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Reasons to Visit Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Reasons to Visit

Mahabalipuram is a small town in Tamil Nadu state, India. It's known as Mamallapuram and was once home to several ancient temples and monuments that showcase stunning examples of Dravidian architecture dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD. The Shore Temple is an iconic monument in Mahabalipuram that is renowned for its intricate carvings and beautiful location on the Bay of Bengal. Pancha Rathas are a group of five monolithic rock temples that were carved out of single stones each representing a different style of architecture

UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and cultural significance.

Mahabalipuram is the largest and most important archaeological site in south India with more than 1,000 stone temples dating back to between 300 BC to 600 AD. The monuments at Mahabali Puram include the Shore Temple, Shiva Temple and Vishnu Temple among others which are considered some of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture anywhere in India or abroad.

Architecture

Mahabalipuram is home to several Mahabalipuram Temples and pilgrimage sites and monuments that showcase stunning examples of Dravidian architecture, dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. The town is also known as Mamallapuram, which means “Mamalla” (mother) in Tamil. This name was given because a lot of these structures were built during the rule of Tanjore kings who ruled this area at that time.

The most prominent one here is the Shore Temple complex, which has been described as “the finest blend of architectural styles on earth". It consists of five big rock-cut caves carved out over thousands of years by skilled artisans using only hand tools such as chisels and hammers!

Shore Temple

The Shore Temple is an iconic monument in Mahabalipuram that is renowned for its intricate carvings and beautiful location on the Bay of Bengal. The temple dates back to the 6th century BC, when it was built by King Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura who ruled over a large kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. This structure features many sculptures that depict images of deities and kingship.

The Shore Temple has been damaged several times over the years, but it still stands today as an important part of history and culture in India as well as Asia Pacific region because it provides tourists with an opportunity to interact with local villagers while they explore this ancient monument!

Pancha Rathas

The Pancha Rathas are a group of five monolithic rock temples that were carved out of single stones, each representing a different style of architecture. Each ratha has its own style and characteristics, but they all share certain similarities in their design.

The five Rathas are:

Mahabalipuram Temples (Mahabali)

Mahavihara Temple Complex at Mamallapuram (Mamallapuram)

Rock Fort Temple Complex at Elavur (Elavur)

Vaitheeswaran Temple at Kanchipuram (Kanchipuram)

In addition to these five famous temples there are many other sites worth visiting on your trip to Mahabalipuram such as:

Stone Carvings

Mahabalipuram is also known for its stone carvings, which depict stories from Hindu mythology and showcase the skill of ancient artisans. The town has a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and other deities. These temples were built by Chola kings in the 9th century AD and are among India's best examples of architecture from that period.

The most famous feature at Mahabalipuram is undoubtedly its beach resort or “Queen of Beaches” as it has been called by many travelers over time due to its beautiful shoreline with white sand beaches backed by verdant hills leading up into coconut palms that form an amazing backdrop for picture taking enthusiasts who want to capture images of themselves relaxing on this pristine stretch of coastline!

Beaches

Mahabalipuram has several beautiful beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying water sports like surfing and jet skiing. Some of the popular beaches include:

The Beach at Mahabalipuram (pronounced ma-ha-bi-lo-po-ruh)

Poompuhar Beach (also called Poonthottam Beach)

Agastheeswarar Temple Beach

Local Handicrafts

Mahabalipuram is known for its handicrafts, including stone sculptures, wooden toys, and intricate silk sarees that make great souvenirs. The town is also a major center for sandalwood carving.

The local hand-carved sculpture industry has been thriving since ancient times. Many of the carvings depict scenes from Hindu mythology or legends related to the gods.

For example: One statue depicts Lord Vishnu sleeping on an eagle's back before he enters his Bhagavad Gita (Divine Song), his most famous work which contains instructions on how to live life correctly so that you can achieve liberation from birth and death; another depicts Shiva turning into stone after killing Mahishasura; while another shows Parvati riding a peacock through seven seas towards her husband Shiva who was sleeping under an Ashoka tree at Kailash mountain peak when she found him dead after being pierced by arrows while performing tapasya (meditation).

Religious Significance

Mahabalipuram is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus due to the presence of several ancient temples, including the famous Shore Temple. The Shore Temple was built during the reign of Rajaraja Chola III (1012–29 CE) at Mahabalipuram and is considered one of India's greatest architectural achievements. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and contains stone carvings from all over India that are considered some of its most valuable treasures.

The entire city has been declared as an Archaeological Reserve under Section 4(1)(b) by Government notification dated 15th January 1973, enabling it to preserve its heritage without disturbance from any kind of development activity.

Surfing

Surfing: The town is home to several surf schools and is a popular destination for surfers from around the world.

Mahabalipuram has also been called "the surfing capital of India" due to its popularity as a tourist destination for this sport. In fact, it was here that big wave surfer Andy Irons took his first waves at age 14!

Adventure Sports

Mahabalipuram is a picturesque town with many attractions. It has been mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most beautiful city in India, and you can see why!

Mahabalipuram offers several adventure sports like parasailing, windsurfing, and kayaking.

Culture and History

You may be wondering, “What is there to do in Mahabalipuram?” Well, there are many things to do! Here are some suggestions:

Visit one of the many temples and monuments. There are temples dating back to the 9th century AD. Some of them are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Other sites include monuments built by kings like Raja Raja Chola I (1112–50), who constructed several sculptures on stone pillars at his capital city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram; or Kalinga Warrier Thirumalai Nayak (1629–37), who created a large number of stone murals at Mamallapuram—the largest surviving example from this period in India

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife Sanctuaries: Mahabalipuram is located close to several wildlife sanctuaries, including the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary, which is home to several species of migratory birds.

The Shore Temple: The Shore Temple stands on an island at the western end of Mahabalipuram beach and features intricate carvings in its walls.

Ancient Monuments: The temples and monuments across this stretch have been built around 500 years ago by Pallava kings who ruled over this part of India during those times.

Food

Mahabalipuram is famous for its delicious seafood dishes and traditional South Indian cuisine, including dosas, idlis, and sambar.

The town is home to many restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines from different parts of India. The main street has many shops selling snacks like samosas and tikkis (deep-fried pot stickers), as well as other local delicacies such as coconut curries or idli breads made from rice flour.

If you are looking for something more substantial than just snacks, then it's worth trying out some of the restaurants in this area:

Festivals

Mahabalipuram is home to a number of festivals, including the Mamallapuram Dance Festival. This annual event showcases traditional dance forms from across India, and includes performances by dancers from different regions who come to participate in this community-wide celebration. The festival takes place at the end of April or beginning of May, with more than 20 events scheduled over two days.

Scenic Beauty

Scenic Beauty: The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the Bay of Bengal, the lush green hills of the Eastern Ghats, and the picturesque backwaters of the Palar River.

The town itself has many historical sites that have been preserved for posterity. Some of these include:

Poompuhar Fort: This fort was built by Parthasarathy Nayak in 1535 to protect his capital from invaders from across sea who were trying to take over Kaveri river basin at that time