Mahabalipuram Tourism Guide
Mahabalipuram is a temple town situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The sheer sculptural extravaganza of the rock-cut temples is not only reflective of the artistic tastes of the erstwhile Pallava rulers.
Mahabalipuram (or Mamallapuram, its ancient name) is one of history's intriguing enigmas. Situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The sandy beaches of Mahabalipuram are also very popular among tourists, one of the longest and cleanest beaches of India, this beautiful beach is 20 kms long. Travel to Mahabalipuram beach and you will get a good chance to indulge in various water sports here. Apart from the cold waves and soft sand, a few fascinating monuments further beautifies this beach. The city is well connected through a network of roads from Chennai and other important cities of South India.
History of Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram was a flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of south India who chiseled in stone a fabulous "open-air museum" of sculpture under the vault of a burning sky. Apart from this, nothing is known of the place. What was the purpose behind this whole exercise, and, more important, why all the royal patronage this place enjoyed suddenly disappeared, no one actually has any answer. Experts say that there were seven pagodas or temples on the shores of Mahabalipuram. All but one were spoilled by the furious sea, though there is little underwater evidence to substantiate their existence.
Enthralling Sites To Visit in Mahabalipuram
Five Rathas : Five Rathas are the one of the most magnificent tourist attractions at Mahabalipuram Beaches. Five Rathas are actually five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. They are modeled around chariots that are called 'Rathas' in Hindi. They are also known as the 'Pancha Pandava Rathas', which means that each one of them represent 5 Pandavas, the protagonists of Indian epic Mahabharata. The most mesmerizing aspect of this monument is the fact that the four of the Rathas are supposed to have scooped out of a single rock formation.
Dakshinachitra : A must visit site on the Mahabalipuram beach is Dakshinachitra, a heritage village that is the brainchild of the Ministry of Culture. The village falls to your left when you start moving from Chennai to Mahabalipuram. The place is being developed as a model village that will have dedicated sectors depicting 19th century villages of states like Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Everything, right from roads to utensils will represent that era. This ambitious project will take years to complete and is currently home to hundreds of artists and masons who are working on this project.
Tiger's Cave : Tiger's Cave is just 4 kilometers off to the main monument complex of the Mahabalipuram beach. The place is actually an open-air theatre, where activities and programs highlighting the cultural heritage of Tamilnadu are held. As this place is ashore Coromandel Coast, it is very serene and calm.
The 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.
Places Around Mahabalipuram
Tiger Caves (5Kms) - Located at the north of Mahabalipuram is Tiger Caves, a rock-cut shrine, possibly dating from 7th century.
Tirukkalikundram (14 km) - It is a pilgrimage center. The place has a hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Muttukadu (21 km) - An ideal place for water sports, 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.
Fairs and Festivals
Pongal, the most important festival of the Tamils, is celebrated in mid-January every year. The festival is celebrated amidst gaiety and joy not only in Tamil Nadu but also in most parts of South India.
Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is an occasion for the dance lovers to enjoy the performances of the artists from all parts of the country. The festival is celebrated in the month of January/February every year. The Shore Temple forms the backdrop of this festival and the music from the musical instruments mixes with the natural music of wind and the sea. The Mahabalipuram Dance festival is an occasion when artists from all over the country come together to perform.
The Sthalasayana Perumal temple festivals, Masimagam and Brahmothsavam, are held in the month of March.
Climate
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.
Things to see
