Private Mahabalipuram day trip from Chennai with Guide
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.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Shore Temple Rd
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.
30 minutesMahishasura Mardini cave
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.
20 minutesMahabalipuram Lighthouse
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.
20 minutesGanesh Ratha Temple
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.
15 minutesTrimurti Cave
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.
20 minutesKrishna's Butter Ball
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.
20 minutesArjuna's Penance
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.
20 minutesPancha Rathas
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.
30 minutesHotel Mamalla Bhavan ( Pure Vegetarian Restaurant )
Last,We have South Indian Lunch is Hotel Mamalla Bhavan.
30 minutesIncluded
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Professional Guide
- Entrance Charges
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Ganesh Ratha Temple
- Entry/Admission - Trimurti Cave
- Entry/Admission - Shore Temple
- Entry/Admission - Krishna's Butter Ball
- Entry/Admission - Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
- Entry/Admission - Arjuna's Penance
- Entry/Admission - Pancha Rathas
- Entry/Admission - Hotel Mamalla Bhavan ( Pure Vegetarian Restaurant )
- Entry/Admission - Mahishasura Mardini cave
Not Included
- Portage and tips
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
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.