Mahabalipuram Beach

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The Mahabalipuram beach is a marvelous destination to visit. It is probably one of the finest un-touched beaches in India. Situated on the coastline of Tamil Nadu, it is nearby the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Bengal. Truly a mesmerizing beach !

Mamallapuram beach is in Tamil Nadu, India. More information on Mamallapuram beach can be had from Indianholiday.com. Mamallapuram beach is also known as Mahabalipuram. Sunbathing is one of the must do activities at Mamallapuram beach. Mamallapuram beach offers visitors a rare combination of historical significance and natural splendor.

The port city of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, was once a port city of the Pallavas on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is home to exotic monuments belonging to the times of Pallavas including Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas or Chariots and Temples. However, it is the beach that gives the city its true beauty. The stone marvels can be compared to the dressing of an already delicious preparation.

The robust earthly beauty full of life, the monumental splendors and the sunny beach resorts along with a crocodile farm, snake venom extracting centre and art and sculpture schools make it one of the most interesting and desirable tourist destinations. Mamallapuram beach is more known for its bas-reliefs and shore and cave temples than its sands and sea waves. Wile on the way to the beach, one should certainly visit the Dakshinachitra, a heritage centre that shows traditional craftsmen and folk artists hard at work giving performances and recreating the scenes of 19th century Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Five Rathas or Chariots also known as the 'Pancha Pandava Rathas' are five monolithic temples, each built in its own unique style. Four of these Chariot temples are said to be made from a single rock formation. Last but not the least, Tiger's Cave is an open-air theatre of Mamallapuram situated on the seaside lending it an aura of peace. Cultural programmes are regularly held here.

Shore Temple is surely the highlight of the beach. One of the oldest temples in south India dating back to early 8th century, it is built in Dravidian temple architectural style. Besides these, there is world's largest bas-relief known as Arjuna's measuring 27m x 9m, which looks like a huge whale-back ornamented with figures of gods and demigods, men, beasts and birds.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

The climate of Mahabalipuram remains hot and sultry throughout the year with a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 19°C. The best time to visit this place is during October to March. One is advised to avoid the monsoon period.

Interesting things to do:

South of Madras on the shores of Bay of Bengal, Mamallapuram was once a port city of the Pallava rulers. The temples and rock cut sculptures of that period create a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art.

The art in the marvellous monuments with sculpted panels, caves, monolith rathas and temples lay emphasis on robust earthly beauties, imbibed with life. The sculptures are breathtakingly real and artistic. The Pallavas were followers of Jainism but the conversion of Mahendra Vernman to Shaivism had drastic consequences on the future of Jainism and it also explains the Shiva and Vishnu temple at Mamallapuram.

The Shore temple is perhaps the most photographed monument in India after Taj Mahal. The temple is floodlit in the night and is a pure visual delight. The pleasure of watching the monument in light with cool breeze from the sea has no comparison. Mamallapuram attracts tourists from all over the globe to its monumental splendour and sunny beaches.

Interesting things to Visit:

Dakshinachitra:
Coming down from Chennai to Mahabalipuram you can visit Dakshinachitra - a heritage center. Here traditional craftspersons and folk artists work and perform in the same manner as they used to in 19th century. These skilled people were mainly residing at Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Arjuna's Penance:
The world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m, is the pride of Mahabalipuram. This huge rock consists figures of Gods, Demigods, men, beasts, birds and representing the entire creation.

Five Rathas:
Ratha are nothing else but five monolithic temples, each having there own style. They are also known as the "Pancha Pandava Rathas". Out of these five, four of the Rathas are supposed to have carved out of a single rock formation.

Tiger's Cave:
The Tiger Cave is situated at 4-km north of the main monument complex. It was an open-air theater, where cultural programmes were held. Being very near the sea, the place is exotic and serene.

Mahabalipuram BeachShore Temple:
One of the oldest temples in south India, the Shore Temple belongs to the early 8th century AD. It is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. These monuments look more beautiful at night when they are floodlit

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How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Beach Temples:
The most renowned tourist attractions of the town of Mahabalipuram are its beautiful beach temples. The five rathas (chariots) are architectural precursors of the temples of south Indian. The smallest and the simplest is the Draupadi ratha and the largest is the multi-storeyed Dharmaraja ratha scopped from a monolithic rock. These small unfinished shrines ravaged by war and weather are things of undiminished beauty. The Kailasanatha temple, Sri Varadaraja temple, Sri Vaikuntaperumal temple, etc are all amamzing instances of patience, skill and labour.

Varaha Cave:
The Varaha Cave is a small rock-cut mandapam (hall), that is a Mahabalipuram rocksfaceted and finished gem with four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers

Tirukkalikundram:
Tirukkalikundram is a pilgrimage center that lies around 14 km from Mahabalipuram. It is a hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that is worth visiting.

Muttukadu:
Muttukadu is an ideal place for water sports that is located 21 km from Mamallapuram. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has a boathouse here. Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing. The Dakshina Chitra of Madras Craft Foundation here has replica of an old agricultural house of Tamil Nadu, replica of Kanchipuram weavers house and replicas of ancient houses presenting the lifestyle of South India.

Sculpture Museum:
The Sculpture Museum in East Raja Street contains more than 3,000 sculptures by the local artisans, made in wood, metal, brass, and cement.

Arunachaleshvara Temple:
Known to Hindus as the "Temple of the Eternal Sunrise", the enormous Arunachaleshvara Temple, built over a period of almost a thousand years, consists of three concentric courtyards whose gateways are topped by tapering gopuras, the largest of which cover the east and north gates. The best spot from which to view the precinct, a breathtaking spectacle against the sprawling plains and lumpy, granite Shevaroy Hills, is the path up to Sri Ramana Maharishi's meditation cave, Virupaksha sree The caves and Sri Ramanasram ashram, on the lower slopes of Arunachala.

Covelong Beach:
Merely, 40 kms away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai, Covelong is a dreamy village. But it is brisk with fishing activities. The sea and the surf here are gentle. The charming spot of Covelong is at a distance of forty kilometers from the capital city of Tamil Nadu Chennai. The tourists and the travelers throng the quiet village. The vivacious village of Covelong is renowned for its fishing activities.

Crocodile Bank:
The Crocodile Bank in Chennai is the home to several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators. Crocodile Bank in Chennai was founded by Romulus Whitaker, a herpetologist in 1976. Crocodile Bank in Chennai is spread over 3.2 hectares of lush vegetation. The Crocodile Bank of Chennai is the largest crocodile-breeding site in the country.The Crocodile Bank of Chennai was established with an objective of spreading the awareness of the ecological role played by crocodiles in selectively feeding on sick, weak and injured fish. Such projects are conducted on biology and study of crocodiles, turtles and lizards.

Vedanthangal Water Birds Sanctuary :
One of the most spectacular breeding grounds in India. Cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes and many others.The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has been protected by the local people for well over 250 years. The sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village and is only 75 Km from Chennai. The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petrol Pump:Mahabalipuram,Kanchipuram,Tamil Nadu,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Quality Inn Mgm Beach Resort:1 74 New Mahabalipuram Rd,Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:044 27472435

Ideal Beach Resort:Beach Rd,Mahabalipuram,Kanchipuram,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:044 27442240

Fortune Chariot Beach Resort:Five Rathas Road,Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:044 2744 3002

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

N4 Police Station:Suryanarayana Road,Tondiarpet,Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India

Beach-Chennai Hospital:No 4, Lig Colony, Cross Road,New Washermenpet, Chennai, Tamil nadu,India,Ph:044 25914041

Mahabalipuram Beach