Mahabalipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mahabalipuram page 1

It is hard to imagine that this small tourist- Max: Min: Rain: 29.79999923 20.70000076 20.7999992370605 friendly town was once a bustling port- 7060547°C 2939453°C 47mm Mahabalipura capital of the , some 1,400 Feb years back. Mammallapuram, or Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Mahabalipuram as it was earlier called, was Max: Min: Rain: 15.0mm m 31.70000076 21.70000076 named after ‘Mammala’, a title of King 2939453°C 2939453°C Housing one of the oldest carvings Narasimha Varman I, the Pallava ruler who Mar in granite, this city close to set up his capital here and established a Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. centre of sculpture and art in the 7th is popular among tourists and Max: Min: Rain: history buffs alike. Walk between Famous For : Weekend GetawaysCity century CE. The striking feature of the 33.90000152 23.60000038 23.2999992370605 sculpture here is that it is all monolithic — 5878906°C 1469727°C 47mm carved stones and temples and Named after the cruel mythical King giant temples carved from single rocks. The Apr experience the open, fresh air who was slayed by Lord , town still harbours those fabulous ancient Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. along sprawling gardens and parks. the city came to prominence with the carved structures, worthy of its UNESCO Max: Min: 26.0°C Rain: 35.70000076 23.7999992370605 Take home souvenirs from a Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th Centuries. World Heritage Site status, and made doubly 293945°C 47mm multitude of shops, hawkers and An archaeologist's delight, this city boasts a atmospheric by its seaside location. May roadside vendors. large collection of ornate stone-carvings, Mammallapuram is also a great destination Hot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella. made on uncut rocks, which lay scattered in for a lazy beach holiday, and has all the Max: Min: Rain: 53.0mm the complex and make it seem like an open essential ingredients — sea, sand, sun, 38.09999847 27.39999961 4121094°C 8530273°C museum. Destroyed to a large degree by souvenirs and seafood. There are plenty of soil and wind erosion, the magnificient cheap lodges and hotels, but if you want to Jun Hot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella. has been recognised by spoil yourself, then there are many Max: Min: Rain: UNESCO for revival and restoration. The luxurious beach resorts here that you can 37.20000076 26.89999961 87.3000030517578 prominent carvings, carved straight out of check into. 293945°C 8530273°C 1mm stone are 's Penance, Caves Jul dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, When To umbrella. Mahishamardini Cave dedicated to Lord Max: Min: 26.0°C Rain: , and from Hindu 35.70000076 108.900001525878 mythology. The Tsunami in 2004 exposed VISIT 293945°C 9mm several submerged temples and a whole Aug

new layer to the history of Mahabalipuram. http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-mahabalipuram-lp-1139151 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Take soothing walks amidst green, lush umbrella. Max: Min: 25.5°C Rain: This Pdf and its contents are copyright © parks and enjoy the fresh sea-breeze 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the Jan 34.79999923 136.600006103515 character and all other marks displayed herein are 706055°C 62mm registered and/or common law trademarks of coming in from the , that runs ixigo.com and/or third parties. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. parallel to the city. Sep Mahabalipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mahabalipuram page 2

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. Mahabalipuram, 603104, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, Max: 34.5°C Min: Rain: India 25.20000076 134.300003051757 Panch in Mahabalipuram are 2939453°C 8mm stupendous monolith shrines dedicated to Built as a testament to ’s Oct  each of the from the epic might as a busy port during the times of Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, saga of . Created by the umbrella. Pallava king Narasimhavarman, Shore Pallavan kings, King Mahendravarman and Max: 32.0°C Min: Rain: 336.5mm Temple in Mahabalipuram, is one of India’s 24.29999923 King Narasimhavarman, his son, and 7060547°C oldest structural stone temples. Built in the labelled World Heritage site, each shrine 8th century out of massive slabs of granite, Nov here has been carved out of a single block of the temple is really a religious complex Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, pink granite and intricately sculpted into umbrella. housing three temples, situated on the existence. Standing here since the 7th Max: Min: Rain: 374.0mm coastline of the Bay of Bengal. 30.10000038 22.89999961 century A.D., and having weathered the 1469727°C 8530273°C Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram houses the wrath of nature and time over the years, the main shrine, which is a five-storied temple Dec Rathas, though appearing slightly dedicated to Lord Shiva. In between the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, unfinished, are grand exemplars of Pallavan umbrella. main temple and the other smaller temple rock-cut architectural style.  Max: Min: Rain: 152.5mm dedicated to Lord Shiva as well, is the shrine 29.20000076 21.29999923 2939453°C 7060547°C dedicated to Lord Vishnu, represented in his

