuram in Chennai is considered to be one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India. Made of granite this temple is stands as a good example of the first phase of the structure of temples constructed in the Dravidian style.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill, including one depicting Arjuna's Penance as well as for other temples in the area. The temple is a combination of three shrines – two of them dedicated to Lord Shiva and the one to Lord Vishnu.