Mahabalipuram, once a thriving port in Tamil Nadu, rose to prominence during the Pallava Kingdom's heyday, from the 4th to the 9th centuries. Mahabalipuram, with its many architectural marvels, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The locations to see in Mahabalipuram will provide you with an amazing sense of delight, from ancient temples to the remains of age-old shrines. This beach town is also a treasure trove for archaeologists, with a great number of exquisite stone carvings carved out of uncut rocks. Such monuments are strewn around the site, eliciting awe from visitors who visit practically all year. Mahabalipuram is a great weekend escape due to its strategic location along India's east coast and accessibility to major towns in South India.

Early History of Mahabalipuram

According to tradition, Prince Hiranyakasipu (Asura and monarch of the Daityas) was opposed to Lord Vishnu's worship. His son, Prahlada (a mahajana), on the other hand, was a great devotee of Vishnu. The Prince exiled his son before eventually allowing him to return home. When Prahlada returned, he told Hiranyakasipu that Vishnu was everywhere. As a result of the Prince's kick to a pillar, Vishnu appeared as a man with a lion's head and killed Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada ascended to the throne, and his grandson Bali (a Daitya monarch mentioned in Hindu scriptures) built Mahabalipuram on this sacred place.

Things to do when in Mahabalipuram

• Experience Beach Camping with Waterfall Trek - Take a boat journey to the Eastern Ghats trek's base. The hill station is well-known for its numerous waterfalls. Nagalapuram is referred to as the "Queen of Waterfalls." At Nagalapuram Lake, you can spend the night camping. A guided hike from the lake takes you uphill through the jungle and across steep ridges to four gushing waterfalls, one of which even allows you to slide down it.
• Make your move in the low tides - If you haven’t ventured to try surfing before then this is the best moment to do it as it is one of the interesting activities to do in Mahabalipuram. Because of the low tides, this is the greatest area to go surfing even if you've never done it before. So don't hesitate to go out and participate in this activity in Mahabalipuram's seas. You can also go windsurfing or kitesurfing in addition to this activity.
• Step into the shoes of a fisherman - Taking a fishing excursion and experiencing the life of a fisherman is one of the more unusual things to do in Mahabalipuram. For two hours, you get to put yourself in the shoes of a fisherman and live his life. The activity offers information on how and where fishing is done. If you're going on a family vacation, you should consider going on a fishing expedition, which is one of the most popular things to do in Mahabalipuram.
• Attend Local Fairs and Festivals - Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is the most important festival annually in Mahabalipuram. This event is conducted every year between December and January and attracts experts from all across the country. The Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu, is in charge of organizing the event. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali are among the old-style dances performed against the backdrop of Pallava shake figures at the festivity.

Places to visit in Mahabalipuram

• Shore Temple - The Shore Temple is one of Mahabalipuram's most well-known attractions. The temple is known as the Shore Temple since it is positioned right next to the Bay of Bengal's coast and is the town's most popular attraction. Under the patronage of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava Dynasty, the temple complex was constructed between 700 and 728 AD. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are honored in the shrine.
• Descent of the Ganges - The Descent of the Ganges is one of Mahabalipuram's most prominent tourist attractions, as it is a large portion of the murals on the town's monuments. It's one of the world's most massive open-air rock reliefs. This massive relief depicts a scene from the Mahabharata, a renowned Hindu epic. In the style of frescos on the walls, a full legendary narrative is depicted.
• Mahabalipuram Beach - Mahabalipuram Beach, also known as Mamallapuram by locals, is located 58 kilometers from Chennai, Tamil Nadu's capital. The beach, which is located on the Bay of Bengal's shore, features several visually appealing rock-cut sculptures. Caves, gigantic rathas, chariots, and temples are other popular tourist attractions. The beach in Mahabalipuram is an excellent spot to unwind and take a break from the daily grind of deadlines and work pressure.
• Five Rathas - The Panch Rathas, commonly known as the Five Rathas, are a magnificent group of rock temples. They are remarkable instances of Dravidian style architecture's progression. These temples resemble Buddhist shrines and monasteries and are built in the shape of pagodas. The rathas are linked to the Mahabharata, a renowned Indian epic. Draupadi's Ratha is the first ratha to be found near the entrance gate.
• Alamparai Fort - Because this long-forgotten trading post is rarely mentioned, many people are unaware of its significance. In reality, the fort was named one of the twenty lesser-known tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu by The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation at the International Tourism Fair in Berlin (TTDC). The vista from the Alamparai fort is guaranteed to steal your breath away, regardless of its current state.
• Tiger Caves - Tigers Caves, located on the Bay of Bengal's shore, has long been a popular relaxation spot for locals following a five-kilometer hike from Mahabalipuram to this lovely place outside of town. The caverns' name has nothing to do with whether or not there are any real tigers inside. The caverns were given their name because of the crown of 11 tiger-like heads that were sculpted all around the entrance.
• Covelong Beach - Covelong Beach is one of nature's most stunning treasures that the people have yet to appreciate. The beach sees a lot of people every day because of its convenient position. People from both Chennai and Mahabalipuram make up the crowd. Aside from different water sports like surfing, jet skiing, and boating, the beach's area is also known for fishing. It is even the principal source of income for the locals.

What to eat in Mahabalipuram?

Tourists would enjoy dining out in Mahabalipuram's charming town because there are numerous eateries serving delectable cuisines to tantalise their taste buds. The town's restaurants provide a wide range of cuisines, from hot and fried seafood to traditional South Indian dishes. The Seashore Restaurant is a fantastic spot to eat if you want to experience excellent seafood and spicy tiger prawns. The Moonrakers is also a popular hangout for tourists who want to sample some delectable seafood. But don't worry if you're a strict vegetarian; Mamallapuram Bhavan in Mahabalipuram also serves excellent vegetarian fare.

Things to buy in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram marketplaces are known for its stone and hardwood items, although soapstones and granite sculptures are also available. The majority of these sculptures are of Gods and Goddesses depicting scenes from ordinary life. If you're going shopping in Mahabalipuram, don't forget to bring some seashells. In Mahabalipuram markets, seashell-based decorative products and jewelry are also popular. If tourists are looking for unusual showpieces, shopping in Mahabalipuram will be quite thrilling. Visit the Mount Road markets in Mahabalipuram or Poompuhar if you are looking for handicrafts. Mahabalipuram's shops sell exclusive South Indian handicrafts.

How to reach? 

• By Air - The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is Chennai International Airport, which is around 55 kilometers away. Apart from being well-connected to the rest of the country by a variety of domestic carriers, Chennai airport is also well-connected globally. Taxis and buses to Mahabalipuram are readily available from the airport.
• By Rail - While Chennai is the closest railhead for Mahabalipuram once again, the seaside town is also well-connected by train to the rest of the major towns, including Madurai, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, and even Kochi. Trains to Mahabalipuram run frequently from the cities listed above, and tickets may be purchased simply.
• By Road - A road trip to Mahabalipuram from a variety of places in south India is also an option if you enjoy long travels. Buses from Chennai, Pondicherry, Madurai, and Coimbatore run frequently and are easily accessible.