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Wonderful Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram

Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a historic town located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its ancient rock-cut temples, sculptures, and monuments dating back to the 7th century. The Shore Temple, an iconic structure situated on the Bay of Bengal, is one of the most famous attractions in Mahabalipuram. Another popular site is the Five Rathas, a collection of monolithic temples that resemble chariots dedicated to five Pandava brothers from epic Mahabharata

 The historic town located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a historic town located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. It was a major port for trade between ancient Greece and Egypt and later during the 1st millennium CE. The city's unique architecture includes rock-cut architecture carved into cliffsides by Buddhist monks and Hindu devotees over many centuries. One of the most famous examples is the Shore Temple built by King Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014) who ruled from 985 to 1014 CE.

Mahabalipuram has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 due to its historical significance and cultural values which include great archaeological sites like Kailasanatha Temple built in honor of Shiva & Parvati while still maintaining religious harmony between Hindus & Buddhists alike!

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its ancient rock-cut temples

Mahabalipuram is a sleepy fishing village in Tamil Nadu, India. It's renowned for its ancient rock-cut temples, sculptures and monuments dating back to the 7th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to one of the most popular beaches on earth: Thiruvalluvar Koil (also referred to as "Purambokkottai").

When you visit Mahabalipuram you'll see how much love people have put into preserving these ancient ruins. The rocks were carved by hand using chisels made from imported stone at first but now they're mostly done by machine tools instead because it takes less time that way!

The Shore Temple, an iconic structure situated on the Bay of Bengal

The Shore Temple, an iconic structure situated on the Bay of Bengal, is one of the most famous attractions in Mahabalipuram.

It was built by a king named Pandya who ruled over this region in the 17th century. The temple has been restored and renovated several times since then.

There are many theories about how this structure came to be built here but it’s believed that it was built by a king named Pandya who ruled over this region in 1657 CE (Common Era). He wanted to build a temple for Lord Shiva so he asked his minister Bhimasena Maharaja to make arrangements for him

Another popular site is the Five Rathas

Another popular site is the Five Rathas, a collection of monolithic temples that resemble chariots, dedicated to the five Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata. The first ratha has been dated to between 700 and 800 AD and was carved out of granite on an artificial hillock by Tamil sculptors who lived in India at that time. They are named after their locations: Khandala (Horse), Kopaal (Cow), Shirdi (Dog), Kalyanpur (Monkey) and Dharmapuri (Elephant).

The second ratha represents Lord Krishna with his wife Rukmini sitting on one side while Balarama stands beside them with his brother Nanda Baba seated opposite him on his right hand side; on their left are Vasudeva Krishna's son Pradyumna as well as Yashoda-mata with her daughter Namita playing beside her.

The Arjuna's Penance

The Arjuna's Penance, a massive bas-relief carved into a granite boulder, is another notable landmark in Mahabalipuram. This carving depicts the story of Arjuna and his brothers who were sent by their father Indra to fetch water from the river Ganges. While they were going with their horses, they were attacked by an elephant sent by Ravana’s son Indrajit. The story has been painted on the rock face using red ochre paint which gives it an exquisite appearance.

This famous bas relief was discovered by British archaeologist James Burgess in 1829 when he was searching for artifacts left behind by Indian traders during their travels through South India centuries ago. It is believed that this piece was created around 500 BC and represents one of India's earliest surviving examples of Buddhist art (now housed at New Delhi Museum).

The Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple

The Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, is a rock-cut temple that features stunning carvings and sculptures.

This site was originally built in the 6th century AD by Emperor Asoka of India. It was later restored by King Rajaraja Chola I during his time in power from 1012–1066 AD. The cave contains many important religious items such as stone elephants made from granite blocks with images of Balinese Prambanan temples carved on them (which are now located at Prambanan). Also inside there are statues of Lord Ganesha and other deities such as Shiva or Ganapati Krishna Vishnu And Brahma

The Pancha Pandava Mandapa

The Pancha Pandava Mandapa, a group of five shrines, is another significant structure that showcases the ancient art and architecture of Mahabalipuram. The five temples were built in different periods to celebrate the five Pandavas: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna and Nakula. Each temple has its own unique features like sculptures or paintings on stone walls with intricate designs and intricate carvings on decorative pillars.

The most remarkable feature is the roofing design which resembles a lotus flower with its petals spread out like fans all over the building!

The Krishna Mandapam

The Krishna Mandapam, a rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, is another stunning structure adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II in 730 AD. It has been described as “one of the greatest architectural achievements of ancient India” by UNESCO.

The mandapam is situated on top of a hillock and commands an impressive view of Mahabalipuram town and its surroundings.

The Mahabalipuram lighthouse

The Mahabalipuram lighthouse, located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Bay of Bengal, offers stunning views of the coastline. It was built in 1864 and is open to visitors throughout the year.

You can climb up to the top for panoramic views over water and coastline stretching all the way to Chennai (Madras). The lighthouse also has some interesting exhibits about its history as well as one room dedicated to natural history featuring stuffed animals from around India.

Mahabalipuram is also known for its beautiful beaches

Mahabalipuram is also known for its beautiful beaches, including Mahabalipuram Beach, Covelong Beach, and Serenity Beach.

The Covelong beach has a long stretch of sand that runs parallel to the sea. It is one of the best places to have a picnic or simply relax with friends and family on vacation. The beach has plenty of facilities for visitors such as restaurants and hotels near by so you do not have to drive too far away from your hotel or hostel if you want delicious food or comfortable accommodations during your stay here!

The Crocodile Bank

The Crocodile Bank, located just a few kilometers from Mahabalipuram, is a popular conservation center dedicated to the protection of crocodiles and other reptiles.

The park has been designed as an integrated system that enables visitors to observe crocs in their natural environment while being protected from harm by trained staff members. The site also offers educational programs on animal ecology and conservation strategies.

The Tiger Cave, located a short distance from Mahabalipuram

The Tiger Cave, located a short distance from Mahabalipuram, is a rock-cut temple that features intricate carvings and a small waterfall. The cave was built by Chola king Rajaraja Chola in the 10th century AD to house the sacred images of Nageshwara and Parvati (the mother goddess).

The inside is decorated with reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology including Indra riding on Airavata or Garuda carrying Mount Mandara and Vishnu reclining on an eagle. There are also depictions of Shiva as Nataraja (the lord of dance), Ganesh being carried by elephants, Ganesha holding his trident and holding up Mount Kailash. The ceiling depicts scenes from Mahabharata such as Bhishma fighting Karna while Arjuna fights Yudhishthira

The Mahabalipuram Dance Festival

The Mahabalipuram Dance Festival, held annually in December, is a vibrant celebration of classical dance and music that attracts performers and audiences from all over India.

The festival stages performances by artists from various parts of South India who have won national awards for their artistry.

The Dakshinachitra

The Dakshinachitra, located about 25 kilometers from Mahabalipuram, is a cultural museum that showcases the traditional arts, crafts, and lifestyles of South India.

The museum is divided into three parts: Bhagavan Sri Venkateshwara Temple; Govindaraja Temple and Muthukrishna Swami Temple; and Gopuram (gateway).

The Kanchipuram Silk Saree Weaving Center

The Kanchipuram Silk Saree Weaving Center, located about 60 kilometers from Mahabalipuram, is a must-visit destination for those interested in traditional Indian textiles and weaving techniques. It’s an outdoor museum that offers an insight into the history of silk saris and the skills required to weave them. Visitors can watch demonstrations of some of these processes on site, including hand painting designs onto silk threads before weaving them into cloth.

In addition to learning about India's rich textile traditions firsthand, you'll also have access to some great souvenirs: scarves made by local weavers are available at reasonable prices (ranging from INR 200-500) if you want something special from this part of your trip!