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Mahabalipuram Travel Guide
Exploring the Temple Town of Mahabalipuram: A Travel Guide to the Ancient City of Tamil Nadu, India
Mahabalipuram is a town in the Tamil Nadu state of India, located about 50 kilometers south of Chennai. The town is known for its temple architecture and ancient rock-cut temples, and it is a popular destination for travelers who are interested in history and culture. Mahabalipuram was an important port city during the reign of the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries, and it is home to a number of historical landmarks and cultural attractions.
One of the main attractions in Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple, a beautiful temple complex located on the beach. The temple is known for its grand architecture and intricate details, and it is a popular spot for tourists to visit and learn about the city's history and culture. Other popular attractions in Mahabalipuram include the Five Rathas, a group of ancient rock-cut temples; the Arjuna's Penance, a massive bas-relief sculpture that depicts the Hindu god Shiva; and the Crocodile Bank, a conservation center that is home to a number of species of crocodiles and alligators.
In addition to these cultural and historical attractions, Mahabalipuram is also known for its food, with a number of local dishes that are popular with tourists and locals alike. Some of the most famous dishes from Mahabalipuram include dosa, a type of thin, crisp crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter; idli, a type of steamed rice cake; and sambar, a spicy lentil-based stew.
Mahabalipuram can be easily reached by road or by train, with regular buses and trains running from major cities in Tamil Nadu. The town has a number of hotels, ranging from budget to luxury, making it a convenient and comfortable destination for travelers.
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Mahabalipuram.
Shore Temple
Built during the 7th century, Shore Temple is one of the oldest South Indian temples built in the Dravidian style and reflects the royal taste of the Pallava dynasty. The temple work has been listed by UNESCO in the World Heritage Sites. It is located in Mahabalipuram, Shore Temple comprises of three shrines, with the heads dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Arjuna's Penance
Also known as the lineage of Ganga, it is one of the majestic monuments of Mahabalipuram. The megalith was carved on two adjacent boulders. The grand structure is 43 feet high and 96 feet wide and thus its mesmerizing beauty cannot be fully felt without seeing it with one's own eyes. Arjuna's penance is an important part of the Mahabharata while the descent of the Ganges tells the story of Bhagirathi's penance. Each part of this megalith tells its own story.
Five Rathas
Mahabalipuram, the temple city of India on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. This historic city is located about 60 km south of Chennai. The structures are called Rathas because of their distinctive architecture and shape. The word 'Rath' means 'chariot'. These temples are named after the presiding deities and their images in the temples. Mahabalipuram is considered one of the archaeological wonders of India. Ancient carvings and sculptures provide a wonderful experience of the glorious past of India. These centuries-old architecture continues to influence the present day Indian art and sculpture. 'Ratha' temples are cave temples made of rocks. The chariots are considered as the five chariots of the Pandavas, the main characters of the Mahabharata. The stone chariots tell us stories of the bygone days of Mahabalipuram. Rock-cut temples with special sculptures make the temples more attractive to tourists and archaeologists alike.
Ganesha Ratha Temple
Ganesh Ratha is one of the ancient architecture in Mahabalipuram. The most attractive features of the chariot are the architecture and stonework. The shore temples, chariot temples and other temples of the place make this city the temple city of India. The 'Ganesh Ratha' of Mahabalipuram is one of the major attractions of Mahabalipuram. A monolithic stone structure in the shape of chariots makes up the Rath Temple. The stone architecture of the Gupta Empire is clearly evident. The richness of stone sculpture attracts tourists to explore the richness of the bygone days.
Mahabalipuram Beach
Locally known as Mamallapuram, The historic city of Mahabalipuram has carved a niche for itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is one of the biggest attractions for tourists in Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram beach is one of the famous beaches that is blessed with breathtaking beauty and jaw-dropping landscape.
India Seashell Museum
The newly constructed Sea Shell Museum at Mahabalipuram is one of its kind in the country and the largest museum in Asia. It is basically a storehouse of different types of sea shell kept for the purpose of educating its visitors. The museum has more than 40,000 types of exhibits. The architecture of the museum gives the illusion of the sea and its life. It also has a shopping area known as Maya Bazaar where one can get various things related to marine life. The India Seashell Museum is the largest museum in itself and one of the unique places to visit in Mahabalipuram.
