Famous for its ancient history, Mahabalipuram is one of the popular towns in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu state. Best known for historic monuments, some of the popular world heritage sites, this place has gained considerable popularity over a period of time.
Here is the list of 10 must visiting places in Mahabalipuram
1. Arjuna’s Penance
Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of Ganges is a popular monument since Pallavas age. This open-air sculpture depicts the story of Ganga coming to Earth. Its length is astonishingly high 100ft long and 45ft tall. As per architects, this place is one of the best art works of cut-rocks. Arjuna’s Penance is one amongst the list of UNESCO world’s heritage sites.
2. Thirukadalmallai or Sthalasayana Perumal Temple
This temple is one amongst the 108 temples of lord Vishnu. While visiting this holy place, you can see two separate shrines, one devoted to Lord Sthalasayana Perumal and Nilamangai Thayaar and another one to Lord Narasimha.
3. Cave Temples
Mahabalipuram is home to divine Rock-Cut Cave Temples. You can find approx. 8 of them that were built during the 7th century under the leadership of Pallava Kings. This temple contains numerous finely-cut columns each depicted one lord or the other. Some of the popular deities can be seen here Atiranachanda, Kotikal, Krishna, Mahishasuramardini, Panchapandava, Varaha, Trimurti, and Tiger.
4. Shore Temple
This temple overlooks the shores of Bay of Bengal and hence derives this name, Shore Temple. Sometimes confused as 7 Pagodas, as per belief, 7 Pagodas stayed here until the time Tsunami hit this shores temple in the 13th century AD.
5. Pancha Rathas
Complex monument, one of the most sites of attractions of Mahabalipuram. This monument is carved out from a single piece of rock. 5 temples are devoted especially to Hindu gods and have been named after 5 Pandavas of Mahabharata.
6. Krishna’s Butter Ball
As the name suggests, a big granite ball resting on a small inclination. The overall size of this ball is 6ft high, 5meters wide and almost 250 pounds in weight. This ball stands on a small base and is there from past 1200 years.
7. India Seashell Museum
This museum is one of the newest Indian Museums and is the largest seashell museums of Asia. While visiting this place, you get a chance to explore 40,000 different species of seashells.
8. Mamallapuram Lighthouse
This lighthouse basically aims to promote lighthouse tourism in India. This is a project to promote 13 other lighthouses of the country.
9. Varaha Cave Temple
Again, a Hindu rock-cut cave temple built during the 7th century. This temple is one of the UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
10. Krishna Mandapam
Located on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal is a popular monument called Krishna Mandapam. It is the one of the oldest and the largest Hindu temple in Mahabalipuram built from the rock-cut caves.
Hopefully, you find this list useful and consider it while planning your trip to Mahabalipuram.
