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Satellite town of Chennai in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
Photo: Dey.sandip, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம் Māmallaburam), also known as Mahabalipuram, is a tourist town 60 km south of Chennai on the east coast of India, famous for its stone carvings.
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Pancha Pandava 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. The Pandavas were five (panch in Sanskrit) brothers who led one side in the great war described in the ancient and sacred epic the Mahabharata. There are raths or chariots for Yudishthira (known as Dharmaraj), Bhim and Arjun. Draupadi the common wife of the five brothers also has a chariot. The chariots of Arjun and Draupadi stand on the same platform. The twin brothers of Nakul and Sahadev share the fifth chariot. Apart from the chariot of Nakul and Sahadev the other four are in a linear alignment and have entrances on the western side. The chariot of Nakul and Sahadev is located west of the other four chariot and faces south, The complex also has an elephant and tiger statue.
This ratha has a Ganesha statue inside it that is being actively worshipped.
Mahishamardini Rock Cut Mandapa
The central carving in this cave is of Shiva and Parvati and Murugan
Varaha Cave has four impressive carvings of Vishnu, Gakalakshmi, Trivikama and Durga.
Rock Cut Hindu temple noted for its carvings of tigers. The mouth of the cave forms the entrance to the temple.
The oldest structure in the area, built c. 700 AD. A Shiva lingam is enshrined in the central building. Unlike Mamallapuram's other monuments, the Shore Temple is a building (not carved from rock) and the bulk of the current structure is a reconstruction after it was struck by a cyclone. It's not particularly large, and the carvings have been badly eroded by the wind and the sea, but this adds to the sense of antiquity. The area around the temple is now a landscaped park, with guards keeping the hordes of souvenir hawkers at bay; despite that, the site can get very crowded on weekends.
Known as the 'Old Light House'" this structural temple stands atop the Mahishasuramardini Cave.
This is a giant natural rock perched on a hillside, seemingly in defiance of all laws of physics—it's a common sight to see visitors placing hands under the stone posing for pics, which looks as though they are holding it! The rock provides welcome shade if you dare to sit underneath it, and local kids have discovered that the slippery nearby hillside also makes a great natural slide.
Descent of the Ganges
A giant bas-relief filled with detailed carvings, including a family of elephants and monkeys. Archaeologists still squabble over what, exactly, the bas relief depicts; the central figure may actually depict Bhagiratha, not Arjuna.
Meganath Sculptures
This museum has hundreds of sculptures in stone, wood etc. It is well worth a visit.
The museum came up in 2017 and is an initiative of sea shell collector K Raja Mohamed. The museum displays about 6,000 shells out of which about 2,300 are from Mohamad's personal collection. The museum also has a pearl section apart from a few pearls on display the museum also narrates the story of the pearl through charts and diagrams. The museum also displays artifacts made of sea shell. Apart from shells and pearls the museum also displays aquarium fishes. Tourist also are provided with the option of having a fish spa in the museum. Last of all the museum has a souvenir shop selling pearls, sea shell and other related artifacts.
The museum came up in 2017 and houses several models of ships and boats including that of Titanic. The museum also has a submarine simulator. giving a real feel of the submarine. There is a silk route gallery a map shows the different land and sea route of the silk trade in the ancient world. There are several ancient boats on display. The complex also houses the Light House museum and a common ticket is required to visit both.
The lighthouse dates back to 1887 and is open to the public. A spiral stair leads to the top offering a birds-eye view of land and sea including the ruined temples and caves. The complex also houses a lighthouse museum. The operation of the lighthouse is explained with several models. On display is a series of old lighthouse lamps. Prior to the construction of the lighthouse the nearby Olakkanesvara temple served as a lighthouse with lights fitted on its top. Those lights and equipment are on display in the museum. The museum also has a short light and sound show operating several times a day.
Garden View Restaurant
Excellent food, each order freshly prepared, views of the street or the garden courtyard.
Family-run, fast, friendly and clean. Features Indian veg and non veg food as well as freshest seafood, offers a nice lake view for bird watching and has a relaxed atmosphere, very helpful waiter and cook.
Serves excellent Indian vegetarian food. Breakfast from 7AM is a poor deal at ₹153 (including tax) for a fairly simple buffet. It does, however, offer air conditioning! The lunch from midday is highly recommended... the best vegetarian thali spread for miles! It also has a pleasant non-veg restaurant on the rooftop.
