Mahabalipuram: The Land of Mahabali

I am writing again after another six months. I have to keep visiting here regular. Actually, initial plan was to add at least one post per month but it appears that even it is difficult. I will try to stick this plan although lot of things coming up in next few days. I will discuss it in next post.

I started this blog to share my experiences in life, wherever I stay. Currently I am in Chennai and I am sharing my life here. I don’t want to make it a travel blog. Generally I tend to do that more may be it is human tendency. :)  Recently I visited Mahabalipuram a small town near Chennai just 55 Km away. It was second trip. When I first visited, I was thinking I am visiting just another temple place. For those who don’t know, there are many old and beautiful temples in Tamil-Nadu. But, I am not big fan of temples. Why? Well not now on this. I rather avoid discussing religious topics.

Mahabalipuram is different and very beautiful place to visit. I am happy that I went there. It is different place.  It is less about temple and more about old architecture, beautifully done carvings in stone in the sixth century or so, it’s about a perfect location for temple, a light house and maritime museum. The place is world heritage site.  

How to reach?

Mahabalipuram is 55Km south to Chennai. Car or taxi or motor-cycle can be used to reach the place. There is no train route here. Road to reach Mahabalipuram is called ECR(East Coast Road). Map is below. There are many good resorts on this road where it is possible to have good food and spend some good time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram

What to see in Mahabalipuram?

As I said it is full of one day package. Now it depends on your interest what to see? If you are interested in ancient Indian sculptures then there is Shore Temple, Pach rathas, Tiger cave to visit. If you are interested in history and naval equipments, then there is small museum maintained by government of India. If you want to take some good snaps or selfies, then there are some amazing places like a big, round rock, just standing on slope on very small base. It is named as Krishna’s butterball. Also, there is light house, where you can get some good top-view photos of Mahabalipuram and Sea.

Above places are world heritage sites, so they are maintained by Archeological Survey of India (ASI). To see the places the entrée fees is Rs 30 for Indians and Rs. 100 (or so not sure what is exact amount) for Foreigners or non-Indian nationals. Frankly I don’t like this discrimination in fees. I think it is not there in other countries. But good thing is in one ticket you are allowed to visit 3 different sites. Shore temple is old place and is maintained very well. Good job govt. of India. This temple however confused me. Generally temple is of certain god. However there is not god statue, in these temples. I don’t know if it was there earlier and removed now but it is not easy to identify which god’s temple is it? Also sculptures are not greatly visible due to wear and tear. Outside the shore temple there are cows’ statues which are sitting in line which looks good. Near to shore temple, there is a place called Five Rathas. Ratha is vehicles which were earlier used by King’s and Gods. So as name says they are five in number and in different sizes. They are empty though. Near to Rathas, there is very big size status of Elephant and Lion. They are very brilliantly carved in one stone.

Another interesting place to visit here is Krishna’s butter ball. It is a big round stone stuck on a slope. This giant stone rest on very small base on slope. It very good place for photos in various poses. It feels little adventures to stand in the way of giant stone coming towards you on slope but paused by nature for I don’t know how many years.

I have lived beach side cities in my life. I have seen few light house but never went in. In Mahabalipuram my this wish was fulfilled. It is very different experience to climb on spiral stare-case to the mid-platform and from there through very narrow and steep ladder to the top. Once you reach to the top, you can see beautiful landscape of all the ancient monuments and sea along with the dispersed stones.

At the last but not the least, there is clean and nice sea shore where you can take bath, swim and play in water. Overall Mahabalipuram is a complete package for one day trip. If you happen to visit Chennai, take out time to visit this nice place.