Private Mahabalipuram day trip from Chennai with Guide

A treasure trove of art and architectural masterpieces and home to many rock-cut sculptures and majestic temples, Mahabalipuram is a beautiful heritage site located in the heart of Southern India. A Chennai to Mahabalipuram tour package will make sure that you enjoy and explore a wide variety of attractions, that too in a single day.

Get picked up from your stay in Chennai, followed by a transfer to Mahabalipuram. The sightseeing will start by visiting the Mahabalipuram Seashore Temple. This is one of the oldest granite stone temples in Southern Asia and exhibits the ancient finesse of art.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Shore Temple Rd, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mahishasura Mardini cave, J58R+MP2, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

This cave 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.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ganesh Ratha Temple, Near Arjuna Penance, Mahabalipuram India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Trimurti Cave, Mahabalipuram India

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.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Krishna's Butter Ball, E Raja St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

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.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Arjuna's Penance, West Raja Street Near Ganesha Ratha, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Pancha Rathas, Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

Panch Rathas, or the 5 chariots is our first destination. These are rock cut monolith structures, where of the chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharata epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Hotel Mamalla Bhavan ( Pure Vegetarian Restaurant ), S Mada St, near Sthala Sayan Perumal Temple, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

Last, We have South Indian Lunch is Hotel Mamalla Bhavan.

Duration: 30 minutes

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.