Mahabalipuram Places to Visit – UNESCO World Heritage Site : Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a famous city in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, which is established as a major tourist destination throughout the world due to its more than a thousand years old Hindu temples. These temples of Mahabalipuram, built in the seventh and eighth centuries, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mahabalipuram has been a famous port. Situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal in the Eastern Ghats, this city is an attraction for tourists throughout the year.
Why Name – Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is named after King Bali. The story of King Bali and the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu is also very famous. King Bali had donated three steps of land to the Vamana form of Lord Vishnu. Vaman took the earth in one step and the sky in the second step and asked King Bali where to put the third step. Then King Bali asked him to place the third step on his head.
History- Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram was renamed as Mamallapuram during the reign of King Narasimhavarman. Its another old name is Thirukadalmallai. The city was named Mamallapuram after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. King Narasimhavarman was called Mamalla.
These ancient temples of Mahabalipuram were built in the seventh-eighth century during the rule of Pallava dynasty. These temples were built using rock-cut technique. In rock cut technique, shapes are carved on the rock at its original place.
The history of the city of Mahabalipuram is actually older than the Pallava dynasty of the seventh century. This city was first mentioned by Greek travelers of the first century. This city is also mentioned by Mark Polo. Mark Polo named it the Seven Pagodas.
Neolithic/Neolithic era urns and jars have also been excavated in Mahabalipuram. The discovery of Chinese and Roman coins of the fourth century here also shows that in history this city was a main port through which trading ships and travelers from the East and the West used to pass.
The kings of Pallava dynasty had built these huge temples of Mahabalipuram. In these temples, mythological events and stories related to Hindu religion have been carved on the rocks. After the Pallava dynasty, the city was ruled by the Chola dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Nayak dynasty of Madurai.
Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
Shor Temple – Mahabalipuram
One of the oldest temples in South India, the Shore Temple was built in the eighth century. It is also said that this temple was established by Maharaja Bali which was prepared in this form by King Narsinghvarman. This temple made of granite is built on 5 floors. This is a group of temples in which 3 temples are built on the same platform. Among these, there is one temple of Lord Vishnu and two temples of Lord Shiva. Beautiful sculptures can be seen on the walls inside and outside the temple. It is believed that this is the first temple built using rock cut technique.
This temple is considered to be one of the seven pagodas. Pagoda means a high tower. Konark Sun Temple is also considered one of the seven pagodas. These seven pagodas were seven temples built on the eastern seaboard of India which served as a guide for sea travelers.
Ganesh Rath – Mahabalipuram
The Ganesha chariot is one of the ten rock-carved chariots here. This structure was built during the time of King Mahendravarman, son of King Narsinghvarman. This structure is also a wonderful example of art made with rock cut technique.
Pandava’s Rath – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
There are 5 chariots in this structure which are called Pandava Rathas. These chariots are also named after the five Pandavas. Yudhishthir was called Dharmaraja and one of his chariots is known as Dharmaraja Rath. The second chariot is called Bhimraj Rath after the name of Bhima. Arjuna chariot is named after Arjun and Nakul-Sahadeva chariot is named after Nakul-Sahadeva. The fifth chariot is called Draupadi Rath after the name of Draupadi. The five chariots are carved on a huge rock and one would be surprised to think that all of them were made by hands.
Arjun’s Penance – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
This structure is described in two ways. According to one opinion, it depicts the penance of Arjuna. Arjun had performed penance from Lord Shiva and obtained Pashupati weapon from him and this incident of Mahabharata is shown in this structure.
According to the second opinion, it shows the descent of Ganga on earth. Statues of Nagraj and Nagkanya are carved in it. In this, Bhagiratha is shown doing penance.
Krishna Mandap – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
Krishna Mandap is a salt structure near the Ganga descent. This structure is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is believed that earlier it was an open courtyard on which a roof was later constructed. Mainly the incident of lifting Govardhan mountain by Krishna has been carved here. Apart from this, the incident of Krishna’s birth, Krishna grazing cows and Krishna playing with Gopis are also shown.
Varah Temple – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
This temple is dedicated to the Varaha form of Lord Vishnu. This temple is also a great example of rock cut technology. In this temple, along with Varaha, statues of Vaman and Gajalakshmi can also be seen carved.
Krishna’s Butter Ball – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
This is a rock which is called Krishna’s Butter Ball. This rock is on a slope and is balanced at an inclination of 45 degrees. Looking at it, it seems that how this rock is stuck in this position on such a slope. It is believed that no one has balanced this rock in this way, rather it rests naturally in this position.
Mahishasurmardini Cave – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
The name Mahishasuramardini is said to be for Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga had killed a demon named Mahishasura and since then she got this name. Basically this cave is a temple inside which idols of Shiva, Parvati and their son Skanda have been made. Skanda is called Kartikeya in North India.
The incident of killing Mahishasura has been carved as an artwork on a wall inside the temple. It is said that this temple was completely built from inside while the work of its outer walls was still left.
Apart from these main cave temples and chariots, there are some other structures such as the Ramanuja Temple, Koneri Temple and the Five Pandava Pavilions.
Thirukadalmallai Temple – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
Thirukadalmallai temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple was built by the Pallavas and later the Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire and Nayak kings of Madurai also built this temple. This temple is near Ganga Avtarana Rock and is a special example of Dravidian architecture.
Tiger Caves – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
Tiger Caves are at some distance from Mahabalipuram city. Here artefacts like tiger’s head have been carved in the caves. These caves were also built during the rule of Pallava dynasty. According to some historians, these caves were built long before the Pallava dynasty.
Beaches – Mahabalipuram Places to Visit
Tourists like the clean beach of Mahabalipuram very much. By coming here you can also enjoy some water sports in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.
How to reach – Mahabalipuram
By Flight to Mahabalipuram
Chennai Airport is the nearest to Mahabalipuram. The distance from Chennai to Mahabalipuram is approximately 50 kilometers. Flights or connecting flights are available for Chennai Airport from all the airports of the country. Once you reach Chennai Airport, you can reach Mahabalipuram by bus or taxi, by road or even by train.
By Train to Mahabalipuram
To reach Mahabalipuram by train, you can reach Chengalpattu by train. It is a junction and is connected to other stations in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The distance from Chengalpattu to Mahabalipuram is 30 kilometers. For this you can travel by taxi or bus.
By Road
Mahabalipuram is well connected by road network and coastal drive can also be experienced in this journey. You can come here by bus. For this, both AC and non-AC bus options will be available. If you are traveling by your car then you can reach here very comfortably.
Roaming – Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is a small town and to travel locally you can go by auto rickshaw. In Mahabalipuram, one can buy stone carved sculptures and wooden carved artefacts. Mahabalipuram is a famous tourist place and many veg and non-veg options will be available to eat here.
Mahabalipuram is a small town and one day is enough to see the tourist places here. If you want to come here and stay for 1-2 days, then booking for many hotels can be done online. These hotels are available for every budget.
Best time to visit – Mahabalipuram
It is very hot in Mahabalipuram, hence the best time to visit here is in the winter season from October to March. The sun is often strong in the afternoon, so it is better to get up early in the morning and leave.
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