reclining form. The entire complex and the Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India temples themselves are glorious exemplars

What To of Dravidian architectural style and are As you enter the complex of replete with incredible ornamentation, Quintessentially an Indian aspect, there is a Panch Rathas, ’s is on you carvings, sculptures and mythical figures. 96 feet long and 43 feet wide humongous SEE right. Shaped like a hut, Draupadi’s ratha is Circling the complex is a wall carved with open air in Mahabalipuram, classified 5 Sights also dedicated to Goddess . Next up is images of Yali (mythical tiger like creature), a World Heritage site, with every millimetre http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-mahabalipuram-lp- Arjuna’s rath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Varahas (boar) and , the bull (Lord of the monolithic rock carved intricately with 1139151 and Sahadev’s rath, in front of Shiva’s mount). scenes and characters that no one has been Arjuna’s, has a number of beautiful, stately 1 Shore Temple able to make up their mind about. Believed sculptures of elephants.  Fittingly, the 2 by some to narrate the tale of river Ganges biggest rath is that of ’s. It is descent from heavens, the other humongous and has lion sculptures interpretation leans more towards the story surrounding it and carved on its pillars. of Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram in Finally, towards one end of the complex is order to seek a boon from Lord Shiva. Yudhistra’s rath, eldest of the Pandavas.

3 Arjuna's Penance Made on a scale of grandeur and symbolic Mahabalipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mahabalipuram page 3

significance that immediately points to its the 8th century.With its foundation 1st Floor, Grande Bay Resort , Pallavan origins, the relief is divided into two 4 Thirukadalmallai threaded in mythological lores and tales of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India halves by a natural cleft. To the left is the devotional zeal, Thirukadalmallai is disputed figure of a man standing on one mesmerizingly beautiful. Surrounded by a +91-27443060 leg, arms upraised and standing behind him canopy of evergreen shrubs and trees, is Lord Shiva. Considered to be either King casuarinas, there are a number of tiny A fine example of how metropolitanism Bhagiratha doing tapasya to bring River villages settled near the temple where you seems to be catching up with Ganges to Earth or Arjuna doing penance in can pick up unique handicrafts and Mamallapuram where Pallava dynasty still order to seek Pasupata, Lord Shiva’s most antiques. reigns in spirit, L'Attitude 49 is powerful weapon, to fight the epic war of one of the few rare places in Mamallapuram Mahabharata. 5 Varaha Cave Temple Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India where alcohol is on the menu apart from its Surrounding the figure are scenes and excellent, wide range of seafood. depictions of mythological characters, Known to its devotees as Sthalasayana creatures, celestial world with practically life- Perumal Temple, Thirukadalmallai is one of If you think you have had enough of seafood sized bas-reliefs of elephants and their the 108 Divya Desams (108 Vishnu temples for one trip, then take a break only after you calves lyrically carved into the monolithic that find reference in the literary works of have indulged in at Latitude 49. While its rock in immortalized narration. Tamil saints, Azhvars) dedicated to Lord mostly seafood on menu, Latitude 49’s

