Mahabalipuram - Tamil NaduMahabalipuram – The City of Open Air Museum  It is one of the important places to visit in Kanchipuram district. Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast, which faces the Bay of Bengal. It is located at about 70 Km from Chennai It was a flourishing port town during the time of Pallavas. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art. The speciality about Mahabalipuram is the rock - cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs, which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mamallapuram is referred as an ‘open-air museum’. Guide service – We need to send Guides (English, French, German, Italy and Spanish) from Chennai based on their availability. Places to visitThe Caves - There are nine cave temples, which are cut in the rocks in Mamallapuram. Among some of the most favored Mahabalipuram tourist attractions, the caves occupy an important place. Featuring two incarnations of Vishnu that are Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf), Varaha cave is a rock-cut Mandapam (hall). The Shore temples | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Five RathasFive Rathas – These are also called as Pancha Pandava Rathas. These are excellent examples of Dravidian architecture. These Rathas are associated with the great Epic Mahabharata. Arjuna’s PenanceArjuna’s Penance - It is an enormous bas-relief done up with detailed carvings and include a family of elephants and monkeys. This carving on the rock wall is the largest Bas-relief in the world. The rock is in the shape of a whale and it faces the sea. Krishna's Butterball:Krishna's Butterball - It is a gigantic natural rock balanced on a hillside & seems to roll down any moment. Tiger CaveTiger Cave – It is 4 Kms north of the main monument complex. It was built as an open-air theatre, where cultural programmes were held during the Pallava period. The sculpture of the tigers at the entrance gives it the name of Tiger Caves. Krishna MandapamKrishna Mandapam - This is the biggest among the Mandapams and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The sculptures inside the Mandapam picturize the myth of Lord Krishna. DakshinaChitraDakshinaChitra – Madras Crafts Foundation found Dakshinachitra for the promotion and preservation of the culture of the diverse people of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Simply we can say it is the “Picture of South”. It is worth visiting and one can understand about many aspects of South Indian lifestyle and culture. It is located on the East Coast Road at Muttukadu – 21 kms South of Chennai
Crocodile farmCrocodile farm - The bank extends over an area of 3.2 hectares and provides refuge to the different species of reptiles. Now more than 2400 reptiles of varied species found here. There is also a Tribal society, which runs a snake venom extraction centre.
MuttukaduMuttukadu - This is an ideal picnic spot. It is 25 Km from Mahabalipuram. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has positioned a boathouse,where the tourists can enjoy boat ride Excursion from MahabalipuramThirukkalukundram: This temple is located 17 kms from Mahabalipuram enroute Kanchipuram. This tourist spot has a small Shiva temple situated on the top of the Vedagiri hill, which is 160m high. Just before noon everyday, two White kites stop at the temple and are fed by the temple priests. Legend has it that these two birds are actually saints who daily make a stop to rest at the temple on their flight between Varanasi and Rameswaram. There is also a larger Shiva Temple in the town below. At the Southeast end of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to have curative powers. Once every 12 years, a conch is discovered in this tank and thousands of devotees flock to bathe in the tank at this auspicious time. A collection of the conches is displayed in the larger Shiva Temple.
Lord Murugan Temple – Thiruporur: It is located in Thiruporur, 16 Kms away. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Murugan is located here. The temple contains several inscriptions. Vedanthangal:Situated 65 Kms away from Mahabalipuram and 60 Kms from Kanchipuram It is one of the major water bird sanctuaries in India. Best timing to visit this place is morning 0500 hrs to 0800 hrs and evening 0330 hrs to 0700 hrs (October to March). Fairs & Festivals Dance Festival – Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is being organized by the Tamilnadu Tourism for four weeks from early January. One can enjoy outstanding performances of Indian Classical dance forms like Bharathanattiyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, odyssey and folk dances. Entry – Chargeable Masi Magam – It will be held in the month of February/March and on the full moon day (Tamil Month Masi). People believe that after bathing in the sea, offering prayer in the Perumal temple, will bring good things in life. Floating festival also will be held on a full moon date. Pongal festival – a harvest festival; Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) is celebrating this festival in a near by village with cultural programmes.
Road: Railways: Airways: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
