Mahabalipuram Beach

Mahabalipuram, previously known as 'Mamallapuram', is 55 kilometers off to Chennai, the capital city of Tamilnadu. Mahabalipuram, the magnificent city ashore Coromandel, was once a trading port of the Pallavas.


Pallavas were the first Dravidic dynasty that ruled over the substantial portion of the peninsular India.

The Pallavas rulers were famous for their appreciation and patronization of Dravidian art forms. They were the one who commissioned the magnificent monuments and temples of Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram beach is famous for its marvelous monuments that include sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and temples. The Pallavas art at this place emphasizes robust earthly beauty, imbibed with life. These monumental splendors and the sunny beach resorts attract tourists from all over the world.

A crocodile farm, Snake venom extracting center, Schools of art and sculpture and a wide choice of resorts along the beach draw holiday-seekers all round the year. Mahabalipuram beaches are a good place for sunbathing and other related activities. The resorts that lay scattered all along the Coromandel offers a range of leisure activities such as diving, wind surfing and motor boating.

How about a marvelous holiday at the Mahabalipuram beach? The magical land of Mahabalipuram is probably one of the finest un-spoilt beaches in India on the coastline of Tamil Nadu. Tourists from across the globe come to Mahabalipuram. On the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Bengal Mahabalipuram is truly mesmerizing.

The port town of Mahabalipuram along with its beaches will sweep you off your feet. The beach of Mahabalipuram attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year though the best time to check out the beach at Mahabalipuram is from November to February. While at the beach you may sun bathe, relax, unwind et al.

While at Mahabalipuram you may check out the magnificent monuments besides the beautiful beaches. The rock cut art is amazingly attractive. For the more religious tourists there are the shore temple, rathas, arjuna’s penance that are worth visiting.

Then there is the captivating crocodile farm, the snake venom-extracting center besides the schools of art and sculpture, which form the prime attractions for tourists. You may plan your trip around the Dance Festival that is held at Mahabalipuram and is hosted by the Department of Tourism of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The classical music, Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi and folk dances will not fail to charm you. Accommodation is easily available with the options from the beach resorts, deluxe hotels and budget hotels.


Mahabalipuram may be easily accessed. Mahabalipuram is well connected through air, rail and road networks. The nearest airport of Chennai connects Mahabalipuram with other major cities of India and the world through frequent flights and trains. In terms of the road transport buses to and from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai et al ply to Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram beach also has some ancient historical monuments in its close proximity and this is the main reason of attraction of this beach. There is one of the oldest shore temples in South India built by the Pallava King Rajasimha in the early 8th century and the world's largest bas-relief, the 'Penance of Arjuna', which is 96ft long and 43 ft high, the five rathas and the tiger's cave along the beach. On the way to Mahabalipuram Beach is Dakshinachitra, 28 km from Chennai, a heritage space with exhibitions and workshops of the arts and crafts including traditional home architecture and performing artists of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Other places worth a visit while on a tour to the beach include the crocodile farm where about 5000 crocodiles of 6 different species, alligators and other reptiles are bred in captivity, kept in open, marshy enclosures, snake venom extracting centre and a school of art and sculpture.

Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu hosts a Dance Festival annually at Mahabalipuram during Jan- Feb. The festival which lasts for a month has exponents of classical dances like Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali.as well as folk dances perform in an open air stage against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. A wide choice of accommodation for longer stays are provided at various rates along the beach draw holiday seekers all round the year. Accommodation is available at Hotel Tamil Nadu (Beach Resorts Complex), Hotel Tamil Nadu II Camping Site and other beach resorts and lodges.