Mahabalipuram

Just 45 minutes out of the city, the East Coast Road first stops at the historic town of Mahabalipuram. The 7th century erstwhile port city is famous for its rock-cut shore temples. A lone lighthouse on a hill watches over a group of temples below. Mahabalipuram also has some great cafes that serve good sea food. A backpacker’s delight, one can find cheap accommodations and plenty of activities.

Architecture 6 top day trips from Chennai for steamy southern adventures Jan 26, 2022 •7 Min read Fascinating, foodie Chennai is the gateway to India's steamy south. From ancient temples to burgeoning surf hubs, here are 6 great day trips from Chennai. Guidebooks Purchase our award-winning guidebooks Get to the heart of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance. Shop Our Guidebooks

At a distance of 57 km from Chennai, 65 km from Kanchipuram, 96 km from Pondicherry, 420 km from Madurai, and 290 km from Trichy, Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram) is situated in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the major Mahabalipuram is known for its historical monuments, sculptures, scenic beauty, culture, and tradition. Built-in 7th century CE, shore temples are the prominent attractions that can be visited as part of This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the second capital of the Pallava kings of One of the prominent festivals celebrated here is the Mamallapuram Dance Festival, which is organized by the Department of Tourism every year during December - January. As part of the festival, various dance forms are showcased including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi. The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is in Chennai, located about 50 km away. The nearest railhead is in Chengalpattu, close to 30 km from Mahabalipuram. It has trains from Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Kanchi, Tirupati, Ernakulum, Villupuram, The best time to visit Mahabalipuram is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February. Usually it takes one full day to visit 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 Shore Temple was built in the 7tcentury CE by Pal...