Tourist Places in Mahabalipuram

Beach Temples
The most renowned tourist attractions of the town of Mahabalipuram are its beautiful beach temples. The five rathas (chariots) are architectural precursors of the temples of south Indian. The smallest and the simplest is the Draupadi ratha and the largest is the multi-storeyed Dharmaraja ratha scopped from a monolithic rock. These small unfinished shrines ravaged by war and weather are things of undiminished beauty. The Kailasanatha temple, Sri Varadaraja temple, Sri Vaikuntaperumal temple, etc are all amamzing instances of patience, skill and labour.

Varaha Cave
The Varaha Cave is a small rock-cut mandapam (hall), that is a faceted and finished gem with four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers.

Arjuna’s Penance
Arjuna Penance,Mahabalipuram travel Arjuna’s Penance, perhaps the world’s largest bas-relief, is an incredible work of art. According to the legend, King Bhagiratha had to bring down to earth the celestial Ganga to purify and redeem the cursed souls of his ancestors. But the torrential river would flood the earth, and so he had to undergo a penance to propitiate Shiva who finally received the flood in his matted locks and let it trickle down. The world’s creatures gathered around to watch. The cleft in the rock depicts the descent of Ganga, a theory supported by the ruins of a stone water tank on the hill.

Mahishamardini Cave
The Somaskanda sculpture in the Mahishamardini Cave radiates peace, power and wisdom while Lord Vishnu in omniscient repose is a masterpiece of dhwani (the art of suggestion) perfected by the Pallava sculptor. Feeble sunlight glimmers on panels of classical beauty.

Shore Temple
However, it is the Shore Temple that evokes the spell of Mahabalipuram. A three-in-one abode of god-a Vishnu temple sandwiched between two Shiva temples-it is a visual delight, its precincts abounding in architectural masterpieces.

Sculpture Museum
The Sculpture Museum in East Raja Street contains more than 3,000 sculptures by the local artisans, made in wood, metal, brass, and cement.

Rathas
A group of structures lying at the southern extreme of Mahabalipuram, amidst casuarina trees, are the famous Rathas (chariots). The Pancha Pandava Rathas, as they are called, are five in number. Out of these, four are carved out of a single rock, while the fifth on the west is scooped out from a small rock. The square Draupadi and Arjuna Rathas, the linear Bhima Ratha, the taller Dharamraja Ratha and the apsidal Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha, constitute the complex.

How To Reach Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist destination with a harmonious blending of history and clean beaches.

By Air:
Chennai is the nearest airport, 58 km away and has an international and domestic terminal. Chennai is connected with all the major cities in India through direct flights.

By Rail:
The nearest railway stations are Chenglapattu, 29 km away and Chennai, 58 km away which has a good rail network connecting all major rail junctions in India.

By Road:
Mahabalipuram is connected by road to Chennai, Chegalapattu, Pondicherry, Kanchipuram and other important cities in Tamil Nadu.You can even hire a taxi to Mahabalipuram from Chennai.

Photo Gallery | Hotels |  View Map