Mammalapuram, Chennai

Mammalapuram, popularly known as Mahabalipuram is a most enchanting place near the metropolitan city of Chennai. Mammalapuram, a tranquil seaside town is about 57 kilometers from Chennai and a major port in ancient India. Mammalapuram confines few of the best specimens of the temple architecture from of South India. Mammalapuram was the dominating spot of rulers of the Pallava dynasty since 5th century. In 1995, the UNESCO declared the ancient town of Mammalapuram as the World Heritage Site.

If you visit Mammalapuram, you can have a glimpse of the rich traditions of ancient art that have been preserved till today. The best time to visit Mammalapuram near Chennai is between January and February. During this time the small town of Mammalapuram organizes regular cultural performances. The weather is quite pleasant with temperature ranging from 20° to 30° C.

Mammalapuram is connected with other parts of the state with well built roads. When you visit Mammalapuram you can avail a rented car or frequent bus services to move about the place or to the nearby cities like Pondicherry, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tirupathi and so on.

Mammalapuram near Chennai has a number of economy accommodation facilities like the dormitories and ashramas for low budget tourists apart from middle budget hotels, luxury accommodations and beach resorts.

Mammalapuram near Chennai is famous for the following:

• The Rath Temples or the Chariot Temples
• The Shore Temple
• The Mahishasuramardini Cave
• Varaha Cave
• Tiger Caves
• Arjuna’s Penance
• Krishna’s Butterball

Tourists as well as the locals throng in the town to see the annual Mammalapuram Dance Festival which is held between mid-January and mid-February. Here you can see the awesome performances of the Indian classical dances like the Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi and the Odissi dance. During Pongal, Mammalapuram near Chennai organizes puppet shows, folk and classical music concerts and tribal dances.

Last Updated on 11/2/2011