23 Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram

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Beach (4)
Cave (3)
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1. Shore Temple

1 km from city center

Temple

Shore Temple is one of the oldest South Indian temples built in the Dravidian style, constructed during the 7th century. It reflects the royal architectural taste of the Pallava dynasty.

1 km from city center

Historical Site

Krishna's Butterball is a gigantic granite boulder measuring 6 meters high and 5 meters wide, weighing over 250 tons.

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

1 km from city center

Landmark

The Arjuna's Penance is an enormous rock-cut relief, one of the largest in the whole world, situated in Mahabalipuram of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

4 km from city center

Cave

Tiger Caves is located near the coastal village of Salurankuppam. This mandap contains a shrine dedicated to the goddess Durga.

Mahabalipuram Travel Packages

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7 Nights / 8 Days

Sacred Tamil Nadu Trail – 7 Nights 8 Days from Madurai to Chennai

Madurai(1N) → Rameshwaram(1N) → Trichy(1N) → Kumbakonam(2N)...

₹17,500/person

6 Nights / 7 Days

Magic of Chennai, Mahabalipuram & Madurai

Chennai(1N) → Mahabalipuram(1N) → Thanjevur(1N) → Tiruchira...

₹ 0

0% off

₹19,449/person

9 Nights / 10 Days

Glorious Chennai to Kanyakumari Tour Package

Chennai(1N) → Mahabalipuram(2N) → Pondicherry(2N) → Tanjore...

₹ 0

0% off

₹27,919/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

5-Day Tamil Nadu Tour: Chennai, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram & Beaches

Pondicherry(2N) → Mahabalipuram(1N) → Chennai(1N)

₹19,500/person

7 Nights / 8 Days

Holy Tamil Nadu Tour Package including Mahabalipuram

Chennai (1N) → Mahabalipuram (1N) → Tanjore (1N) → Trichy (...

₹ 0

0% off

₹21,586/person

8 Nights / 9 Days

Mystical Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Madurai Tour Package

Mahabalipuram(2N) → Pondicherry(2N) → Madurai(2N) → Kanyaku...

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₹29,349/person

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5. Mamallapuram Dance Festival

Fairs & Festivals

Mamallapuram Dance Festival is organised for around twenty days in the town of Mahabalipuram, celebrating diverse forms of folk dance popular across different regions and cultures of India. A stage is set before the stone sculpture range known as the Arjuna's Penance rock sculpture for the festival.

Top Attraction 3.7 /5

2 km from city center

Beach

Mahabalipuram Beach, also known locally as Mamallapuram Beach, is located 58 km from Chennai city in Tamil Nadu. The beach lies on the shore of the Bay of Bengal and features rock-cut sculptures along its shore. It has golden sand along its stretch and is also known for its caves, massive rathas, chariots, and temples, making it popular with surfers and swimmers.

7. Five Rathas

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

2 km from city center

Temple

Five Rathas, also known as Panch Rathas, is an exemplary set of rock temples showcasing the evolution of Dravidian style architecture.

1 km from city center

Cave

Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple, also known as Yampuri, is a rock-cut monument dating back to the 7th century. Its sanctum features two prominent carvings: Vishnu resting on the seven-hooded serpent, and Goddess Durga on her lion slaying the demon Mahishasura. The cave also depicts scenes from the Puranas.

1 km from city center

Museum

Sculpture Museum at Mahabalipuram houses sculptures depicting Hindu mythological characters, gods, and goddesses, with an elaborate collection of over 3,000 pieces. The stone, wood, brass, and cement sculptures are intricately carved and carry historic significance. Monolithic statues, rathas, sculpted reliefs, and miniatures can also be found here.

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

14 km from city center

Zoo

Crocodile Bank was established by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in 1976 and holds a varied collection of Indian and African alligators and crocodiles.

1 km from city center

Monument

Descent of the Ganges is a monument in Mahabalipuram dedicated to the legend of Goddess Ganga's descent to Earth.

1 km from city center

Temple

Varaha Cave Temple is an exquisite rock-cut Hindu temple in Mahabalipuram, created during the reign of Narasimhavarman I Mahamalla and considered one of the finest examples of Pallava art. Dating back to the 7th century, it bears testimony to the ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis and houses an idol of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) form, lifting Mother Earth.

13. Mamallapuram Lighthouse

1 km from city center

Lighthouse

Mamallapuram Lighthouse has been open to the public since 2011, though its circular masonry tower, built of natural stone, has been functional since 1904. Visitors are allowed to climb to the top for a view over the town.

1 km from city center

Temple

Krishna Cave Temple is an open-air relief dedicated to Lord Krishna, later enclosed within a mandap during the Vijayanagar empire in the 16th century. Its carvings depict the story of Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan and playing with the milkmaids.

1 km from city center

Temple

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, also called Thirukadalmallai, is built in the Dravidian style and is one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Sthalasayana Perumal alongside his consort Lakshmi as Nilamangai Thayar. The yearly Bhoothatazhwar Avatara festival is celebrated here during the Tamil month of Aipasi (October-November).

