Mahabalipuram Weekend Tour | Short Trip To Mahabalipuram

OVERVIEW- Placed along the shores of the Bay of Bengal on the Coromandel Coast in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the town of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram was founded in the form of a sea port between the 7th and 10thcenturies by the rulers of Pallava dynasty. Quite popular for its beach and temples, Mahabalipuram becomes just the right kind of weekend getaway destination because of its heritage. The city is dotted with a number of temples as tourist attractions, the most popular being the rock-cut temples. The beauty of Mahabalipuram is a combination of architecture, vast casuarinas trees & of silvery sandy beaches.

CHENNAI- Chennai the fifth most populous city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal and was initially known as Madras. Chennai is also known as the automobile capital of India and it has the maximum number of automobile industry in India. It is city with a blend of old and new in the right proportion. Chennai is housed with a number of historic landmarks and beaches.

BENGALURU- Bengaluru, the Garden City of India is also the capital of Karnataka. The city ranks as one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Its pleasant climate, friendly people and its highly educated population have made this Silicon Valley of India. Almost all computer related multinationals are setting up their Indian head office at Bengaluru. This garden city of India has many gardens and boulevards. There are number of places of tourist interest in and around Bengaluru.

MAHABALIPURAM- Mahabalipuram also called as Mamallapuram is a famous coastal town and was earlier a sea port founded by a Pallavan King in the 17th century. Today it is a fascinating archaeological site and a pleasant sea resort. Mahabalipuram washed by the shores of the Bay of Bengal is noted for its coastline. This golden sandy beach has striking interesting features in an unusual way bounded by the gleam of the sea and rolling hills.

Tour Destination: Chennai/Bengaluru - Mahabalipuram - Chennai/Bengaluru

Travel Duration: 02 Nights/03 Days

DAY 1: CHENNAI/BENGALURU - MAHABALIPURAM

Today morning drive towards Mahabalipuram. Transfer to hotel. In the evening go out for shopping for local handicraft items.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: MAHABALIPURAM

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Mahabalipuram viewing

SHORE TEMPLE- The oldest structure in the area, build c. 700 AD, this temple has been here for more than 1400 years. A Shiva lingam is enshrined in the central building and the site can get very crowded on weekends.

FIVE RATHAS- This site contains five Rathas, literally chariots, dating from the 7th century. The sculptures are complemented by some enormous stone animals, including a large elephant.

THIRUKADALMALLAI- This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was also built by Pallava King in order to safeguard the sculptures from the ocean.

SCULPTURE MUESEUM: East Raja Street has hundreds of sculptures in stone, wood etc. The following structures like Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butterball, Mahishamardini Cave. Varaha Cave having four impressive carvings of Vishnu, Gajalakshmi, Trivikrama and Durga are all carved straight out of rock in the central hillside area, so you can travel between them on foot.

In the evening you can sit back and relax on the sandy beach or can enjoy Boat rides in the Bay of Bengal with life guards, fishing trips to the sea & Turtle walk at the sea shore.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3: MAHABALIPURAM - CHENNAI/BENGALURU

Day free for leisure and later, drive back to Chennai/Bengaluru to catch your flights/train towards onward destination.

Distance & Time (Approx)