10 Most Popular Attractions to See in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram’s tales are sculptured in novels and Upanishads, is a small and eye-catching town. Situated between the Great Salt Lake and the Bay of Bengal attracts a huge number of pilgrims and tourists due to its soothing sunsets and historical temples. Every exotic place in Mahabalipuram depicts a tale that is thousands of years old, and if you are planning to visit South India, make sure to keep Mahabalipuram on your bucket list.

You would be highly thankful for every moment that you would spend here admiring the art, architecture, and culture of a small town. Various tourist attractions would keep you busy sightseeing. Ensure to visit some most popular places in Mahabalipuram during your itinerary.

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Learn about the History of Mahabalipuram:

Situated in the Kancheepuram district, Mahabalipuram serves as one of the oldest cities in India and is well-known for its certain ancient temples and stone-carved monuments. Lies in Tamil Nadu is a port town in the 1st century that was ruled by the Pallava dynasty.

The place’s various historical monuments were designed by Pallava’s dynasty kings and still boast of its beauty. Moreover, the group of various historical monuments has been registered as a UNESCO world heritage site that captures attractions from across the world. Let’s quickly dive into the list of various places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Checkout the 10 Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram:

1. India Seashell Museum

Experience gorgeous sea elements and make your Mahabalipuram itinerary worthwhile and exciting. India seashell museum is home to conch, seashells, and various other natural substances that are derived from the sea.

The museum also includes a huge and stunning aquarium that owns varying types of sea creatures such as starfishes, fishes, sharks, and many others. Spend your two to three hours exploring this beautiful place, but make sure to hire a guide who could guide you about the museum.

Visiting Time – 8 am to 8 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 130.

2. Shore Temple

Shore temple – beautifully carved architecture and is the only surviving temple among the seven pagodas. It was manufactured of granite stones and depicts a Dravidian architectural style and now is not a place of worship. To take a view of this temple, you require to cruise in the ocean as the temple is an underwater temple and these temples hold historical significance for various locals.

As the temple lies in the Bay of Bengal, it comes over the surface when the water level goes down. Shore temple is now under UNESCO world heritage site and Lord Vishnu’s statue in a resting posture is a major tourist attraction.

Visiting Time – 6 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 10 for children above 15 years, and for foreigners the entry fee is INR 340.

3. Five Rathas

Five Rathas depict significance to Hindu epic and are the most famous historical place that you should not miss. The famous tourist attraction area links back to the era of the great Indian epic Mahabharata and the five Pandavas that have a special role in Hinduism.

Explore the true Dravidian architecture along with a tour around chariots and Rathas. Witness yourself into the beautiful bygone era with the sight of huge elephant structures. A must place to visit for all architecture lovers and history lovers.

Visiting Time – 6 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 10 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners.

4. Arjuna’s Penance

Arjuna’s Penance is considered to be one of the largest open rock-cut reliefs in the entire world that represents how Arjuna performs various rituals to grab superpowers from Lord Shiva. Also popularly known as “Descent of the Ganges” due to its unique architecture that resembles two symbolic and eminent events in Hindu mythology.

An ideal place for scholars, historians, tourists, and academics who are fond of Tamilian architecture. It is another UNESCO world heritage site and is famous for its unique form of sculpture and carving that offers its distinct shape.

Visiting Time – 6 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 10 for Indians, INR 250 for foreigners, and INR 25 for videographers.

5. Krishna’s Butterball

A very interesting rock formation that defies gravity that attracts lots of tourists towards it, as the rock position is surprising and has left various scientists awestruck. The huge rock stands on a slope with less surface contact and could roll down from the slope at any time, but this has not happened yet.

Nowadays, the destination has become a spot for taking selfies and the most famous attraction point in Mahabalipuram. Hence, locals believe the rock to be the Stone of the Sky God and various other beliefs.

Visiting Time – 6 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 40 for Indians and INR 600 for foreigners.

6. Tiger Cave

Tiger cave is a rock-cut temple and an ideal place for history lovers as it possesses stunning architectural design along with great historical significance. The structure is like a mandap and the primary deity in tiger caves is Goddess Durga the cave includes 11 heads of tigers that are carved uniquely on the cave’s walls.

However, now the place is a famous picnic spot under plenty of shade along with tender coconuts that make your picnic more refreshing.

Visiting Time – 6 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – NIL.

7. Mahabalipuram Beach

The well-known Mahabalipuram Beach, which the locals also refer to as Mamallapuram, is one of the town’s top tourist attractions and is situated on the Bay of Bengal. You’re bound to fall in love with its numerous notable rock sculptures!

This beach draws hundreds of pilgrims, enthusiasts of architecture, and history nerds each month, and it enchants them with its magnificent caves, enormous rathas, chariots, and temples. In addition to touring the unusual Mahabalipuram temples and caves, you should visit this beach to unwind and spend time with your loved ones.

Visiting Time – Visit anytime.
Entry Fees – NIL.

8. Alamparai Fort

This city’s fascinating fort is a key historical location. It resembles a long-gone trading post and has stunning and imposing architecture. The views from its summit will leave you speechless. Even if it’s not in ideal shape anymore, walking around this abandoned but fascinating fort will make you feel as though you’ve traveled back in time.

It is a beautiful example of an ancient building that has let nature take over and integrated nicely with the surrounding flora because of the abundance of shrubs, creepers, bushes, and trees in this area.

Visiting Time – 8 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees – NIL.

9. Crocodile Bank

Don’t forget to stop by the thrilling Crocodile Bank, which is located around 14 miles from the main city of Mahabalipuram. This conservation facility, founded by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in 1976, is home to a variety of alligator, crocodile, and snake species from Africa and India.

Here in these open pools that have been created to simulate their native habitat, you may see these fearsome creatures. The snake farm close to this facility features a lab where antivenom is made, providing a source of income for the indigenous tribes who gather snakes.

Visiting Time – 9 am to 5 pm.
Entry Fees – INR 35.

10. Covelong Beach

The famed Covelong Beach, a well-known tourist destination on the Bay of Bengal coast, is situated in Covelong Village a few kilometers outside of Mahabalipuram. One of the greatest beaches near Chennai for nature enthusiasts, beachgoers, and couples looking to spend quality time together among its silver sands, palm palms, and crashing waves is this beautiful refuge.

This beach, which was formerly embroiled in protracted political disputes, is today one of the trendiest places to go for a picnic close to Chennai. The fact that this village is home to India’s first surfing school makes it one of the most fascinating attractions in Mahabalipuram.

Visiting Time – Sunrise to sunset.
Entry Fees – NIL.

Check More About Tamil Nadu:

10 Most Popular Attractions to See in Mahabalipuram

Learn about the History of Mahabalipuram: