Best places to visit in Mahabalipuram, a holiday destination
It is Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's visit to Mahabalipuram in 2019, turned everyone's eye towards the majestic Mahabalipuram. As the news flashed in media about Mr Modi's visit to Mahabalipuram, people are spellbound to see the beauty of Mahabalipuram. Many may be planned to visit Mahabalipuram on that day itself.
Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram or the city of seven Pagodas is one of the famous tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu state in India. Situated in Chengalpattu district, this town is a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake.
This marvellous town named after Pallava king Mamalla and it is founded in the 7th century and it is renovated in the 8th century. Historical monuments namely Arjuna's Penance, Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Lighthouse, Olakanneshvara temple were all together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984
Remains of the history are the top attraction to visit in Mahabalipuram includes Shore temple, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball. India Seashell Museum is one of the must-visit places. Other old monuments are Light House and Olakanneshvara temple.
Shore Temple
Remains of the majestic history, the Shore Temple tells many stories to the visitors. The Shore Temple is South India's oldest stone temple and the granite is intricately cut to build this astonishing temple. The Shore Temple is situated at the seashore of Bay of Bengal, so the name. With marvellous architectural stone carvings, this temple has stood strong over centuries. Dravidian style of architecture is seen in Shore Temple as well as in other monuments in Mahabalipuram.
The Shore Temple was built by Pallava king Narasimha Varma during his reign. In 2004 tsunami struck damaged Shore Temple and other temples to a greater extent. Many are covered in sand and are excavated later and opened for visitors.
Visiting hours at Shore Temple
Shore temple has entry tickets and it remains open from 6.00 A.M. to 6.00 P.M.
Mahabalipuram Beach
Mahabalipuram beach is a spectacular beach shored by the Bay of Bengal. The Shore Temple and other monuments are near this beach. Lots of seashells can be seen on the beach. Roaring waves with golden sand on this beach make a beautiful beach to enjoy with waves.
The windsurfers and swimmers can be seen on this beach. People also enjoy a sunbath on this beach. There are many resorts are there along the beach which serve delicacies of Tamil Nadu and also of other parts of India.
Pancha Rathas at Mahabalipuram
Pancha Rathas located in Mahabalipuram which was built during the Pallava Dynasty. Structures of Rathas in South Indian Dravidian architecture style. The Pancha Rathas are also known as Pandava Rathas which are named as Dhramarja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, and Draupadi Ratha, the Pancha Pandavas and their spouse Draupadi from the great Indian epic Mahabharatha.
The Pancha Rathas are situated near the Shore temple of Mahabalipuram along the Bay of Bengal coast and these are the marvellous architectural monument of the Pallava period. These monuments are monolithic rock-cut sculpture of the shape of Ratha or chariots out of a large block of granite but some parts are unfinished. These Rathas are carved similar to Buddhist Viharas. Why they are sculpted like this is still unknown.
In Pancha Rathas, the largest Ratha is Dharmaraja Ratha and the residing deity is Lord Shiva whereas the second Ratha called Bhima Ratha, here the residing deity is Lord Vishnu and is facing West. Arjuna Ratha facing West is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and the architecture differs from both Dharmaraja Ratha and Bhima Ratha.
Other than Lord Vishnu, many God's statues like Skanda with the elephant as vahana, Shiva with Vrushabha vahana also carved in stone. The fourth Ratha called Nakula Sahadeva Ratha is facing the South which is similar to the Buddhist prayer hall. There is also a monolithic sculpture of an elephant is carved beside this Ratha. The fifth Ratha called Draupadi Ratha who was the spouse of Pandavas. This Ratha is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is the smallest of all Rathas.
Visiting time of Pancha Rathas
6.00 A.M. to 6.0 P.M.
Entry ticket to visit Pancha Rathas
Entry ticket to visit Pancha Rathas includes Shore Temple also.
Krishna's Butter Ball
A gigantic granite boulder is balanced on an inclined stone surface. It is a natural wonder that is situated in Mahabalipuram. Krishna's Butter Ball is also included in the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram which are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that it is in the same place for 1200 years on a naturally eroded hill.
It is nearly spherical in shape and called a butterball. It is a belief that the butterball was fallen down from Krishna's hand. It is surprisingly balancing on that slope and intact, even during 2004 tsunami did not change its position.
Arjuna's Penance
Arjuna's Penance is also called the Descent of Ganges. This is a huge stone which is amazingly carved and reflects artisans expertise. It measures about 30m in length and 15m in height, the stone is intricately carved. The Arjuna's Penance was sculpted during the reign of Pallava Kings in 7th century. Arjuna's Penance is a story from the epic Mahabharatha, how Arjuna practised austerities to please Shiva to get his weapon.
The Sage Bhagiratha tried all possible ways to bring down the Ganges to earth, finally, his strict penance won the heart of Lord Shiva and allowed the Ganges to flow to earth from his hair. Both Arjuna and Bhagiratha stories are depicted on this rock and the rock is called by the name descent of Ganges and Arjuna's Penance. Arjuna's Penance is also included in the monuments of Mahabalipuram designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Light House in Mahabalipuram
India's oldest lighthouse which was built by the Pallava king is situated beside the lighthouse which was built a century ago. As Mahabalipuram was a busy port during the reign of Pallava kings, the lighthouse was built in that period. The oldest tower built by Pallava kings is more than 1000 years old. The new tower is constructed a century ago.
The lighthouse has more than 100 steps and steps are spiral in nature and it is open to the public. The lighthouse is made up of stones and it takes nearly 10 minutes to climb the tower. The steps are spherically placed and they are steep. Today this lighthouse is not operative, but open to the visitors. At the top of the tower, the view of Mahabalipuram is magnificent as well as the view of the roaring waves of the sea.
Entry ticket for the lighthouse
Lighthouse is open to the public and you have to buy an entry ticket.
Olakanneshvara Temple
Olakanneshvara Temple is situated on a hillock near the lighthouse and residing deity is Lord Shiva. The name Olakannesvra referred to the third of the eye of Shiva. It was constructed during the Pallava kings' reign and the top of this also served as a lighthouse before the construction of the lighthouse. The rooftop of this temple has depression and a pot of oil was kept and lit and this flame of light was serving as direction for the ships during Pallava kings period.
In those days Mamallapuram was the busy port for trading between India with China and other South Asian Countries. This temple is also one of the groups of monuments at Mahabalipuram which are designated as a UNESCO world heritage Site since 1984. This temple is an intricately carved stone temple and as it is situated on a hillock. At the top of the hillock, the view of the city and the sea is astonishing.
India Seashell Museum in Mahabalipuram
The India Seashell Museum is at a walkable distance from Pancha Rathas. It is attractive Museum to visit in Mahabalipuram and a diversified variety of seashell collection is the speciality of this museum. More than 40,000 varieties of seashells are preserved for the exhibition.
There is an aquarium called fish world in museum premises, in which many sea creatures are kept which are strange looking. There is a shopping bazaar called Maya bazaar in that pearl jewellery, seashell artifacts, stone-carved artifacts are sold. A seafood restaurant is situated in the museum premises.
Entry ticket for India Seashell Museum
There is an entry ticket for both India Seashell Museum and the aquarium.
Dance Festival in Mahabalipuram
In Mahabalipuram every year a dance festival is arranged. This dance festival is arranged by the Department of Tourism of the Government of Tamil Nadu in Mahabalipuram. Classical Dances are performed here at the seashore which attracts visitors.
What are the special things you can buy in Mahabalipuram?
You can see many stone sculptures shops in Mahabalipuram. Stone sculpted statues of God and Goddesses, lamps, candle and pen holders, animals, birds, and other artifacts are sold in those shops. Stone sculptures are intricately carved by experienced artisans and these are precious things to buy which adds to visitor's artifacts collection. You can see many such shops in Mahabalipuram.
Another interesting thing to buy here is the Tibetan singing bowls which create a soothing unique sound. The sound from these bowls relaxes the mind and emotional blockages are removed.
As Mahabalipuram is a coastal city along the shore of the Bay of Bengal many shops near the beach and in the city sell conches and other artifacts made of shells available in the sea.
Best time to visit Mahabalipuram
The Winter season is the best time to visit, from October to March. You can plan a two day trip to this beautiful place which reminds the history, the unending waves of the ocean mesmerize the visitor.
Beaches in Mahabalipuram are open during the day for visitors. Visitors are not allowed on the beach on late nights.
How to reach Mahabalipuram
By Air :
The nearest airport is in Chennai is 58 km from Mahabalipuram. Chennai is well -connected by air with many Indian cities and other international cities also.
By train :
The nearest Railway station to Mahabalipuram is Chengalpattu which is 29 km from it. Chennai is 58 km from Mahabalipuram and is well-connected with many Indian cities by rail.
By road :
The Tamil Nadu public transport buses and private buses are available from many cities of Tamil Nadu to Mahabalipuram.
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The opinions expressed herein are authors personal opinions and do not represent any one's view in anyway, do not use this information to diagnose or treat your problem without consulting your physician. Remedies here mentioned are used for ages may not be clinically proven.
1 comments:
Click here for commentsVery well articulated post. Your nice description has inspired me to visit Mahabalipuram! Keep it up.
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