Tourist Attractions
The Shore Temple
One of the most prominent places to visit in Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple. Since the temple is located right next to the coast of Bay of Bengal, it is termed as the Shore Temple and it is the biggest attraction of the coastal town. The temple complex was built between 700-728 AD under the patronage of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava Dynasty. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Monuments at Mahabalipuram are a group of religious shrines nestled along the Coromandel Coast. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are more than 400 monuments at the place. Apart from the temples, the many caves at the Monuments of Mahabalipuram are equally amazing to behold. Admire the temples for their beautifully carved architecture as you lose yourself in the tide of timelessness.
Arjuna's Penance
One of the most prominent reliefs at the archaeological site of Mahabalipuram happens to be the relief-Arjuna's Penance. The bas relief is a must visit while you are on a tour of Mahabalipuram. The relief was carved out of a single stone and stands almost 45 feet tall from the ground. Just above the shrine, Arjuna's figure is carved standing. Arjuna's Penance is a must observe while on a tour of Mahabalipuram's ancient monuments.
Pancha Rathas
Another major site to behold among the main monuments of Mahabalipuram are the Pancha Rathas, that literally translates as the Five Chariots. These are monolithic rock-cut temples carved out of a single huge rock standing majestically on the southernmost extreme of the monuments complex. The five rathas are dedicated to the five Pandava Brothers and their wife Draupadi.
Built in the south Indian style of architecture, these chariots are definitely worth admiring.
India Seashell Museum
One of its kind in India, Seashell Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Mahabalipuram. Opened for public in 2013, the museum is an initiative of an individual named Raja Mohammed. The museum houses more than 2300 species of shells and nearly 40000 exhibits-all from Mohammed's personal collection. Admire the huge collections of shells and learn more about marine life at the museum.
Krishna's Butter Ball
Popularly referred to as Krishna's Butter Ball, it is a huge round-shaped boulder standing at an angle of 45 degrees and balancing itself atop a rock. While there's not much to the site aesthetically, thousands of tourists are attracted towards it simply because its highly intriguing. It stands on an approximately 1.2 meter base on a slope and is believed to have been on the same place for nearly 1300 years.
Varaha Cave Temple
A significant part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Group of Monuments, the Varaha Cave Temple is yet another interesting place to visit in Mahabalipuram. The cave temple is one of the finest examples of the Pallava style of Architecture. Varaha - a form of Lord Vishnu is the most important sculpture in the temple, is seen holding on Bhumi, his wife (a form of mother earth) on his trunks.
Krishna Mandpam
Also referred to as the Krishna Cave Temple, the Krishna Mandapam is the largest-cave cut religious shrine among the Group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram. Legends have it that, Lord Krishna saved the common people from Indra's wrath of incessant rains by lifting up the Govardhan mountain. This particular episode from Hindu mythology has been reconstructed in the form of frescos here, which is truly admirable.
Pancha Pandava Cave
Yet another wonderful place to visit in Mahabalipuram's main Group of Monuments is the Pancha Pandava Caves. As the name suggests, the rock-cut cave temple is dedicated to the five Pandava brothers. Despite being unfinished, the cave continues to remain one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabalipuram. One of the unique frescoes in the Group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram, the Pancha Pandava Cave is a must visit in the coastal town.
Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple
Among all the cave temples in the coastal town, the Mahishasuramardini Cave temple is one of the interesting places to visit in Mahabalipuram. Located very near to a lighthouse, the cave temple is dedicated to commemorate the mythological episode where Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. The carving symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. This particular carving is considered one of best creations of the Pallava Period.
Ganesh Ratha Temple
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Ganesh Ratha Temple is a major religious shrine in the coastal town and one of the most important places to visit in Mahabalipuram. The chariot is an example of a rock-cut monolith architecture dating back to the Pallava Dynasty. It was constructed during the reign of Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman. One of the main features of the Temple is the engravings inscribed in Nagari and Granth script. (74)
Trimurti Cave
The Trimurti Cave is a religious shrine dedicated to the three triumvirate of Hinduism-Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar. This particular cave temple is yet another fine example of Pallava architecture. The temple is different from other temples in a way that it doesn't have pillared mandapas. The right most shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the left one to Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma resides in the middle one.
Tiger Cave Temple
Among the many sculpted wonders of Mahabalipuram happens to be the less-visited Tiger Caves. Dedicated to Lord Subramanya, the temple does end up attracting some enthusiastic and seasoned travellers. Dating back to the 7th and the 8th century, the Tiger Caves are associated with the Pallava Dynasty. It is believed that the Pallava Kings addressed their audience from this point.
Wide Beach
The Wide Beach is definitely a major attraction of Mahabalipuram. Located right next to the Shore Temple, the beach makes for an excellent option to take a stroll and witness either sunrise or sunset. Since the beach is a rocky one, swimming is not a great idea. However, Wide Beach is definitely one of the best places to visit in Mahabalipuram.
Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple
Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple is a popular religious shrine in Mahabalipuram. Ranked among the 61st of the total 108 Divya Desams, the shrine attracts several devotees round the year. The presiding here is Lord Vishnu who is seen in a sleeping posture with his hands on his chest. One of the common religious shrines in Mahabalipuram, do remember to offer prayers at the Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple.
Mahabalipuram Beach
One of the most popular beaches in south India, the water's edge is worth a visit if you happen to be in Mahabalipuram. A sudden stroll on the beach with your significant other in the evening watching the sunset is an experience to remember. Adventure lovers can end up trying activities like diving and surfing at the Mahabalipuram Beach.
Sculpture Museum
The sculpture museum is yet another major tourist attraction in the coastal town of Mahabalipuram. As the name suggests, the museum is exclusively dedicated to sculptures and houses more than 3000 of them. Most of the sculptures are that of Gods and Goddesses, and these highlight the astounding art of the Gupta Period. Buddhist and Hindu sculptures are also present in the sculpture museum.
Maritime Heritage Museum
Another major attraction among all the places to visit in Mahabalipuram happens to be the Maritime Heritage Museum. As the name suggests, the museum houses various maritime heritages. These include several ancient ships and first ships that landed on the coast of Mahabalipuram. And these also include the models of the routes that these ships took to reach up to the Indian coast.
Lighthouse Heritage Museum
The Lighthouse Heritage Museum is among the latest additions among the awesome list of places to visit in Mahabalipuram. The museum consists of all kinds of heritage items from the old lighthouses of Mahabalipuram and other items related to the same. If you are interested in exploring something different in this coastal town, then a tour of the Lighthouse Heritage Museum is a must.
Raya Gopuram
The Raya Gopuram happens to be an offbeat attraction in the shore town of Mahabalipuram. It is ideally an unfinished structure now ruins of a temple. Historians opine that the structure belongs to the 16th century and is a latter addition among the monuments of Mahabalipuram. While there's not much to do here but admiring the tall structure with all its intricately woven inscriptions are definitely worth it.
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