Vishnu in his Sthalasayana Perumal avatar distinguishing factor is the range of ways

as well as in his epic avatar, that of Lord and styles seafood is prepared. You will find Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram is Narasimha, and Mother Shakti in her fishes, prawns, calamari, lobsters and considered the largest open-air bas-relief in Nilamangai Thayaar avatar. Yet another prawns done in thai, chinese, malaysian and the world. Carved on the side of a cliff is an Pallavan architectural marvel, singaporean style, each as delicious as the elaborate depiction of one of the scenes Thiruadalmallai has two separate shrines, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India next with a great view of the sea to whet from the Mahabharata — Arjuna doing one dedicated to Lord Sthalasayana your appetite even more. penance to obtain a special weapon for the Perumal and Nilamangai Thayaar and the Kurukshetra war. The 30m x 12m carved other to Lord Narasimha. Standing on Where To area is split into two by a fissure that depicts Mahabalipuram shore against the sparkling a river. It is also believed to be Bhagirath’s blue backdrop of the Bay of Bengal, 2 Le Yogi Penance, depicting how the sage’s Thiurkadalmallai is also the birthplace of Eat austerities made the divine river Ganges Bhoothathazhwar, 2nd of the Azhwars, 5 Places descend to earth. It is believed that in the Tamil saints. Soul of Sri Thirumangai Alvar’s, http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-mahabalipuram-lp-1139151 Pallava times, water flowed down this crack (last of the 12 Azhwars) pasurams (hymn into the tank below. Animals and compositions), Thirukadalmallai finds 1 L'Attitude 49 supernatural creatures are carved around reference in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a Arjuna, and sculptures of gods Shiva and collection of tamil verses, 4000 in total, Vishnu. composed by the 12 Azhwars well before Mahabalipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mahabalipuram page 4

Othavadai Street, Mahabalipuram, Othavadai Cross, Mahabalipuram, 34, Othavadai Street, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India Tamil Nadu, India Tamil Nadu, 603104, India

+91-44-27442571 +91-44-27442115 In a beach town expect establishments to go

3 Sri Ananda Bhavan little overboard with the witty sea references. One such establishment is Abuzz with the tourist crowd, particularly Nautilus restaurant. A fairly well known expats, Moonrakers is a more contemporary chain restaurant with branches in Goa, dining option in the heritage city of Hampi, etc Nautilus seems to have a knack Mamallapuram. Spread over three stories, for attracting a wide range of diners with its Moonrakers lures you with its snazzy delightful ambience and delicious food. ambience and culinary magic.

A range of cuisines are served out here with One of the few places in Mamallapuram a focus on seafood dishes. Run by a French where you can get alcohol, Moonrakers lays couple, Nautilus offers most of the classic out a multi-cuisine spread with a smattering favourites of all the cuisines it caters in. of dishes from a range of cuisines. While European, Italian, to Chettinad and north and south Indian dishes are good Othavadai Street, Fisherman Colony, traditional south Indian, there is something dining options, do try out their seafood Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, for everyone’s palate out here. Some of the dishes with the core ingredient fresh from 603104, India must try dishes are grilled red snapper, the sea. Other options that you will find to your liking are pasta, refreshing tropical pasta, chicken chettinad, garlic prawns, salads and pancakes for breakfast. Yet another culinary classic of the town, Sri coconut fish curry and calamaris amongst

Ananda Bhavan in Mahabalipuram many others. Do remember to get your restaurant is a popular dining choice of both caffeine and sugar fix out here with their locals and tourists alike. While Idlis at coffee and chocolate cake. this cozy restaurant make for perfect 5 Moonrakers breakfasts, for lunch indulge in their thali option, which though heavy on your stomach is surprisingly light on your pocket. Other must try dining options at the restaurant are Masala dosa, vada, Uttapam and other classic south Indian culinary options on the menu.

4 Nautilus Mahabalipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mahabalipuram page 5

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See A: Shore Temple B: Pancha Rathas C: Arjuna's Penance D: Thirukadalmallai E: Varaha Cave Temple Accommodation F: Indeco Hotels Mahabalipuram G: Golden Sun Beach Resort H: Sai Baba Guest House I: Indeco Hotels Mahabalipuram J: Golden Sun Beach Resort K: Sai Baba Guest House L: Indeco Hotels Mahabalipuram M: Golden Sun Beach Resort N: Sai Baba Guest House Food O: L'Attitude 49 P: Le Yogi Q: Sri Ananda Bhavan R: Nautilus S: Moonrakers