Tourist Places in Mahabalipuram

Attractions in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is renowned for its sculpted reliefs, rathas and the magnificent Shore Temple. Among the reliefs, Arjuna's Penance is fascinating. It is a colossal art form, 27 meters long and 9 meters high and is perhaps the world's largest sculpted base -relief. It depicts the descent of the Ganga and scenes form the Panchatantra. Varaha Cave is a small rock cut mandapam (hall) with two incarnations of Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). It also has four brilliant panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers.

Amidst casuarinas trees are the famous rathas (chariots). The Pancha Pandava Rathas, as they are called, are five in number. Among the rock-cut temples, the Krishna Temple is one of the oldest. The walls of the temples depict scenes of pastoral life, one with the image of Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill in his fingertips to protect his people from Indra.The most spectacular sight at Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple a sentinel of history standing up against the lashing waves. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is a visual delight with a plethora of architectural display like the compound wall lined with charming sculptures of Nandi, the bull and the figure of Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum.

Excursions from Mahabalipuram

Excursions can be made from Mahabalipuram to neighboring places of interest. If you have visited Mahabalipuram, then you should touch the other ends of the Golden Triangle temple tour of Kanchipuram and Chennai. Kanchipuram, a dusty and small town is popularly called the Golden Town of a Thousand Temples with the famous Kamakshi, Varadarajaswami, and Kailasanathar temples, brilliant examples of Pallavan Art. Kanchipuram (65 km) has become the synonym for some of India's finest silk saris. If you are a nature lover and a bird watcher you should visit Vedanthangal, the site of one of India's largest bird sanctuaries. It also provides facilities for windsurfing, swimming and water sports. Crocodile Bank is situated barely 14 km from Mahabalipuram on the Chennai-Mahabalipuram road. Set up by an American named Romulus Whitaker in 1976, the number of crocodiles in the bank grew in its first 15 years from just 15 to over 5,000. Located nearby is a snake farm where anti-venom is produced. An ideal beach getaway would be Covelong, the picturesque beach resort, just 19 km from Mahabalipuram.You can also enjoy the sights and sounds of the quiet fishing village with the remains of a fort.

Festivals in Mahabalipuram

The most important festival of the Tamil Nadu is Pongal celebrated in mid-January every year. 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 in the precincts of the Shore Temple. The music emanating from the musical instruments blends with the natural music of wind and the sea creating an enrapturing ambience. The Sthalasayana Perumal temple festivals, Masimagam and Brahmothsavam, are held in the month of March