Since Marco Polo and other Europeans first started to travel here in the 13th century, the complex has been known as the Seven Pagodas. A name that has always seemed at odds with its appearance. Legend told that six other Pagodas should stand with it. If so, where were they?

Origins of the Seven Pagodas

Legend has it that the temple complex was built by Mahabali. In honour of the god Vishnu Seven Pagodas including the Shore temple were built. Mahabali did this in honour of his father Prahlada. Prahlada had fallen out with his father Prince Hiranyakasipu who refused to worship Vishnu.

He banished Prahlada but eventually relented, allowing him to return. Upon return, the arguments resumed. Prahlada, angry beyond words, shouted that Vishnu was everywhere, even in the walls of their home. His father mockingly kicked a pillar when out popped Vishnu, wearing the head of a lion and killed Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada eventually became the King, and retold this story to Mahabali.

The story does not end there though. The Seven Pagodas were so beautiful in their craftmanship that the other Gods became jealous. To redress the balance, they flooded the area, leaving only the Shore temple. After all, they couldn’t have one god having a temple more beautiful than the ones dedicated to them!

Persisting Rumours

Since then until present day, rumours, stories and legends have persisted about the Seven Pagodas. The Shore temple acted as a navigation point for wayfarers coming to the port city. This allowed the legend to be spread all over the world.

So persistent were these stories that plans were made to search the area just off the coast. Maybe there could be a ring of truth to the legend?

Before these excavations could begin, the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 hit the area. Devastating the entire region of Asia, it is considered the most deadly Tsunami in history, killing over 230,000 people.

Just before it hit the coast around the Shore temple, the sea pulled back. This is a known behaviour of Tsunamis. As they get close to shore, the water is pulled back, feeding the wave.

500 metres of coast were suddenly exposed.

The Truth

Tourists and locals alike were astonished. Laid before them was a temple complex not seen in at least 700 years! The glimpse would prove to be fleeting, as the Tsunami came inland, the Seven Pagodas were once again hidden beneath the waves.

A glimpse was enough. The lucky few who saw the waves pull back and survived to tell the tale did just that.

In 2005 the Indian Navy used sonar to survey the area. And confirmed the existence of at least two other temples. Crucially, these buildings were now much easier to find. The Tsunami had scoured away 100’s of years of sand deposits that had built up around the submerged complex.

Since then work has continued on the site and more has been uncovered. Before our very eyes a legend has been confirmed as truth. It was more likely a Tsunami that sunk this complex, rather than a vengeful god, but sunk it was.

All over the planet, similar stories to the Atlantis myth persist. I wonder how many others have their basis in reality? What other treasures are out there waiting for us to discover?

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