An extraordinary - UNESCO Monuments Tour to Mahabalipuram from Chennai

An extraordinary - UNESCO Monuments Tour to Mahabalipuram from Chennai

Welcome to have a life time experience in group of monuments, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous Descent of the Ganges, and the Shore Temple, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva; these have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, Post Bag No 4,Mamallapuram, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

South Asia's largest crocodile park (optional stop; you can skip if don't want visit)

Duration: 30 minutes

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

Five Rathas are mini shrines which are carved out of one rock constructed in the form of chariots. The Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna and Draupadi rathams have been carved out of one single boulder. The Chariots mark the evolution of Dravidian style of temple architecture. (here you need to get a entry ticket, the same ticket can be applicablebto visit Sea Shore temple as well)

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sea Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram India

This twin structure on the shore of Bay of Bengal is one of the oldest in South India and first line temple of Dravidian architecture. After coming under world heritage monument a huge wall has been built on one side to prevent it from further erosion.

Duration: 20 minutes

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

This base relief, is an extensive panel (27 metres long and 9 metres high of relief sculptures, with life size images. This carving on the rock wall is the largest Bas-relief in the world. This is pride of Mamallapuram of which the simple but rich carving appear to come alive any moment. The rock is in the shape of a whale and it faces the sea.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Varaha Cave Temple, Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram India

Two avatars of Lord Vishnu can be seen in this mandapam. On one wall is the scene of Lord Vishnu as Varaha (with a boar head), lifting Boomi Devi from under the ocean. On the other wall is the scene from Vamana avataram (dwarf brahmin boy).

Duration: 10 minutes

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

The boulder is approximately 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighs around 250 tons. It stands on an approximately 1.2-meter (4 ft) base on a slope, and is said to have been at the same place for 1200 years.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Mahishasuramardini Cave, Mahabalipuram India

On wall is depicted the scene of Goddess Durga mounted on a lion, destroying the evil asura with a buffalo head, Mahishasura. On the opposite wall is the scene of Lord Vishnu in repose (ananthasayanam) on the serpent Adisesha.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Tiger Cave, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

This was originally an open air theater used to organise cultural programs. The sculpture of loins and tigers on the entrance of the cave gives it the name of Tiger Caves. It is very calm and serene even though it is set along the sea coast.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: DakshinaChitra Museum, East Coast Road after MGM Dizzee world., Muttukadu 603 118 India

This museum, dedicated to south Indian culture, features a collection of 18 authentic historical houses from all over the region. Each one has been transported and reconstructed on the premises, and contains a contextual exhibition related to the lifestyle of the community that it belonged to.

Duration: 1 hour