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Timeless beauty of Mahabalipuram - where history meets the sea

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, Coastal town in Tamil Nadu, India, is known for it's rich history, cultural significance, and many attractions.

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Rated 4.30/5 ( based on 1855 reviews )

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Quick Information

Best time to visit
Nov - Sep
Ideal Duration
Visa
On Arrival
Starting from
Rs. 3,000
  • Rock-cut architecture
  • Ancient architecture
  • Seashore

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Tourism

Just 45 minutes from the city, the East Coast road stops at Mahabalipuram, a famous historic town. The 7th-century city is known for its rock-cut shore temples and the lone lighthouse that offers a breathtaking view from the hill. Mahabalipuram also has some great cafes that serve good seafood. A backpacker’s delight, one can find cheap accommodations and plenty of activities. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important cultural hub with a unique blend of history, art, and coastal beauty. Mahabalipuram tourism will give you an ancient temple, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage.

History Of Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram has a deep historical connection with the Pallava Dynasty, which ruled the region from the 7th to the 9th centuries. Under the reign of King Narasimhavarman II, also known as Mamalla, the town was considered the major port and cultural centre. The city’s historical prominence is evident through its rich collection of ancient monuments, temples, and rock-cut sculptures. The Pallavas were known for their architectural innovations, and Mahabalipuram tourism is a testament to their legacy.

Mahabalipuram Architecture And Art

Mahabalipuram is an open-air museum with architectural masterpieces that have fascinated historians, architects, and tourists alike. The intricate rock-cut temples and sculptures are among the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. These monuments, carved out of granite, showcase exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The style of architecture found here is unique to the region and has profoundly influenced the construction of South Indian temples. This is one of the essential tourist attractions Mahabalipuram with stunning architects.

Mahabalipuram- Places To Visit And Things To Do

One of the popular costal town in Tamil Nadu along with a treasure trove of ancient temples, sculptures and pristine beaches. One of the must-visit tourist places mahabalipuram include the rock-cut shore temple, five rathas, Arjuna’s penance. Explore the Mahabalipuram beach, engage in water sports, or take a scenic drive to the east coast are some of the stunning things to do. Mahabalipuram Tourism will provide you with opportunities to witness the vibrant local markets, mouthwatering seafood and traditional dance performances. Mahabalipuram is an ideal destination due to its rich history, traditional archeological sites, stunning architecture and soothing atmosphere.

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How to reach Mahabalipuram

Read about the best & quickest routes to save time & money, as suggested by our travelers

By Air

Chennai International Airport is conveniently located just 53 km from Mamallapuram, making it the closest airhead for travellers. You’ll find a variety of flights connecting to major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, with both non-stop and connecting options available. Once you arrive, you can easily hop into a taxi or cab right outside the airport, and they’ll take you to Mamallapuram in no time!

By Train

Mamallapuram is wonderfully accessible via Indian rail networks! The nearest railway station, is just 23 km away, making your journey to this charming town quite easy. Once you arrive, you can hop into a taxi or cab to reach Mamallapuram comfortably. If you prefer a more local experience, local buses are available just a few minutes from the Chengalpattu New Bus Terminal, ready to whisk you away to the lovely town of Mamallapuram.

By Road

You can easily reach the charming town of Mahabalipuram by taking a scenic drive along state and national highways from nearby cities like Chennai, Puducherry, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram. Alternatively, tourists can hop on a bus from those locations to enjoy the journey to Mamallapuram. Nestled along the famous East Coast Road (ECR), Mahabalipuram offers a delightful drive that showcases the stunning natural beauty of South India.

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      Mahabalipuram Packages Reviews

      Read on to find out why our customers love us!

      RP

      Raunak Pinjarkar

      Hyderabad

      Raunak's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Helpful agent and marvelous experience The best part of trip is I change the destination in between the trip ...the agent arranged it in time without ask any questions. Agent give useful tips which make my Trip more wonderful. Overall very good experience.
      B

      Brigu

      Coimbatore

      Brigu's 3 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Next time please prepare day to day visiting places based on package Hotel issue
      A

      Arunsinghpanwar

      Arunsinghpanwar's 3 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Have a great trip with Book My Choices Great experience with cab driver no issues in doing sightseen We use cab till 9PM but no extra night charges Sachin done great work
      HC

