Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu

Mahabalipuram is about 56kms south of Chennai, Tamilnadu on the Coromandal coasts of Bay of Bengal. This is the most visited tourist spot with monuments and sparkling beaches having vast shores of sand. 

Another name for this place is,  Mamallapuram named after the great Pallava king, Narasimha Varman who was a great wrestler (mamallan). The architectural monuments were built here dates back to the seventh century.

The main attraction around here are 

Shore Temple

It is said that there were, seven pagodas built during the era and only one is seen standing on the shores now. It is a 60ft tall vimana made of basatic rock. This temple is constructed with block rocks and Lord Vishu in his lying pose is seen at the rear end. There is a Nandi and is said a shrine for Shiva existed. The seawater corrosion has damaged the surface to a large exten and recently measures are being taken to preserve it. 

The shore Temple has been included in the list of world heritage sites of UNESCO. 

Five Rathas 

These are huge rock like structures that are named after the five Pandava kings and their wife Draupadi of the epic Mahabharata. It is carved out off a single rock and is shaped as a rathas (chariot). 

Arjuna's Penance

This tourist spot is a huge relief carved out of two adjacent rock portrays an extract of how Arjuna (one of the Pandava kings) performed severe austerities to seek the blessings of lord Shiva. It measures approximately 100ft wide and 45ft high. The magnitude of this carving is something which cannot be described but to be experienced by awing it.

Krishna's Butter Ball 

A precarious balancing huge boulder on a steep cliff is the Krishna's Butter Ball. Mythology says that lord Krishna liked butter and this could be a Butter Ball dropped by Gods, hence named as Krishna's Butter Ball. The tourists enjoy this place by climbing the slippery steep rock and try pushing the boulder. 

Mahabalipuram is a must see tourist place with numerous beaches and resorts surrounding it. One can spend either a day to a few days sightseeing the different places at ones pace. Government has taken a lot of effort towards resoration and maintenance to keep this attractions clean and tourist friendly. 

Mahabalipuram is well connected by a scenic coastal road, ECR, from Chennai. East Coast Road (ECR) also sports  other interesting attractions like, crocodile bank, a 3D museum and amusement parks.