Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, was the chief seaport of the Pallavas who ruled most portions of South India from the first century B.C to the eighth century A.D., and it is now recognized as the site of some of the greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India. Under the reign of Narasimha Varman, this seaport began to grow as a great artistic center. The beautiful cave temples carved from blocks of granite date back to the seventh century. At the southern edge of Mahabalipuram is a group of five freestanding temples. Four of them were carved out of a single long granite boulder. These temples, which are detailed replicas of ancient wooden structures.