Cheap, very good, popular veg thali (unlimited vegetables and curries, fixed rice and roti/bread) joint.
Multi-story restaurant with eclectic decoration, listed in all the guidebooks and hence quite popular with foreign tourists. The menu runs the gamut of Indian and Western favorites, veg and non-veg, although staff will try to steer you towards the expensive seafood items. Most dishes under ₹100, but seafood will cost you more. Also expect to pay more for extra bread or rice, drinks, etc. Beers around ₹150. Now expanded to control two places opposite one another.
Popular with foreign tourists, this French-owned cafe features credible Western food, a decent cup of coffee, a competent and friendly waitstaff, and a library stocked with Tintin and Asterix volumes.
Lakshmi Lodge
Serve healthy breakfast and excellent vegetarian food (Tamil Nadu style) and variety of fresh fish, prawns and lobsters, crabs and calamari freshly prepared with excellent taste. A beautiful terrace with view of the ocean and sound.
On the corner of Ottavadai Street and East Raja Street. Only four tables available at hole in the wall. Caters to a mostly Indian crowd. Fresh, tasty Northern India food at a great price. Full menu available for lunch and dinner.
Primarily an Indian scene but popular with Westerners too. Pure veg, cheap and good. Big lunch (dal, sabzi, rice, two chapatis, salad, pickles, ice-cream) for ₹60, Idli breakfast for ₹20, Dosa Masala for ₹25. Get a food ticket at the desk.
Surf provides a wide variety of food for all seafood lovers. This restaurant is at the entrance of the town. If you are not the greatest fan of seafood, then you will find this restaurant over priced. If you are really hungry, then Surf is not a good place to eat. The service is really late and you will receive your order just before you are about to starve down.
A large place on three storeys around a central parking courtyard, filled with pot plants. The simple rooms all have bathrooms and are clean. hotelramakrishna@gmail.com, booking@hotelramakrishna.com
27 cozy rooms with cool sea breeze, attached bath and 24 hrs room service.
Decent budget place and air conditioned rooms and cottages with swimming pool and nice sea view rooms, often has a good traveler vibe. Restaurant (the new cafe) on top. Internet cafe and travel information.
dancingwaves@ymail.com
Located right on the beach. 6 rooms with sea view in every room.
lings6@rediffmail.com
Direct on the beach, 2 minutes walk from the center. 6 rooms on seaside and 2 rooms available. On the rooftop is Cafe Good Luck. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are freshly prepared to order. Very nice view.
Pleasant family-owned hotel with a charming restaurant serving freshly cooked meals on a terrace overlooking the street and a lovely garden courtyard.
An authentic Southern Indian hotel, which is famous locally for its buffet meals and smiling hospitality. Room rates start from ₹2400 per day (updated on Jan 2022), including complimentary breakfast buffet. The hotel does not provide any mini-bar or alcoholic beverages on the room service menu. The hotel also has a swimming pool on the first floor.
Comfortable rooms and cottages in a tropical garden setting that leads to a lovely garden courtyard.
Nice guesthouse on the beachside.
35 sea view rooms with balconies and attached bath. Options of air conditioned standard and deluxe rooms, swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant with 24 hour room service.
Beach resort with a swimming pool. Ayurvedic massage is available on-site.
This is a government-owned resort and is a part of Tamilnadu tourism. The pricing is decent and all rooms are sea/beach facing. The place is relatively clean but the service is slow. The location and view is great. The food is bad. The complimentary breakfast is mostly South Indian and is not too good on most days. Great place to stay on a budget but eat out!
On the beach, 2 minutes walk from the center of the village. 4-5 rooms, all with seaview and fan. One with aircon. Also very good restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All food is freshly prepared after ordering.
Comfortable rooms and cottages in a tropical garden setting leading to palm trees and hammocks on the beach. Popular with tours.
By taxi
A taxi from Chennai will cost ₹600-₹800 one-way ($15–20) though the rates are likely to be higher based on the season, cab operator.
By car
The drive from Chennai on the East Coast Road is, by Indian standards, a wonderful experience: it is one of the few toll roads in India and maintained well.
It is easy to get around the town on foot, though bike rental is also available. It is relatively a small city and all points of interest are close to each other.
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