Things To Do Mahabalipuram

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Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram

Alamparai Fort

Many do not know the significance of the captivating fort as this long forgotten trading post is spoken about quite infrequently. In fact, the fort was listed in the International Tourism Fair in Berlin as one of the twenty lesser known tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu by The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). No matter what the present condition of the Alamparai fort is, the view is sure to take your breath away. As you walk across the enthralling fort, you'll find surprising traces of life in the form of shrubs, creepers, bushes and trees even on the walls. It almost looks like they are supporting those parts of the structure and help them stand strong even today. The Alamparai Fort exudes a gloomy yet attractive vibe that is irresistible for many. Some may condemn the state of the fort, and some may still find beauty in its existence. The enchanting location of the fort has been used for many outdoor advertisement and movie shootings including a Tamil movie named Pithamagan, starring Suriya and Vikram, famous actors in Tollywood. References to this beautiful location and the trading post are also made in Sangam Literature, Cirupanarruppatai. Alamparai served as a sea port in ancient times. It was also known as Alamparva and Alampuravi. The fort was constructed during the rule of the Mughals extending from 1736 CE to 1740 CE. It was first under the control of the Nawab of Arcot Doste Ali Khan. However, it was later given to the French. After the Carnatic war had taken place, French lost to the British which is how the British began exercising direct control over the fort and then the fort got demolished in 1760. Before the war, the fort was ruled by Nawab Doste Ali Khan in 1750, and for the services provided by the French commander Duplex to Subedar Muzarfarzang, the fort was handed over to them. Read More

Arjuna's Penance

The Arjuna's Penance is an enormous rock-cut relief, one of the largest in the whole world, situated in Mahabalipuram of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is also known by the name 'Descent of the Ganges' because the structure depicts either or both of these two significant and symbolic events of Hindu mythology; thus making this attraction spot a favourite among historians, scholars, academics as well as tourists who are enthusiastic about the cultural past of India. Read More

The Crocodile Bank is located 14 kilometers from Mahabalipuram. It was established by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in 1976. It holds a varied species of Indian and African alligators and crocodiles. They are kept in open pools that are made to resemble their natural habitat. This Crocodile Conservation Center is the most popular site to visit at Crocodile Bank. A snake farm is also located at this site. Anti-venom is produced here in laboratries. The process of extracting the snake venom is a popular tourist attraction, and it allows the Irulas, the snake catcher's tribe, to make a living. Read More

Descent of the Ganges is a monument in Mahabalipuram dedicated to the legend of Goddess Ganga's descent to Earth. There is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders that relate the famous legend of Bhagirath doing penance and leading the Goddess onto the earth. Some historians also believe that the carving are of Arjuna's penance instead to receive Pasupatha Astra to defeat the Kauravas.

The Five Rathas, also known as Panch Rathas, is a exemplary set of rock temples. They are excellent examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. These temples are built in the same shape as pagodas, and greatly resemble Buddhist shrines and monasteries. The rathas are associated with the great epic Mahabharata. The first ratha that is located right by the entrance gate is Draupadi's Ratha. It is shaped like a hut and is dedicated to the goddess Durga. Next comes Arjuna's Rath. This one has a small portico and carved pillar stones and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are no carvings inside this temple, but many are on the outside. Directly in front of Arjuna's Rath is the Nakula Sahadev Rath. This ratha has some huge elephant sculptures included that are a huge draw for the Five Rathas. It is dedicated to the God of Rain, Lord Indra. The Bhima Rath is huge. It measures 42 ft in length, 24ft in width, and 25ft in height. The pillars there do contain lion carvings even though the ratha as a whole is incomplete. The largest of the Five Rathas is the Dharamraja Yudhistar's Rath. This rath is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a gr Read More

A fine example of the of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture dating back to the late seventh century, the Ganesh Rath was built during the reign of Mahendravarman I. Initially, it was dedicated to Lord Shiva and housed a Shivalinga in the complex, but later on the Linga was removed, and now, Lord Ganesh is worshiped here.

The newly built sea shell museum of Mahabalipuram is one of its kind in the country and the largest one in Asia. It is basically a repository of various kinds of sea shell kept with an aim to educate its visitors. There over over 40,000 different specimens of rare and unique shell in the place.

Kovalam Beach, Chennai

Kovalam beach, located in the Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu, India, is a popular tourist destination known for its safe, clean, and hygienic environment with a range of facilities and activities to enjoy. The beach was earlier known as Covelong beach and is situated in a small fishing village called Covelong in the Kanchipuram district, about 36 km away from Chennai. The beach has recently received the prestigious Blue Flag certification, which is awarded based on certain criteria such as water quality, safety, environmental education, and management. Kovalam beach met 33 criteria to receive the certification, including having safe bathing areas under the watchful eyes of trained lifeguards, lifeguard towers and a control room, trained paramedical staff to provide first aid, and CCTV coverage of the beach area. Additionally, the beach is accessible to differently-abled individuals, with exclusive toilets and parking space for their use.The Beach Management Committee (BMC) has been constituted to monitor and supervise the BEAMS program at Kovalam beach, and the periodical monitoring of the bathing water quality testing is conducted by NCSCM, MoEF&CC, GoI. The beach offers visitors various facilities, including a safe swimming zone, shower and change area, drinking water facility, outdoor fitness equipment, children's play area, reclining bamboo lounger chairs, hammocks, sit-out umbrellas, toilet blocks, bamboo-made litter bins, and an amphibious wheelchair for differently-abled individuals who can swim in the bathing zone safely. Read More

Krishna Cave Temple is an open-air relief dedicated to the might of Lord Krishna. It was later enclosed within a mandap during Vijyanagar empire in 16th century. Various carvings in the monument depict the story of the Lord lifting mount Govardhan and of his frolicking with the milk maids. It is said to be the most poetic depiction of the famous legend.

Krishna's Butter Ball

Krishna's butterball is a gigantic granite Boulder measuring 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighs over 250 tons. This strange object in the town of Mahabalipuram is said to be in the same position since over 1200 years. At one point in its history, seven elephants were employed to move it, but to no avail. It is believed that the rock is a piece of stolen butter dropped by God.