Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company
Description
When Marco Polo sailed past this coastline in the 13th century he recorded seeing a city of seven pagodas rising above the sea. Only one still stands. Archaeologists have found the others submerged offshore. The Pallava kings of the 7th and 8th centuries carved an entire world from the boulders here — five Mahabharata chariots from single rocks, a hundred-foot bas-relief with a satirical cat imitating a holy man while mice gather around it, a five-metre boulder balanced on a slope for thirteen centuries that a British administrator failed to move with an elephant, and the Shore Temple still reflecting in the Bay of Bengal at high tide. Our private Mahabalipuram tour from Chennai covers all of it with a cultural guide who brings every stone to life. Private car, expert guide, all entry fees and lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Make the first stop of the day at the Pancharathas, or five chariots, a series of monolithic temples built by the Pallavas.These are rock cut monolith temples structures built in the 7th century. Each of the 5 rathas or chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharat epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva. Once you stand towards the rear of the elephant you will notice that there is an uncanny resemblance between the rear of the chariot and the elephant.
We next visit Arjuna’s Penace, a bas-relief monument that’s considered one of India’s most magnificent pieces of ancient art, depicting vivid scenes from the Mahabharata. The relief is 100 feet long and 45 feet tall! The main story being told is how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.
Pandava cave is the largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram The cave is supported on six pillars and two pilasters. The highlight of the architecture are the spectacular sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali on the pillars.
The next stop is Krishna’s Butterball, a granite boulder that’s poised on a stony slope. This curious boulder seems to defy Newton's laws of gravity and has not moved an inch despite being in this precarious position on the slope for more than a thousand years.
The Varaha cave is carved out of huge piece of granite and dates back to the 7th century. This temple took several decades to be completed. There are squatting lions adorning the pillars which support the hall. Another highlight are the sculptures of two guardian angels who protect the sanctum.
This cave is a fine example of the spectacular architecture style of the Pallavas. The rock cut temple is dedicated to the holy trinity of Hindu Gods- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are fine carvings of elephants as well.
This is a imposing chariot carved out of a single stone. Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva, it now has the deity of his son Lord Ganesh. It was built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I. The other highlight of this temple are the 18 inscriptions in ancient grantha and nagari scripts of Sanskrit.
Built in the year 640, it is India’s oldest light house and one of the oldest in the world. Mahabalipuram was a very busy port since the 7th century and hence this lighthouse played a significant role in keeping mariners safe.
Two of the most impressive works of art of Mahabalipuram reside in this cave. It has 2 imposing bas-reliefs on the walls. The first one is Lord Vishnu sleeping on top of the coils of a serpent. The other is with Goddess Durga fighting with the demon Mahishasura on a lion.
Our last port of call is the Shore Temple. The magnificent temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was an important centre during the reign of the Pallavas when Mahabalipuram was the main port of their Kingdom. Built by King Raja Simha during the early 8th century, the Shore Temple is a landmark in the architectural landscape of India. Marco Polo referred to this as the seven pagodas. The existing temple is the last surviving of the 7 which once stood as a beacon for sea farers.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up from all hotels in Chennai
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(447)
I had an amazing experience with Ramesh as my guide. As a solo traveler, I always felt safe, comfortable, and well taken care of throughout the tour. He was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly, sharing fascinating insights about the history and culture of every place we visited. He was patient, well organized, and always happy to answer my questions. His recommendations were excellent and made my trip even more enjoyable. Thanks to him, I was able to learn so much along the way. I highly recommend Ramesh to anyone visiting. He truly made my trip memorable, and I’m very grateful for his kindness and dedication. Thank you, Ramesh!
India is a truly unforgettable destination that completely exceeded expectations. Between the rich, vibrant culture, breathtaking historical sites, and incredibly warm hospitality, the journey offered a magical mix of authentic experiences. It was an enriching and deeply rewarding adventure
This was a wonderful trip to Mahabalipuram. The pick up was seamless and Ganesh was an absolute delight. He gave us so much information about, not only Chennai, but also about Indian culture and religious beliefs. I have been to many parts of India with work and used viator regularly to book tours around various places. This was particularly memorable. Our driver managed the traffic with ease and our specialist guide at the site was so knowledgeable and kind. Never felt rushed and he gave us time to walk around and soak in the atmosphere. Thank you.
Jainath and Ramesh were excellent tour guides that showed/explained Mahabalipuram!
This was an amazing tour! We had two knowledgeable tour guides who were wonderful storytellers and seemed genuinely enthusiastic about sharing the site with us. We learned so much! We also appreciated the guide’s flexibility in adapting the tour based on our interests (ie stopping at the crocodile park and getting leather sandals on the way home). They knew which stores were more reputable and supported us in purchasing handmade stone sculptures.
Informative and helpful guide. Loved the experience
It was an amazing and truly memorable experience! Our guide and driver took excellent care of us throughout the entire journey, ensuring we were comfortable, safe, and well looked after every step of the way. Their professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail made the trip even more enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a wonderful travel experience!
Just back from an incredible trip to Mahabalipuram. A definite must go!!! Kannan was our guide who was exceptionally knowledgeable. Finished with a beautiful thali South Indian lunch which was an experience in itself. 5 stars all the way!
We had a good experience on this tour. It was very interesting, and the guides explained everything clearly and professionally. We felt well looked after throughout the day, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We also had the chance to try some traditional local food, which was nice and gave us a taste of the local culture. Overall, the tour was well organized and enjoyable. It was a worthwhile experience, and we would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the area and its traditions.
The tour was really interesting showcasing all types of architecture. Our guide Kannan was very friendly and offered us greatly detailed explanations on all sights.
