Mahabalipuram is a small town in tamilnadu which has become one of the top tourist destination in recent years. It is also known as Mamallapuram best known for the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. The temples of mahabalipuram,portrays events described in MAHABHARATA, were largely built during the reign of king NARASIMHAVARAM of pallava dynasty in 7th & 8th centuries.The temples are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and pallava art. It is one of the oldest cities in india and better known for its cave sanctuaries, great monuments and sculptures.It is also famous for its vast beaches, monoliths, stone carvings and temples.
I started my journey to mahabalipuram from pondicherry. It is approximately a 95 kms journey and almost took 2 hours to reach. There are plenty of buses running every 15 minutes between both the places. You need to take bus heading to CHENNAI via ECR [ east coast road] and need to get of at mahabalipuram bypass and from there you can take auto to go inside town. It is 1-2 kms or 5mins drive in auto.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Winter months from November to february are considered best to visit mahabalipuram. Summers are extremely hot and not recommended at all.Monsoon brings fresh look to this place and can be ventured out.
ENTRY FEE AND TIMINGS
Indians - 30 rps
Foreigners - 500 rps
Photography - free
Videography -25 rps
Time - 6am to 6 pm [ all days of week]
MUST VISIT PLACES IN MAHABALIPURAM :
PANCHA RATHAS
They are also reffered as PANDAVA RATHAS. The five structures are each in shape of rathas or chariots and have an indian rock cut architecture.
There is one structure each for the five pandava brothers, significant characters of indian epic mahabharata. Each monolithic structure showcases intricate carving and fine art.
ARJUN'S PENANCE
It is an enormous rock cut relief, one of the largest in the whole world. It is also known as " DESCENT OF GANGES". It is approximately 30m long and 15m high.
It shows a story from mahabharata of how Arujuna performed severe austerities in order to obtain shivas weapon.
KRISHNA MANDAPAM
A stunning beautiful bas-relief showing krishna lifting the GOVARDHANA mountain in order to protect the cows and the cowherds from the wrth of indra is the highlight of this cave. It is one of thr lagest cave cut hindu temple in mahabalipuram.
KRISHNA'S BUTTER BALL
It is a giant balancing rock perched on a 45degree smooth hill slope for over more than 1200 years..its weights around 250 tons and seems floating and barely stands on the top of the slope.
VARAHA CAVE TEMPLE
It is the one of the greatest examples of pallava art . It is a fine specimen of ancient indian rock cut cave archietecture.
It is dedicated to lord vishnu.
SHORE TEMPLE
The shore temple is the icon of ancient monuments of mahabalipuram.The temple gets its name from its location on shore overseeing the bay of bengal.
The temple has two shrines devoted to lord vishnu and lord shiva.
LIGHT HOUSE
Climbing on the stones and atop the lighthouse can be a real treat. From the top of it the view is surreal and magnificient.
RAYA GOPURAM
It is the only pillar that is half constructed in the premises of Meenakshi temple. It stands on the west direction of shrine. Though it is half built gopuram, it carries beautiful carvings done on it. The look of the temple becomes appealing due to its unique construction.
MAHABALIPURAM BEACH
The pristine beaches in mahabalipuram are immaculately clean and offer a peaceful and serene ambiance.It is a perfect place to relax and unwind yourself.
FILTER KAAPI
The filter coffee is a inseparable part of south india. And your trip is incomplete without having it. A good coffee gives you a head start and there is no better way to start your day .
THINGS TO NOTE
You can use same ticket for visiting all the monuments.
For each of the sites there is different parking site and you have to pay for each separately.
Mahabalipuram is 60 kms from Chennai and 95 kms from Pondicherry.
A day is enough to visit this city and see all the monuments.
Each and every monuments are located at walkable distance and you can even hire bicycle or motorbike.
Do not forget to watch sunset from the shore temple overviewing the beach.
Do try thali meals at hotel MAMALLA BHAVAN. It is one of the oldest in city and famous for its vegetarian meals.
A coffee vendor next to this hotel serves amazing filter coffee in copper vessel , must try for all coffee lovers.
Wear loose and confortable clothes and also appropriate to temple aswell.
