The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s2.40

c5.s2.40

Bânapura—1. Mahâbalipura or Mahâbalesvara or the Seven Pagodas, on the Coromandel coast, Chingleput district, 30 miles south of Madras. It was the metropolis of the ancient kings of the race of Paṇḍion. Its rocks are carved out into porticoes, temples and bas-reliefs, some of them being very beautifully executed. The ruins are connected with the Pauranic story of Bali and Vâmana. The monolithic "Rathas" were constructed by the Pallavas of Conjeveram, who flourished in the fifth century A.D. For descriptions of the temples and remains at Mahâbalipura, see JASB., 1853, p. 656. 2. Same as Soṇitapura.