Seaside town south of Chennai with Pallava-era rock-cut temples, carved reliefs and the Shore Temple.
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Mahabalipuram holds a UNESCO-listed group of 7th and 8th century Pallava monuments, from the seafront Shore Temple to monolithic rathas and a huge open-air relief. It is an easy trip from Chennai on the East Coast Road and suits history lovers, photographers and families who want a relaxed beach base with plenty to see on foot.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
The Shore Temple by the seaArjuna Ratha at the Pancha RathasKrishna Mandapa rock-cut hall
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
November to February
The most comfortable months, dry and cooler, with the dance festival held around December and January.
March to June
Hot and humid, with temperatures that can pass 40 C; visit monuments early or late in the day.
September to December
Monsoon rain, light to heavy, which can disrupt outdoor sightseeing and road travel.
Sights and activities
1
Shore Temple
An 8th-century Pallava stone temple facing the Bay of Bengal, with shrines to Shiva and a reclining Vishnu. A stone wall now shields it from the sea.
Distance
In town, by the sea
Entry
Covered by the combined monument ticket: about 40 rupees for Indians at the counter (35 online), 600 to 650 for foreigners, free under 15
A rock-cut cave shrine with a carved panel of the goddess fighting the buffalo demon, and steps up to the hilltop with the old Olakkannesvara temple and an 1887 lighthouse.
Distance
On the hill in the town centre
Entry
Cave on the combined ticket; lighthouse climb has a small separate fee of about 10 to 25 rupees
Timings
Cave 6 am to 6 pm; lighthouse roughly 10 am to 5:30 pm with a lunch break
State buses run from Chennai's Koyambedu bus terminus (route 588) and from Thiruvanmiyur along the East Coast Road; buses also link the town with Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Puducherry.
By train
There is no station in town. Chengalpattu Junction is about 22 to 29 km away by road, and Chennai's main stations are about 60 km away.
By air
Chennai International Airport is about 50 to 52 km away, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by taxi.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the town itself, close to the beach and the monuments, or at one of the resorts along the East Coast Road just north of town.
Getting around
The main monuments sit close together and are easy to see on foot.
Bicycles can be hired for about 150 to 250 rupees a day.
Scooters rent for about 450 to 600 rupees a day, fuel extra.
Auto-rickshaw trips within town cost about 100 to 200 rupees.
For Tiger Cave, the Crocodile Bank or DakshinaChitra, take an auto, an ECR bus or a hired car.
On the way
Worth a stop on the drive from Chennai, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.
1
Cholamandal Artists' Village
Artists' cooperative founded in 1966 at Injambakkam on the East Coast Road, with galleries and outdoor sculpture.
Distance
About 20 km from Chennai, 35 km before Mahabalipuram
Beach Road restaurants serve fresh seafood, while simple eateries in town serve Tamil meals and breakfasts. A thali costs about 120 to 220 rupees and a seafood meal about 400 to 900 rupees.
Try these
Grilled seafood (the day's catch at beach restaurants)
Tamil meals (rice with sambar, rasam and vegetables)
South Indian breakfast (idli, dosa and similar)
Vegetarian thali (a set plate at local messes)
Vegetarian meals are easy to find at local messes and at least one pure-vegetarian restaurant in town.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,500
₹450
₹200 per person
Mid-range
₹5,000
₹1,200
₹550 per vehicle
Luxury
₹15,000
₹2,500
₹3,200 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit is needed. Carry photo ID. Drones are banned at the monuments and commercial video needs prior permission.
Safety
By day
The monument area is busy with visitors. Midday heat is strong, so carry water and a hat.
At night
Stick to the lit town centre and Beach Road after dark.
Solo women
Usual precautions apply.
Roads
The East Coast Road is a good highway but traffic builds at peak hours, so allow 30 to 60 minutes extra. The sea has strong currents in places and is not safe for casual swimming.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
At least a few ATMs and banks within about 6 km of the centre (Indian Overseas Bank, ICICI Bank), the nearest under 1 km away. Carry some cash as a back-up. Carry some cash, as autos and buses usually want it.
Fuel
Petrol costs about 108 rupees a litre in the area.
Medical
There are several hospitals within about 6 km, including Suradeep Hospital and Moorthy Hospital. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Chengalpattu and Chennai have larger hospitals.
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