15 Beautiful Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram: Best Tourist Places in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram's fame comes from its slew of temples. The cluster of temples famously called Shore Temples is an intriguing place to visit in Mahabalipuram. Interestingly, there are many temples submerged underwater too close to Mahabalipuram that you can also visit. The temples hold some historical significance that would pique your excitement. The temples were constructed back in the 8th century AD by the Pallava dynasty.

History buffs who are also intrigued by the cultural relevance and folklores would find the Tiger Caves amusing. It is an architectural structure that is more or less shaped like a mandapam. The structure is constructed as a shrine to Goddess Durga and is one of the top tourist places to visit near Mahabalipuram. There are also elusive carvings of heads of tigers that brought forth the name.

If you are fascinated by the varied shapes and sizes of seashells and conch, you should most certainly add India Seashell Museum as one of the tourist places to visit in Mahabalipuram. The museum also has an exquisite aquarium attached which has varied species from the marine ecosystem such as sharks, fish, etc. A nominal tariff would be charged so keep some change on you.

One of the most famous and important places to visit in Mahabalipuram is the Arjuna's Penance. For centuries now, the structure has remained intact and has attracted scholars, historians and academics to the finesse of the Tamilian architecture. In fact, it is also protected by the UNESCO and the ASI as a prominent historical site.

Are you a fan of the reptiles? The coast of Tamil Nadu is famous for housing crocodiles and other such reptiles. The Crocodile Bank is more like a conservation centre that was established by Romulus Whitaker, a herpetologist back in 1976. You can take a tour of the reserve and be amazed by the variety of reptile species that range from Indian alligators to crocodiles and snakes.

For those who wish to soak in the true Dravidian-style architecture, you would be amazed by the Five Rathas which counts as one of the most historical places to visit in Mahabalipuram. The place touches upon the epic Mahabharata and the five Pandavas. You will get to see glimpses of Rathas (chariots) and a lot of interesting structures that would take you back in time.

The locals call it Mamallapuram but the famous city of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu is also home to the alluring Mahabalipuram Beach. You would be soothed by the salty breeze that comes from the Bay of Bengal. There are also many exquisite rock-cut sculptures that you can find by the beach. Looking to get those Instagram-worthy snaps? Well, the Mahabalipuram beach would give you the ideal background!

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As a coastal city, unsurprisingly, some of the famous tourist attractions to visit in Mahabalipuram are the beaches. One such favourite beach which is recognised for its fancy palm trees and silver sands is the Covelong Beach. It is recognised as one of the best beaches that can be found in Mahablipuram and around Chennai! All the beach bums out there can also take a short course on surfing.

When you're in South of India, you should not be surprised by the plethora of temples prevalent in the region. There are many temples in Mahabalipuram too which also includes the gorgeous Ganesh Ratha Temple. Built back in the 7th century, the temple also celebrates Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple premise once had a Shiva Ling but it was later removed. You can perhaps plan to visit this place in Mahabalipuram and find out the story behind it!

A trip to Mahabalipuram incomplete without a visit to the Mamallapuram Lighthouse. With views of the city and the waters, it makes for quite an experience. The highlight of the lighthouse is how you are allowed to hike up the stairs and get to the top of the tower and soak in the panoramic view. You should definitely add this to your list of tourist places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Krishna's Butterball holds quite a fascinating story that would most definitely get your attention. Located very close to the Five Rathas, it is basically a massive boulder. Legend believes that King Narasimhavarman tried to move the massive boulder but was unable to as it was quite heavy. This led the locals to call the boulder as the Stone of Sky God. Meanwhile, others consider the boulder to be a butterball that was snatched by Lord Krishna from his mother.

Although many do prefer taking a break from the city hustle and visiting Mahabalipuram, they still don't know much about the Alamparai Fort. Perched right by the Bay of Bengal, the redstoned structure plays an important role in safeguarding the city and is also a known historical site. Sadly, you cannot walk around the fort due to its dilapidated condition, it is considered to be one of the best attractions of Mahabalipuram.

Recorded to be a structure of the 7th century, the Mahishasura Mardini Cave Temple is a fascinating piece of architecture with its elegant aesthetics. The cave has some lovely carvings of deities from the Hindu mythology. Further, there is the beautiful idol of Lord Durga seated on her lion as she slays the feared demon Mahishasur. What makes it a must-visit is the location which is perched atop a hill.

Recognised in the list of World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO is the remarkable Krishna Cave Temple. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the open-air relic is known to belong to the 7th century architecture. The craftsmanship of the bygone era interspersed with the carvings of Lord Krishna lifting the massive Govardhan Parvat is a highlight that makes this one of the best places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Trimurti caves is dedicated to the three gods of the Hindu mythology, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The caves have pillared mandapams and exquisite carvings on the walls of the caves. Further, you can also find shrines of many gods, including Goddess Durga.

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