Krishna Cave Temple
One of the cave temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in Mahabalipuram, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Krishna Mandapam. The newly constructed Sea Shell Museum at Mahabalipuram is one of its kind in the country and the largest museum in Asia. It is basically a storehouse of different types of sea shell kept for the purpose of educating its visitors. The cave temple is an open-air relief dedicated to the power of Lord Krishna. It was later enclosed within a pavilion during the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century. Various carvings in the monument depict the story of the Lord lifting the Govardhan mountain and his scuffle with the milk maids.
Krishna's Butterball
Krishna's Butterball is a huge granite boulder that is 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighs over 250 tons. This strange object in the city of Mahabalipuram is said to have been in the same condition since 1200 years. At one point in its history, seven elephants were employed to move it, but to no avail. It is believed that the rock is a piece of stolen butter dropped by the god. This massive boulder, known as Krishna's Butterball, seems to refuse to succumb to gravity, with no one quite sure why. This place is a perfect place to spend some quality time with family and kids. Tourists love to take pictures while posing at different angles around the rock.
Crocodile Bank
The Crocodile Bank was founded in 1976 by veterinarian Romulus Whitaker. It has Indian and African crocodiles and many different species of crocodiles. They are kept in open pools that resemble their natural habitat. This crocodile conservation center is the most popular place to visit in Crocodile Bank. A snake farm is also located at this place. This is where anti-venom is produced. The process of extracting snake venom is a popular tourist attraction, and it allows the snake-catching tribe the Irulas to make a living.
Covelong Beach
Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal near the village of Kovalong, Kovalam Beach was given the name 'Kovalong' by the British due to the inability to pronounce "Kovalam". A perfect retreat amidst palm groves and silver sands, Covelong Beach was once established by Saadat Ali as a port for the Carnatic Nawabs. The beach offers a plethora of water activities to its visitors. Going to the beach and entering the mode of relaxation is another thing that you can opt for. The peace it provides during sunset is incomparable.
Mahishasuramardini Cave
Mahishasur Mardini Cave Temple, also known as Yampuri, is a rock-cut monument of Indian architecture, dating back to the 7th century. The two major carvings depicted in the temple are the carving of Vishnu on the seven-headed serpent killing the demon Mahishasura in the sanctum sanctorum and another of Lord Durga on his lion. The cave also depicts scenes from the Puranas, the Hishasuramardini cave temple is noted for its reliefs which are meticulously carved into the walls. One of these depicts Lord Vishnu sleeping on top of the coil of Adish, the king of serpents, while another relief depicts Goddess Durga fighting the demon Mahishasura on her lion. Apart from these two bas-reliefs, the temple in the center of the temple houses an idol of Lord Murugan, seated between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Alamparai Fort
Not many people know about the existence of Alamparai Fort in Mahabalipuram, as it is not as famous as other places to see in Mahabalipuram. Although this captivating fort is a very important historical site of this city. It is essentially a long forgotten trading post with a striking and rather eye-catching architecture, and the views from the top are sure to take your breath away! Although it is no longer in perfect condition, walking across this dilapidated but charming fort will make you feel like stepping back in time. Due to the numerous shrubs, vines, shrubs and trees, it is a remarkable example of ancient architecture that has let nature take over.
Mamallapuram Lighthouse
Mamallapuram Lighthouse is a famous tourist attraction in Mahabalipuram. It is a modern masonry tower which was constructed in Tamil Nadu with the structure built by the Pallava dynasty. It was commissioned because Mamallapuram served as one of the busiest ports in South India. Today this light house is a monument of interest and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Tiger Caves
Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Tigers Caves has been a recreation spot for ages, where locals rest after their five-kilometer trek from Mahabalipuram to this idyllic spot outside the city. The name of the caves has nothing to do with the presence of a real tiger. The caves got their name from the crowns of the heads of 11 tigers, all carved around the entrance. It is believed that these paintings resemble an animal called 'Yeli' which is a cross between a lion and a tiger. One of the most attractive features of the caves is the carving of Goddess Durga on top of these tigers. If you love to discover new facts and figures about the history of different places in a scenic beauty away from the busy life of the city, then this is a wonderful place to visit.
Varaha Cave Temple
Varaha Cave Temple is an exquisite rock cut Hindu temple located in Mahabalipuram. Built during the reign of Narasimhavarman I Mahamalla, it is one of the greatest examples of Pallava art. The temple dates back to the 7th century and bears testimony to the ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis. Which has been beautifully carved out of ancient South Indian architecture. It is built on a huge piece of granite and has some of the finest sculptures, including an idol of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha form, a boar lifting Mother Earth.
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