About Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Holiday Packages

Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram which is a name for rock-cut caves and carved temples has a historic importance and is a well-loved tourist location of Tamil Nadu state. The city of temples is on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal.

The Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, and the Crocodile Bank are included in the UNESCO world heritage site. The city was established during Pallava dynasty. Mahabalipuram has become an important port and a splendid center of rich activity here. The Pallavas dynasty has left behind a treasure of magnificent history, architecture and culture which included stunning monoliths, rock temples and attractive statues of deities etc. Mahabalipuram tour packages are sure to take you back in history to the days of bygone glory.

If you are planning a tour for visiting temples, forts and palaces, then the best option to explore is Mahabalipuram. So, book your Mahabalipuram tour package to enjoy a piece of history with your family or friends.

Best Places To Visit

1. Shore Temple

The major tourist destinations of Mahabalipuram include the Shore Temple which dates back to the 8th century BC. The Pallavas have built a magnificent temple using blocks of granite in the Dravidian style. Shore temples are built in pyramid style resting on a 60 feet high and 50 feet square platform.

2. Five Rathas Temple

The Pancha Ratha Temple is a rock-cut temple built by the Pallavas at the end of the 7th century. The Panch Rathas Temple was named after the Pandavas and other characters in the Mahabharata, like Draupadi Ratha, Dharmaraja Ratha and such others. The next chariot is the Arjuna Chariot which is dedicated to Lord Bholenath.

3. Mahabalipuram Beach

Mahabalipuram Beach is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in the south, about 58 km from Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. It is about 20 km long beach which came into existence since the 20th century. This beach is popular among tourists for beach activities like sunbathing, diving, windsurfing and water skiing.

4. Arjuna’s Penance

One of the main attractions of Mahabalipuram is Arjuna's penance which is about 30 meters long and 9 meters high and it is built on two huge rocks. Arjuna's penance is one of the most popular 7th - 8th century stone carvings of Mahabalipuram. This has carvings like those of animals, birds, semi-celestial creatures, elephants and monkeys and so on.

5. Thirukalukundram Temple

It is a scenic spot in Mahabalipuram, situated on the hilltop. The temple is 15 km west of Mahabalipuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The principal deities of the Thirukalukundram temple are Arulmigu Vedagireshwar and Arulmighu Thirumalai Aldiyar.

Best Time To Visit

You can visit Mahabalipuram at any time of the year, but the best time to visit is considered to be between the months of November to February, as the weather during this time is quite favorable for traveling.

Summer (March to June)

Mahabalipuram is quite humid in summer and you can definitely visit this destination during this time. Also, you need to carry water bottles, umbrellas and sunglasses to protect yourself from the heat.

Monsoon (July to September)

Though Monsoon drops the temperature but it brings an occasional heavy shower. The rain makes the environment fresh and green and it is not a bad time to visit Mahabalipuram.

Winter (October to February)

Winter is considered the best time to visit Mahabalipuram. The weather remains pleasant with warm days and cool nights. The time is great for sightseeing and outdoor activities

How To Reach

By Flight

There is no direct flight service available for Mahabalipuram. The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is Chennai Airport which is located in Chennai at a distance of about 40 km only. From the airport you can hire taxis or use public transport to reach Mahabalipuram.

By Train

There is no direct train service to Mahabalipuram. The nearest railway station is Egmore railway station which is located in Chennai city. From the railway station you can hire a taxi or can use public transport to reach your destination.

By Road

Mahabalipuram, the temple city is very well connected to all the nearby cities via road. You can easily reach Mahabalipuram via bus or taxi from Chennai.