Sadurangapatinam Beach

About:

This Sadurangapatinam Beache is another fishing village, 16 Kms south of Mamallapuram. A ruined fort of Dutch origin near the beach houses tomb stones dating back to 16-17th century. If you are heading further down south, 75 kms away from Pondicherry you will reach Pichavaram. Mangrove forests could be seen with backwaters criss crossing the entire forest area.

This is another fishing village, 16 Kms south of Mamallapuram. A ruined fort of Dutch origin near the beach houses tomb stones dating back to 16-17th century. If you are heading further down south, 75 kms away from Pondicherry you will reach Pichavaram. Mangrove forests could be seen with backwaters criss crossing the entire forest area.

An ecological paradise, Pichavaram could be visited throughout the year. Boating operations on backwaters and the simple accommodation on the bank are run by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. 16 Kms West of Pichavaram is Chidambaram, a town famous for the Lord Nataraja Temple, a sprawling complex with multiple gopurams.

An ecological paradise, Pichavaram could be visited throughout the year. Boating operations on backwaters and the simple accommodation on the bank are run by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. 16 Kms West of Pichavaram is Chidambaram, a town famous for the Lord Nataraja Temple, a sprawling complex with multiple gopurams.The presiding deity Siva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer. Various "Mudras" - gestures of the South Indian dance of Bharatanatyam, adorn the temple. The temple is a stupendous repository of art. Every year, a dance festival called Natyanjali festival is celebrated during Mahasivarathn period.

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:

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

Mobile range info:

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

Sadurangapatinam Beach