Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram has
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many years. Historically, it was the
second capital of the majestic Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. A huge heritage
centre in Tamil Nadu, tourists always visit it when coming from Chennai. To see
all the Tourist
attractions in Mahabalipuram,
you would need two whole days here—there’s so much to see and enjoy.
What
to See In Mahabalipuram
Known
for its many temples, historical monuments, culture, sculptures and tradition,
you can get the most out of your holiday if you take one of the popular Mahabalipuram
Tour Packages. With
the help of a guide, you can see all the top tourist spots like the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance,
PanchRathas, the mandapas or caves, Crocodile Farm, Cave Temples and India Sea shell
Museum and Krishna's Butter Ball. If you are here between December and January,
you can also participate in the famous Mamallapuram
Dance Festival.
Famous Tourist Spots Not to be
Missed
There are many spots to see
and be wowed in Mahabalipuram. But if your time here is short, do see at least
these three monuments:
Shore
Temple: Built in the 8thcentury, this
two-temple complex faces the sea. According to legend, there was initially a
cluster of five temples which were so stunning that they invited the wrath of
the Gods. A few sank in the sea, and now only two remain.
Arjuna’s
Penance: At a height of 43 meters, this monument is
stunning in its uniqueness. It is a carving done out of two adjoining boulders
which depict the story of the way Arjuna did penance to get Shiva’s weapon. It
needs to be seen to be appreciated.
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse: Near
the Mahabalipuram shore is situated an impressive lighthouse. You can visit it
during the day by climbing a spiral staircase and reaching the top. When you
reach the top, you will get a panoramic view of the huge seashore, apart from
the many rock structures and Mahabalipuram town below.
You should also visit Chennai,
Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, and Vellore, taking three to four-day trips so that
you visit Mahabalipuram to these places.
How to Get There
Mahabalipuram is situated
about 56 km from Chennai. In fact, the Chennai airport is
the closest to it. Once you land here, you can take a cab or bus and reach here
within two hours. About 30 km from here is the nearest railway station at
Chengalapattu. From here too, you can reach Mahabalipuram by cab or bus.
If you are enthused by these
sites and would like to visit Mahabalipuram, this is the best season for it.
But you cannot get the most out of your holiday on an unplanned trip. To enjoy
it to the fullest, have your trip planned by a seasoned travel agent, someone
like Optima Travels. By getting in touch with them and letting them know of
your interest in Mahabalipuram
Tourism, they can draw
up a wonderful itinerary for you, specific to your interests and the time you
can spend here. Of course, you should also tell them the size of your group and
any other details he should be aware of.