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

45 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

Alamparai Fort, near the village of Kadappakkam, is now mostly in ruins but remains a worthwhile place to visit. Overlooking the sea, it's one of the lesser-known historic sites in Tamil Nadu.

1 km from city center

Temple

Olakkannesvara Temple, also known as the Old Lighthouse, is a structural temple built in the 8th century out of grey-white granite, with a shikhara on top. Its hillock location offers a pleasant view of the town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though worship here ceased after the 19th century.

2 km from city center

Museum

India Seashell Museum in Mahabalipuram is one of a kind in the country and the largest such museum in Asia. It houses over 40,000 different specimens of rare and unique shells, serving as an educational repository for visitors.

1 km from city center

Temple

Ganesh Ratha is a fine example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture dating back to the late 7th century, built during the reign of Mahendravarman I. It was initially dedicated to Lord Shiva and housed a Shivalinga, which was later removed; Lord Ganesh is worshipped here today.

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

17 km from city center

Beach

Highlights: Old Church Ruins, Surfing, Covelong Point Fes (Read More)tival, Coastal Charm, Dutch Fort

Kovalam beach, located in the Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu, India, is a popular tourist destination known for its safe, clean, and hygienic environment with a range of facilities and activities to enjoy. The beach was earlier known as Covelong beach and is situated in a small fishing village called Covelong in the Kanchipuram district, about 36 km away from Chennai.

1 km from city center

Cave

Trimurti Cave, near the northern hills of Mahabalipuram, is known for its depiction of the Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Unlike other Pallava-built cave temples, it has no pillared mandap and opens directly to three shrines. A small shrine dedicated to Durga, depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura, is also present.

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

49 km from city center

Beach

Sadras is a fortress town and beach with an old ruined Dutch fort and a Dutch cemetery featuring finely embossed headstones. It's an interesting spot to explore Dutch colonial history in the region.

0 km from city center

Beach

Wide Beach lies on the route between Chennai and Mahabalipuram and is a stretch of beach used mainly by the local fishing community. It also has caves and rock sculptures along the shore, making it a good spot to spend a day away from the city and watch the sunrise or sunset.

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FAQs on Mahabalipuram

What are the top sightseeing places in Mahabalipuram?

The top sightseeing places in Mahabalipuram are Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram Beach, Five Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Alamparai Fort, Sadras.

What are the top restaurants in Mahabalipuram?

The best places to eat in Mahabalipuram are Gecko Cafe , Le Yogi, Moonrakers, Rose Garden, Freshly 'n Hot, Nautilus. You can see all the places to eat in Mahabalipuram here

How can I commute within Mahabalipuram?

There are ample modes of transport available within the town of Mahabalipuram, and some of these are buses and rented motorcycles. Being a small town, the major attractions can be covered on foot. This can help you cut down on your transport expenses, and also help you enjoy the beauty of the region gradually.
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Can you suggest an itinerary for Mahabalipuram?

Mahabalipuram can be covered within a day. Reach Mahabalipuram by morning. Visit the Tiger Cave that is located at the entrance of Mahabalipuram. Check out the rock monument called "The Descent of the Ganges", also known as Arjuna's Penance. Visit the Varaha and Krishna Cave temples. After lunch, check out the various handicraft stores that sell beautiful stone artefacts. Then, Visit the Krishna's Butterball and the Pancha Rathas.The India Seashell Museum is also worth a visit. End the trip with a visit to the Shore Temple.

Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram

"UNESCO heritage of temples, beaches, and rock carvings"

23 Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram

1. Shore Temple

2. Krishna's Butter Ball

3. Arjuna's Penance

4. Tiger Caves

Mahabalipuram Travel Packages

Sacred Tamil Nadu Trail – 7 Nights 8 Days from Madurai to Chennai

Magic of Chennai, Mahabalipuram & Madurai

Glorious Chennai to Kanyakumari Tour Package

5-Day Tamil Nadu Tour: Chennai, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram & Beaches

Holy Tamil Nadu Tour Package including Mahabalipuram

Mystical Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Madurai Tour Package

5. Mamallapuram Dance Festival

6. Mahabalipuram Beach

Top Hotels In Mahabalipuram

7. Five Rathas

8. Mahishasuramardini Cave

9. Sculpture Museum

10. Crocodile Bank

11. Descent Of The Ganges

12. Varaha Cave Temple

Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Mahabalipuram

13. Mamallapuram Lighthouse

14. Krishna Cave Temple

15. Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple

16. Alamparai Fort

17. Olakkannesvara Temple

18. India Seashell Museum

19. Ganesh Ratha Temple

20. Kovalam Beach, Chennai

21. Trimurti Cave

22. Sadras

23. Wide Beach

Places To Visit In Nearby Places

FAQs on Mahabalipuram

What are the top sightseeing places in Mahabalipuram?

What are the top restaurants in Mahabalipuram?

How can I commute within Mahabalipuram?

Can you suggest an itinerary for Mahabalipuram?

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