Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu is the beautiful town of Mahabalipuram. It is also one of the best destinations in Tamil Nadu if you wish to spend some time at the pristine sandy beaches. From some amazing ancient stone temples to rock art sculptures, and intriguing carvings to the monuments narrating the tales of the bygone era-there is so much to enjoy in this amazing town of Tamil Nadu.
The serene ambiance of this town mixed with the breathtaking sunrise creates a mesmerizing atmosphere that attracts a lot of history enthusiasts and nature lovers. There are endless things to do in Mahabalipuram with family or even when you visit here on a solo trip. Be it the beauty of the town or the mouth-watering cuisines, there is something for every visitor of all ages.
Let’s have a look at the amazing things to do in Mahabalipuram
1. Shore Temple
Talking about the UNESCO world heritage sites of Mahabalipuram; Shore Temple is one of them. It is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and is one of the popular attractions of the city. The temple is one of the most ancient and well-preserved temples in the country that sees a lot of visitors throughout the year.
If you are looking for some unique things to do in Mahabalipuram, make sure to visit the temple and explore the area around it. According to the legends, it is said that the temple is one of the Seven Pagodas in Mahabalipuram. That makes it a very important pilgrim spot for all the devotees.
| Location of the Temple | Beach Rd, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104 |
| Timings of the Temple | 6 am to 6 pm |
| Time Required to explore here | 2 hours |
| Entry Fee |
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| Best time to visit the Temple | October to March and January to February |
2. Lighthouse
Mahabalipuram lighthouse is one of the most important attractions of the city not just because of the view that visitors get from the summit but also due to its existence. It is said that this light House is one of the oldest in the entire country that was constructed and designed by King Pallava. This is a huge attraction that stands tall at 26 m and is visible from approximately 52 km in radius.
The Mahabalipuram lighthouse is a very common and preferred attraction that is visited by especially foreign tourists. If you are wanting to do some amazing things to do in Mahabalipuram with your family then hiking to the lighthouse and enjoying the view pictures can be one of them.
| Location of the Lighthouse | Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Timings of the Lighthouse | 10 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 4.45 pm |
| Entry Fee | Adult: 10 INR
Children: 5 INR Foreigners: 25 INR Camera: 20 INR |
| Top things visible from the top of the Lighthouse |
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3. Maritime Heritage Museum
Maritime Heritage Museum is another very interesting and important attraction of Mahabalipuram. As you can understand from the name, this museum houses multiple maritime heritages. Being one of the most interesting things to do, exploring this museum will surely keep you engaged for a good time.
In this museum, you get to see several ancient ships and boats that were used in the country. It also houses the first ship that ever landed on the coast of Mahabalipuram. In multiple illustrations, you will be able to figure out that they are a model of route maps that the ships used to take to reach the Indian coast.
| Location | Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104 |
| Timings | 9:30 am to 6 pm (Monday to Sunday) |
| Entry Fee | 5 INR per person |
| Time Required to explore the museum | 1 hour |
4. Pancha Ratha
Another very interesting and one of the most important sites to behold in Mahabalipuram is the Panch Ratha. Like the name suggests there are five chariots that can be seen located at multiple places in the vicinity of this historic site. More importantly, all of these are monolithic rock-cut temples which means the entire structure is created out of a single rock. This means all five temples in this vicinity are created out of five rocks.
This is a majestic monument complex that is located on the extreme Southern side of the town. While you visit Mahabalipuram make sure to enjoy this activity of visiting and exploring the entire complex of this monument. All the five chariots that are made here are dedicated to the five Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi.
| Location | 58, W Raja St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu |
| Timings | 6 am to 6 pm |
| Entry Fee | Indians: 10 INR
Foreigners: 250 INR |
5. Krishna’s butterball
Popularly known as the Krishna‘s butter Ball, there is a huge rock or a round shaped boulder that stands at an interesting 45° angle balancing itself on the top of a rock. Although there are no such interesting sites or aesthetically important sites around this place, Still people get attracted to the phenomenon that has been holding the ball for so many years.
It is believed that Krishna’s Butter Ball is in the same place for more than 1300 years and just for your understanding, the folder stands on a 1.2 m base which is a slope. So if you are looking for interesting things to do or explore in Mahabalipuram, then do visit this place for sure.
| Location | E Raja St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu |
| Entry Fee | Indians: 40 INR
Foreigners: 600 INR |
| Timings | 6 am to 6 pm |
| Best Time To Visit | November to February |
Conclusion
Renowned for its UNESCO world heritage sites, temples, beaches, and vibrant markets; Mahabalipuram has a lot of amazing things to offer to all visitors. While you are planning a trip to this outstanding destination, make sure to include at least the activities that we have listed above. Also, while iterating your trip do not forget to include places to visit in Mahabalipuram in 1 day or for extended trips.
See Also: Things to do in Chennai
