Mahabalipuram
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Travel guide
About Mahabalipuram
Mamallapuram was the port of the Pallava kings. Between the 7th and 8th centuries their sculptors carved temples, cave shrines and the world's largest open-air bas-relief straight out of the granite. The Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today it's a relaxed beach town about an hour and a half from Chennai, with stone-carving workshops, seafood shacks and the December–January dance festival.
- Best time
- November to February. The Mamallapuram Dance Festival runs from late December to January.
- Ideal trip
- 1–2 days (or 3 with Kanchipuram)
- Getting there
- About 55 km from Chennai on the East Coast Road, roughly 1.5 hours.
- For visitors from abroad
- One ticket covers the Shore Temple and Five Rathas on the same day. Sunrise at the Shore Temple is the best photo light.
3 itineraries
Mahabalipuram Tour Packages
Each one is fully customisable: dates, hotels, pace and days.
Mahabalipuram Tour: UNESCO Shore Temple & Pallava Coast (3 Days)
- Chennai → Chennai
- Best: Nov – Feb
Starting from₹11,500 /person
View Itinerary
Tamil Nadu Temple Tour: Chennai to Madurai via Pondicherry & Thanjavur (9 Days)
- Chennai → Madurai
- Best: Dec – Feb
Starting from₹46,500 /person
View ItineraryEast Coast Road Trip for Friends: Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry, 4 Days
- Chennai → Chennai
- Best: Nov – Feb
Starting from₹12,500 /person
View ItineraryDon't miss
Best Things to Do in Mahabalipuram
Shore Temple
An early 8th-century granite temple right on the shoreline.
Pancha Rathas
Five monolithic temples, each carved from a single rock.
Arjuna's Penance
A 27 m-long relief of gods, animals and the descent of the Ganga.
Krishna's Butterball
A giant boulder balanced on a slope for centuries.
DakshinaChitra
A living museum of South Indian homes and crafts on the drive from Chennai.
What to Eat
- 🍽️ Fresh catch at the beach shacks
- 🍽️ Filter coffee
- 🍽️ Chettinad meals
- 🍽️ Tender coconut
In pictures
Mahabalipuram in Pictures
FAQs
Mahabalipuram: Your Questions
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On-trip help
Is a day trip from Chennai enough?+
For the monuments, yes. Stay one night to catch sunrise at the Shore Temple and the town without day-trippers.
Can we swim?+
The sea has strong currents; swimming is not advised. Kovalam (Covelong) beach nearby is better for surfing lessons.
How do we add Kanchipuram?+
Kanchipuram is about 65 km inland, roughly 1.5 hours. Our 3-day trip does both.
