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Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry Tour Packages

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€320

Trip to the Monuments of Mahabalipuram and the French Town of Pondicherry

4 Nights/ 5 Days

(113 Reviews)

From$ 360

€640

An Interesting Cultural Journey Through the Famous and Colorful Temple Towns of South India

8 Nights/ 9 days

(24 Reviews)

From$ 730

€210

A Weekend in Pondicherry: Beaches, Cafes and the Artistic French Town

2 Nights/ 3 Days

(82 Reviews)

From$ 240

Places to Visit in including Mahabalipuram Temple and Mahabalipuram Beach

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is a collection of 7th and 8th century CE religious monuments in the coastal resort town of Mahabalipuram. It is also an UNESCO Heritage Site.

The site has 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples, which includes one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world: the Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance. The group contains several categories of monuments, which includes ratha temples with monolithic processional chariots, built between 630 and 668; mandapa viharas (cave temples) with narratives from the Mahabharata and Shaivic, Shakti and Vaishna inscriptions in a number of Indian languages and scripts; rock reliefs; stone-cut temples built between 695 CE and 722 CE, and archaeological excavations dated to the 6th century and earlier.

The monuments were built during the Pallava dynasty. Known as the Seven Pagodas in many colonial-era publications, they are also called the Mamallapuram temples or Mahabalipuram temples in contemporary literature. The site, which has been restored after 1960, has been managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

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Shore Temple

Shore temple is a complex of temples and shrines. It was built in 700–728 AD. In fact, as the name suggests, it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is built with blocks of granite, which dates from the 8th century AD. During the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty, when it was created, the site was a busy port. Since 1984, as one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed, it is one of the oldest structural (vis-a-vis rock-cut) stone temples in the region.

Pancha Rathas

Pancha Rathas, which literally means the 5 Chariots is also known as Pandava (The 5 siblings in the epic Mahabharat) Rathas (Chariot). In fact, the Pancha Rathas is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. The complex was carved during the reign of King Narasimhavarman I (630–668 AD). The complex is under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex resembles a chariot (ratha). Their beauty lies in the fact that each is carved over a single, long stone or monolith, of granite which slopes in north-south direction with a slight incline. In order of their size, they include the Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, and Draupadi Ratha.

Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna's Penance

Descent of the Ganges is a monument at Mamallapuram. Measuring 96 by 43 feet (29 m × 13 m), it is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders. The legend depicted in the relief is the story of the descent of the sacred river Ganges to earth from the heavens led by Bhagiratha. The waters of the Ganges are believed to possess supernatural powers. The descent of the Ganges and Arjuna’s Penance are portrayed in stone at the Pallava heritage site. The relief is more of a canvas of Indian rock cut sculpture at its best not seen anywhere in India. It is one of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

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Krishna's Butter Ball

Krishna’s Butterball, which is also known as Vaan Irai Kal and Krishna’s Gigantic Butterball, is a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline in the historical coastal resort town of Mamallapuram. It is a sight worth visiting.

It is also part of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built during 7th and 8th century CE. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. It is listed as a protected national monument by the Archeological Survey of India.

Varaha Cave

Varaha Cave Temple, which is also known as the Varaha Mandapa, is a rock-cut cave temple located at Mamallapuram. It is part of the hill top village, which is 4 kilometres or 2.5 miles to the north of the main Mahabalipuram sites of rathas and the Shore Temple.

It is an example of Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century. The temple is one of the finest testimonial to the ancient Hindu rock-cut cave architecture, out of many such caves, which are also called mandapas. Part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most prominent sculpture in the cave is that of the Hindu god Vishnu in the reincarnated form of a Varaha or boar lifting Bhudevi, the mother earth goddess from the sea. Apart from the Gods, you will also find many mythical figures carved.

Arulmigu Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, which is also called Thirukadalmallai, is at Mahabalipuram. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nilamangai Thayar. The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks.

The temple is open from 6 am to 12 pm and 3pm to 8:30 pm. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held at the temple

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India Seashell Museum

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram, Indian Seashell Museum is famous amongst people of all age groups. The museum is forts of its kind in India and the largest one India. On display are around 40,000 kinds of shells along with details about them. These shells have been collected by K Raja Mohamed, the founder of the museum. The museum also has oysters and snails with information about their sizes and origin. There are car, ship, train, plane, etc. made from shell, which has been put on display. There are four galleries.

The museum also has a shopping centre, called Maya bazaar, where visitors can get their hands on different interesting items that are made from sea products such as oysters and conch shells. The place has beautiful pearl jewelry. There is also a small aquarium in the complex, called Fish World, which houses colorful fishes. There is a seafood restaurant too, Fresh ‘n Live Sea Food. The museum complex is spread in an area one and a half acres of land.

Mahabalipuram Beach

Last but not the least, is the Mahabalipuram Beach. One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful beach is to stay in a beach resort. Thus, while you can enjoy the day exploring the monuments, temples and caves, you can enjoy the spectacular sunrise from the beach. Likewise, you can also take a stroll on beach in the evening. So, staying in one of the many beach resorts around the area makes sense.

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Photos of Mamallapuram, Shore Temple Mahabalipuram and others

Your Guide to Choosing the Right Trip

If you are planning to go for a trip that has both beaches and cultural destinations, then you might go to just Pondicherry or Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram. If you have time, you can extend your trip to Thanjavur and Madurai for the amazing work of art in those temples.

You may check the things to see in Pondicherry , whether they are beaches or other places, and Mahabalipuram or about the Top Temples in India in our blogs.

If you want to discover places across India, you can refer to our tours on Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, Cultural Destinations, Kerala, National Parks and Tiger Reserves, Lakshadweep Islands , Andaman Islands, Goa and Pondicherry, Beaches, Himalayas and Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan

So, that you have the least doubt before you go ahead and contact us to book the trip, you can read about us and check our Facebook and Google Reviews.

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Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry Tour Packages

Trip to the Monuments of Mahabalipuram and the French Town of Pondicherry

An Interesting Cultural Journey Through the Famous and Colorful Temple Towns of South India

A Weekend in Pondicherry: Beaches, Cafes and the Artistic French Town

Places to Visit in including Mahabalipuram Temple and Mahabalipuram Beach

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple

Pancha Rathas

Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna's Penance

Krishna's Butter Ball

Varaha Cave

Arulmigu Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal

India Seashell Museum

Mahabalipuram Beach

Need to Book a Trip to Mahabalipuram and Visit Mahabalipuram Temples and Monuments?

Photos of Mamallapuram, Shore Temple Mahabalipuram and others

Your Guide to Choosing the Right Trip

More Destinations, More Tours

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