If you want to have the pleasure of viewing history against the picturesque setting of a beach, then you should travel to the seaside town of Mahabalipuram.One of the pristine beaches in India on the coastline of TamilNadu, Mahabalipuiram has a rich heritage. A flourishing port town in Tamil Nadu of the Pallava rulers, it is famous for its rock - cut art. The history of Mahabalipuram is shrouded in mystery. Nothing is known as to why the Pallava rulers of south India chiseled in stone a fabulous "open-air museum" of sculpture.

The tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram are the sculpted reliefs, rathas and the magnificent Shore Temple. Among the reliefs, Arjuna's Penance is fascinating. Varaha Cave is a small rock cut mandapam (hall with two incarnations of Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). 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 most spectacular sight at Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple, a sentinel of history standing up against the lashing waves.

Excursions from Mahabalipuram can be made to neighboring places of interest. Kanchipuram, a dusty and small town is popularly called the Golden Town of a Thousand Temples with 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. An ideal beach getaway would be Covelong, the picturesque beach resort, just 19 km from Mahabalipuram.

The most prominent festival in Mahabalipuram is the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival 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.

While shopping in Mahabalipuram, you will find the famous stone and wooden sculptures. Soapstpones, granite and wood are used to carve out gods and goddesses and unique scenes captures from everyday life. Hotels in Mahabalipuram welcome the tourists who flock to this seaside town to enjoy the beaches and see the magnificent monuments and temples.

Travel.mapsofindia offers online booking of hotels and tour packages to Mahabalipuram and all over India.
TRAVEL TO MAHABALIPURAM  |  HOW TO REACH MAHABALIPURAM  |  TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN MAHABALIPURAM  |  HOTELS IN MAHABALIPURAM  |  SHOPPING IN MAHABALIPURAM