Mahabalipuram, Ancient port town in Tamil Nadu, India
Mahabalipuram is a coastal town in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India, known for its rock-cut monuments and temples along the shore. The complex stretches along several kilometers of coastline, with structures that progress from simple caves to freestanding temples by the beach.
The place became an important port on the Bay of Bengal between the 7th and 9th centuries under the rule of the Pallava kings. Most structures were built during the reign of King Narasimhavarman I, who developed it as both a religious and commercial center.
The names of the temples and structures come from the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic translated into stone throughout this place. Merchants and craftspeople still work following old traditions, and you often see stonemasons at their craft along the roadsides.
Access to most monuments is available daily, with early morning hours offering cooler conditions for walking around. A visit takes between half a day and a full day depending on your interest, as the structures are spread across a wide area.
The relief by the shore shows hundreds of figures of gods, people, and animals on a single rock face, complemented by a natural waterfall after monsoon rains. The five chariots carved from single boulders never served as temples but were practice pieces for stonemasons from the start.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
