Mahabalipuram also Mamallapuram is a tourist destination in Tamilnadu located about 60km from Chennai in the Bay of Bengal coast. This famous tourist’s destination known for its intricately stone carved historical monuments is part of the Golden Tourism Triangle on the shore of Coromandel Coast along Chennai and Kanchipuram.
Mahabalipuram was a well-established sea port was during the rule of the Pallava dynasty. This city was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. It is during the rule of Pallavas that new style of art and architecture was started. The place is named after the demon king Mahabali who was killed by Lord Vishnu. Later the name Mahabalipuram was changed to ‘Mamallapuram’ named after the King Narasimhavarman I of the Pallava dynasty who was referred to as ‘Mamalla’ or ‘Maha-Malla’ which means the great wrestler. Mahabalipuram has unique and beautiful sculptures, paintings, temples made out of a single rock and artistic bas-reliefs which stand testimony to the talent and skill of artisans of the bygone era. This tourist destination has been listed amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic mementos which includes rock cut caves, temples and monolithic rathas ornately carved out of single colossal boulders. This place is today referred to as Open Air Museum.
Top Tourist Places to Visit Near Mamallapuram (Tamilnadu)
Historical edifices and the natural beauty of Mahabalipuram attract thousands of tourists. The visitors to this place will be startled by the sheer grandeur of this place. The casuarinas trees and the silvery sandy beaches add to the beauty of this place.
Arjuna's Penance
This is believed to be the largest open-air bas-relief in the world carved out of a monolithic rock. This open air bas-relief is 96 feet long and 43 feet tall. The carving has figures of Gods, semi divine creatures, beasts, birds and animals like elephants, monkeys and a cat performing penance standing on one leg. This relief is named after Arjuna, the hero of Mahabharata. This gigantic bas relief can be interpreted in two ways. Some say the that it is Arjuna who is standing in one leg and performing rigours penance to please lord Shiva in order to receive Shiva’s most powerful weapon to win the battle of Mahabharata. The other notion states the story of King Bhagiratha who had undertaken austerities to appease the heavenly river Ganges in order to bring her down to earth.
The Shore Temple
The Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is one of the oldest temples that can be found in South India that is built in the Dravidian style during the Pallava Dominion. This is five storied pyramid style temple and is a combination of three shrines, two of them being dedicated to Lord Shiva while the third devoted to Lord Vishnu. This 60 feet tall temple standing over a 50 feet square platform is known for its artistic carvings. This architectural masterpiece is a visual delight.
Five Ratha's
The Five Rathas, also known as Pancha Rathas has been classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The five rathas are called the Draupadi Ratha, Dharamraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha and Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha, named after the five Pandavas and their wife of Mahabharata. The largest is the multi-storeyed Dharmaraja Ratha and Draupadi Ratha is the smallest among all these cave temples. It is shaped like a hut and is dedicated to the goddess Durga. Arjuna’s Rath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Dharmaraja Yudhisthira ratha is devoted to Lord Shiva and Nakul and Sahadeva Rath is dedicated to Lord Indra and has carvings of elephants. Lion carvings can be seen on the pillars of Bhima ratha temple. The structure of these five chariots is not complete.
Varaha Cave Temple
This is a small rock-cut mandapam dating back to the 7th century is designated amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Varaha cave temple has large sculptured panels with two incarnations of Vishnu one as Varaha (boar) and another as Vamana (dwarf). Here Vishnu in his Varaha incarnation is shown holding up the earth on his front tusks. This small monolithic rock-cut temple has a front Mandapam and pillars that have carved lions.
Tiger Caves
This rock-cut shrine possibly dating from 7th century is located near the coastal village of Salurankuppam that is only 5 kilometres to the north of Mahabalipuram. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The shrine got its name from the sequence of heads of an animal resembling tiger carved around the entrance. The carvings on the walls of the temple depict the story and miracles performed by Goddess Durga. The rock cut cave temple was designed as an open-air theatre. This place was used to conduct various different cultural programs of Mahabalipuram during the Pallava era. Today this place is a favourite picnic spot among the locals as well as tourists because of its natural beauty and the proximity of the Mahabalipuram Beach.
Ganesh Ratha Temple
This beautifully carved rock temple built by the Pallavas resembles a chariot. Ganesh Ratha Temple is positioned to the north of Arjuna’s Penance. Formerly this temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva and a Shiva Lingam was present here but later, the Shiva Lingam was replaced by an idol of Lord Ganesh and the temple was dedicated to lord Ganesh. This temple is the only construction that is complete.
Trimurti Cave Temple
This is an archaic rock-cut sanctuary located to the north - east of Arjuna’s penance. This rock cut temple has three cells which are dedicated to the Hindu Trinity -Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Close to the Trimurti Cave Temple a rock-cut zoo has been constructed where sculptures of elephant, a calf, a monkey and a peacock are inscribed.
Mahishamardini Cave
This monolithic cave is located in the Chingleput District of Mahabalipuram and is dedicated to the Goddess Mahishamardini who killed the demon king Mahishasur. The carvings of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and their son Lord Murugan can be seen in central sanctum of the temple. Apart from this there are other two sculptures on the walls of the cave which depict the Pallava form of architecture. Here one sculpture depicts the goddess killing the demon Mahishasura while the other shows Lord Vishnu in reclining position on the serpent.
Krishna Mandapam
This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has the carvings depicting the life of lord Krishna. The carvings show lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Mountain with his single little finger to protect the people and their cattle from the heavy downpour of rain imparted upon them by enraged Lord Indra. Apart from this there are many other beautiful sculptures like a shepherd milking a cow, a farmer carrying his child on his shoulder, a shepherdess carrying a pot of curd on her head and another carrying a mat on her head and a tier of arranged pots in one hand.
Krishna’s Butter Ball
This is a giant natural rock perched precariously atop a hill slope. This circular shaped rock is suspended at an angle of 45 degrees and it is said that the Pallava tried to move this rock with the help of elephants but the rock did not move.
Mamallpuram beach
Fringed with green and lush casuarinas groves this splendid beach attracts many tourists who can enjoy popular beach activities like sunbathing, diving, wind surfing and motor boating. This place is also ideal for watching the mesmerising view of sunrise and sunset.
Replica of Arjuna’s Penance
This is situated to the south of Krishna Mandapam. This was possibly an attempt to create a replica of Arjuna’s penance. Though incomplete this place shows the dedication of the sculptors of the by gone era.
Ramanuja Mandapam
This well finished Mandapam is located on the way to the light house. This mandapam has there chambers in it.
Crocodile Bank
Established by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in 1976 the Crocodile Bank is located 14 kilometres from Mahabalipuram. This is perhaps the largest crocodile breeding site in India. Crocodiles, alligators and snakes are sheltered, reared and bred here. The Crocodile Conservation Centre and snake farm are the main attraction here.
Apart from these amazing places the annual Open Air Dance Festival in Mahabalipuram which is organised by the Department of Tourism is also very famous. This festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance for duration of four weeks and various dance forms are showcased here including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Kathakali and Odissi.
How to reach Mahabalipuram
The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai which is located around 60 km away. The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu which is around 29 km away from Mahabalipuram. This place is also well connected by extensive network of roads with the cities in Tamilnadu as well as the neighbouring states. Tamil Nadu State Transport Buses operates several buses to Mahabalipuram Chennai, Tirukkalikundram (Pakshithirtham), Kanchipuram, Pondicherry etc.
Accommodation
Several types of accommodation options from high end luxury hotels to economy hotels are available in Mahabalipuram. Several beach resort options are also available here.