      Hussain Cutpiecewala

      Gujarat

      Hussain's 6 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Everything that was promised in package was delivered. However I had headache of co-ordinating with hotel staff and agency at places. 1. I paid 2k extra as part of package for hotel with good view, but normal room was booked. I had to co-ordinate Hotel staff and Anshu to allocate me room that I o
      riginally requested. 2. I requested and paid for Extra mattress as part of package, however at Ooty hotel I was not provided Mattress and I had to co-ordinate Reception, Hotel Owner and Anshu. I received mattress after 2 hours and was very tiring experience after long travel day. Overall trip planning was good. I had to pay for Driver food at many places even though I paid in advance as part of package and Driver Bata was included. There were chain of 5 people (Travel Triangle, Anshu from All India Holiday, Local Travel Agent , Car owner, Driver) in chain and that caused lot of confusions for payment as there was no single point of contact. Trip completed as planned but there were hiccups for sure! Overall very average experience.
      DS

      Datta Shatadru

      Hyderabad

      Datta's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to Sishir for coordinating this seamlessly and Dinesh for recommending awesome food places in Pondicherry
      KD

      Kiran Dewangan

      Hyderabad

      Kiran's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Hotels were nice, meet all our expectations. And travel agent understood our requirements and booked the hotels accordingly. Cab driver was nice and polite, just one problem we faced is the cab ac was not functioning properly, otherwise all the journey was comfortable.
      G

      Gswfacility

      Banglore

      Gswfacility's 8 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      It was good experience with good support. Only Ooty Hotel booking had some confusion with the property..Rest all ok. Amazing trip.
      AP

      Amit Patil

      Mumbai

      Amit's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Dear, I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for organizing our recent trip to Bangalore,Mysore & Ooty! It was an amazing experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Special thanks to Nikita for her exceptional arrangement and support throughout the trip. Her dedication made our
      journey truly unforgettable. Thank you once again for creating such wonderful memories for us. We look forward to our next trip with you! Best regards, Amit Patil Dear, I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for organizing our recent trip to Bangalore,Mysore & Ooty! It was an amazing experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Special thanks to Nikita for her exceptional arrangement and support throughout the trip. Her dedication made our journey truly unforgettable. Thank you once again for creating such wonderful memories for us. We look forward to our next trip with you! Best regards, Amit Patil
      AR

      Abhilash Reddy Sama

      Hyderabad

      Abhilash's 5 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      CAB and Driver is good, driver has planned the places well and covered as per Itinerary. On the way, he has also explained about the places while driving in Mysore and Ooty. Hotel Delightz Inn is ok only (Don't go for it if you're more than 2 Adults). Room is very tight with no chair to sit and p
      lace the luggage, free breakfast is not that level as not much options when compared to others. Roopa elite is recommended hotel, breakfast is superb. After seeing the places and travel, hotels, trip seems bit costly. Time constraint to visit Ooty places Overall, felt that package is bit costly but went smooth from start to end
      P

      Pburji

      Mysore

      Pburji's 3 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      I had worst experience with travel triangle and agent. faced many issue on the trip. Once payment is done then we are on our own only to deal with issues. No one will check after the payment. Rakesh was our travel agent from dream yatra .there is no plan done for our trip. No proper cab arrangemen
      t/ hotel payment issue. missed half of the tour sight seeing. Most importantly Dream yatra do not pick call, they insist us to send whatsapp message only.I also raised all these concerns to traveltriangle in email but there is no response. I am giving rating as 10 since feedback is not getting submitted when i gave rating as 1. No good experience, it was a NIGHTMARE.

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      FAQ's of Mahabalipuram

      Read on to find out why our customers love us!

      What is Mahabalipuram famous for?

      Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, India, famous for its ancient rock-cut temples, sculptures, and beaches. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction.

      Is Mahabalipuram a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

      Yes, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock-cut temples, cave sanctuaries, and giant open-air reliefs. There are many Mahabalipuram tourism places that you can explore during your visit.

      How many days are enough to explore Mahabalipuram?

      You can explore Mahabalipuram in a half day or a few days, depending on what you want to see and do. But the ideal time to explore is 2 days.

      Are there any festivals celebrated in Mahabalipuram?

      Yes, many festivals have been celebrated in Mahabalipuram. Mamallapuram Dance Festival annually is a famous one where you can experience India's classical and folk dances.

      What is the story behind Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram?

      Arjuna's Penance in Mahabalipuram, India, is a rock sculpture that depicts Arjuna's penance from the Mahabharata. The sculpture is also known as the Descent of the Ganges. Arjuna, a Pandava prince, performed penance to receive the Pasupatastra, Shiva's most potent weapon. The weapon would help Arjuna in the Kurukshetra War against his relatives.

      What are some tips for visiting Mahabalipuram for the first time?

      - When visiting the Mahabalipuram for the first time, you must consider the following tips:

      • visiting during the winter months (November to February) for pleasant weather
      • exploring the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas
      • hiring a local guide to understand the history
      • Wear a comfortable footwear
      • Arrive early to avoid crowds
      • Enjoy the local beaches after temple visits
      • be mindful of dress codes when visiting religious sites

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