Mahabalipuram

MAHABALIPURAM– TAMILNADU TRAVEL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

The temple city of Mahabalipuram (also Mamallapuram) is situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is well connected through a network of roads from Chennai and other important cities of South India.

History

The history of Mahabalipuram is an intriguing one. Although its ancient history remains unclear, numismatics, temples and other sources of historical evidence suggest that it was a place of significance even before the temples were built. Some historical facts about Mahabalipuram are mentioned below:

Mahabalipuram is a historic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
It became a prominent center of art and literature between 3^rd and 7^th century CE.
Ancient mariners referred to Mahabalipuram as the “land of the Seven Pagodas”.
Several coins excavated from here reveal the existence of trade with Romans in ancient times.

How to Reach :

1.By Road :

Mamallapuram is connected by road to Chennai (57km), Tirukkalikundram (15.2km), Kanchipuram (69 km), and Pondicherry (95.6km).

2.By Train :

The nearest railway station, Chengalpattu, is situated around 29 km away from Mahabalipuram. Trains for Chennai and several other major cities in South India are available from here.

3.By Air :

The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai (Madras), located around 60 km away. One can get flights for almost all major destinations in India and abroad.

Best Time to Visit :

The best time to visit Mahabalipuram is during the winters, from the months of November to February. During this time, days are pleasant while the nights are cool. The conditions are just perfect for sightseeing and exploration.

Places to Visit :

Mahabalipuram is home to several tourist attractions that make for great exploration and sightseeing. There are several temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites besides other attractions which never stop amazing the visitors.

Here are the most famous tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram:

Arjuna’s Penance
Thirukadalmallai or Sthalasayana Perumal Temple
Shore Temple
Crocodile Farm
Krishna’s Butterball
Cave Temples
Mahabalipuram (Mammallapuram) Dance Festival
India Seashell Museum

Places Around Mahabalipuram :

There are several tourist attractions around Mahabalipuram that can be visited by tourists. Some of the popular places that lie in close proximity to Mahabalipuram are: