MAHABALIPURAM (MAMALLAPURAM) TOURISM | PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO MAHABALIPURAM

At a distance of 2 km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, the Shore Temple is an ancient temple situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal in Mahabalipuram. It is one of the most photographed monuments of heritage in India, and among the must-visit Mahabalipuram tourist places.

Shore Temple was built in the 7tcentury CE by Pallavas during the reign of Narasimhavarman. It is one of the oldest temples in South India constructed in the Dravidian style and depicts the royal taste of the Pallava dynasty. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'. It is one of the must include places in Mahabalipuram trip.

Shore Temple is a structural temple built with blocks of granite. It is so named because it overlooks the Bay of Bengal. The Shore Temple .....

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At a distance of 0.5 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station (on Mada Koil Street), Arjuna's Penance or Bhagiratha's Penace is the name of a massive open air bas-relief monolith dating from the 7th century CE. Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high, the bas-relief is also known as The Descent of Ganga. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

In one interpretation, a figure in the bas-relief who is standing on one leg is said to be Arjuna performing an austerity Tapas to receive a boon from Shiva as an aid in fighting the Mahabharata war.

The bas relief is situated on a rock with a cleft. Figures within the cleft are said to represent the River Ganges and Shiva. This provides the basis for an alternative interpretation, rather than Arjuna, the figure performing austerities is said to be Bhagiratha.

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At a distance of 0.5 Kms around Mahabalipuram Bus Station, there are 14 rock-cut carves and Mandapams in and around Mamallapuram. Mythological scenes are depicted on these architectures. These caves have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

Following three are important Mandapams:

1) Krishna Mandapam - This is the biggest among the Mandapams and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The sculptures inside this Mandapam beautifully picturize the myth of Lord Krishna during his brave and energetic adulthood.

2) Mahishasuramardhini Mandapam - The battle between goddess Durga and the buffalo headed demon, Mahishasura is beautifully inscribed.

3) Varaha Mandapam - the side walls have large sculptured panels depicting Vishnu as Varaha, the boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess.

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At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

An interesting aspect of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled - each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.

The Pancha Rathas shrines were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite.

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At a distance of 2 km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, the golden sandy Mamallapuram Beach is a serene beach situated near the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is identified as the one of the most pristine beaches in Tamilnadu, and among the must-visit places during your Mahabalipuram tour.

Lies on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, the Mahabalipuram Beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills. The beach stretches for about 20 km and comprises some rock-cut sculptures which are pleasing to the eyes. It is a perfect place to relax and give yourself a break from the hustle-bustle of city life. This is one of the famous Mahabalipuram places to visit for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts as well.

This charming beach is one of the perfect places .....

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At a distance of 0.5 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station (on Mada Koil Street), Krishna's Butter Ball is a huge boulder near the Ganesha Ratha. It rests precariously on a narrow rock base. Legend has it that several Pallava Kings attempted to move it, but all the kings and their elephants could not shift the boulder even by an inch.

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At a distance of 500 m from Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, the Mamallapuram Lighthouse is perched majestically along the coastline of Mahabalipuram. It is one of the must visit places as part of the Mahabalipuram heritage tour.

Erected in the 19th century, the Mamallapuram Lighthouse serves as a testament to the Tamil Nadu's maritime history. This lighthouse features a circular masonry tower constructed from natural stone and has been operational since 1904. It opened to the public in 2011, having been closed in 2001 due to concerns regarding security from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The lighthouse's circular masonry tower, built from natural stones, offers visitors breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal from its observation deck, making it an ideal location for photography enthusiasts and nature admirers. The vicinity is adorned with ancient rock carvings and temples, highlighting the region's rich .....

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At a distance of 300 m from Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, the Varaha Cave Temple, or Varaha Mandapa is a rock-cut cave temple located at Mamallapuram, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the must visit places as part of Mahabalipuram packages.

The Varaha Cave Temple, also known as the Adivaraha Cave, stands as an exceptional representation of rock-cut architecture from the Pallava era, dedicated to Varaha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Located in a hilltop village near the Bay of Bengal, it is surrounded by other notable rock-cut monuments and temples that date back to the 7th and 8th centuries CE. This temple is part of the 32 Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, which have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1984.

Carved from a single rock, the Varaha Cave Temple exemplifies Indian stone-cut architectural design from the late seventh century. .....

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At a distance of 200 m from Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, the Krishna Mandapam is a rock-cut cave temple situated in Mahabalipuram. It is one of the must visit places as part of Mahabalipuram honeymoon packages.

The Krishna Mandapam, commonly referred to as the Krishna Cave Temple, is a significant rock-cut temple situated in Mahabalipuram. It is positioned on a hillock adjacent to the open rock relief known as the Descent of the Ganges. This cave temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and exemplifies the architectural excellence of the Pallava dynasty from the 7th century. It is included in the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

The Krishna Cave Temple is an east-facing pillared mandapa. Originally, it consisted of an open-air bas-relief dedicated to Krishna, dating back to the mid-seventh century, which was later enclosed within a mandapa during .....

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At a distance of 600 m from Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, the Mahishasura Mardini Mandapam, or Mahishasura Mardini Cave is a rock-cut cave temple situated in Mahabalipuram. It is one of the most prominent tourist places in Mahabalipuram.

Mahishasura Mardini Mandapa, also referred to as Yampuri, exemplifies the Indian rock-cut architecture from the Pallava dynasty. This cave dates back to the reign of King Narasimhavarman Mamalla (630-668 AD), after whom the town is named. It is situated on a hill near the Mamallapuram Lighthouse and is part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1984. Similar to many structures in Mamallapuram, the Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa remains unfinished.

The cave showcases a transitional architectural style, characterized by columns supported by seated lions and frescoes adorning the interior walls, which developed during the .....

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At a distance of 400 m from Mahabalipuram Bus Stand, the Trimurti Cave Temple is a 7th century ancient rock-cut temple situated in Mahabalipuram. Located towards the north of Ganesha Ratha, it is one of the most prominent places to visit as part of Mahabalipuram packages from Chennai.

Situated atop a 100-foot high cliff, the Trimurti Cave Temple stands as a remarkable example of rock-cut architecture in Mahabalipuram. This temple is a testament to the ingenuity of Pallava craftsmanship, having been meticulously carved into the natural rock face. It is one among the very few which can put under the category of the most complete excavations. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it holds considerable historical and architectural significance.

The temple comprises three distinct shrines, each dedicated to the Hindu deities of the trinity: Shiva, Brahma, .....

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