Fast Facts:
Location: 58 kilometers from Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Also known as: Mamallapuram, the city of Bali
Most popular for: Its the center of the Pallava Culture and Arts.
Important Festivals that are celebrated: Dance festival in the month of December
Language: Tamil and English
Best Time to visit: October to March
Location:
The city of Mahabalipuram is known as the temple city which is located at the distance of 60 kilometers from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal at the coast of south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is well connected through the network of roads from Chennai and other cities of South India.
Best Time to Visit:
The weather of the Mahabalipuram is quite hot all through the year with the maximum temperature of 35 degree Celsius and the minimum of 19 degree Celsius. Therefore it has been recommended to travel Mahabalipuram during the month of October to March. The resorts of the Mahabalipuram has been packed during the peak season, therefore it has been advised to book the resorts in advance.
Special Attractions at Mahabalipuram:
Shore Temple:
The temple has been designed to catch the attention of the sunrise and the temple has ended with the unique layout. The main shrine of the temple faces to the east direction and the gate of the assembly hall of the Shore Temple lies behind the sanctum. Another thing that is seen unusual is there are two shrines together and they are of Lord Shiva and Vishnu together. The encloseing of both the shrines are having the series of Nandi Bulls.
Mandapas:
The main hill at the Mamallapuram is having the number of halls and pillared into the rock face. These mandapas are the most graceful and the most indigenous sculptures that are made by the artistry of the Pallavan rock cutter. In all those Ganesha mandapa is the most attractive till now. The other mandapas are of Panch Pandavas, Mahishasuramardini mandapa which is having goddess Durga, etc.
How to Reach Mahabalipuram?
Air: Chennai (58 kilometers) is the nearest airport from Mahabalipuram which work as both domestic and national terminal. International flights are also operated from here.
Rail: The nearest railway head from Mahabalipuram is Chengalpattu (29 kilometers) and Chennai (58 kilometers). From these two railway heads one can easily reach the place as it is connected directly.
Road: Buses are operated directly from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram. Taxis are also available from Chennai to Mahabalipuram.
