10 Best Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram For An Unforgettable Experience

A picture of Mahabalipuram, showcasing the beautiful places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram is a beautiful place and there are ample places to visit in Mahabalipuram. This is the enchanting town of Tamil Nadu with marvellous seaside and striking historical importance. This town contains numerous attractions where beauty meets history and it is a perfect place for those who need a reveal from modern life. Mahabalipuram is filled with many temples, monuments and other attractions for people who want to relax and feel nature. Discover these selected wonderful places that contribute to the cuteness of the town and are ready to boost its tourism factor.

10 Best Places To Visit In Mahabalipuram

Here are some of the best places to visit in Mahabalipuram for a great sightseeing during your amazing trip to Tamil Nadu:

1. Shore Temple

An image of the Shore Temple, one of the best places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Photo: 青枫161118 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

The Shore Temple is the foremost tourist attraction in Mahabalipuram. It is one of the biggest attractions in Mahabalipuram and belongs to World Heritage Sites. Shrine Temple, constructed in the 8th century, is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It has ornamental or carving work that illustrates several gods and goddesses. Because of its aesthetically pleasing, peaceful atmosphere and anamorphosis to the sea, the temple attracts many tourists. They can capture an impressive picture of themselves in it and pray at the same time.

Entry Fee: ₹10 and ₹250 for locals and foreigners respectively
Location: Near Mahabalipuram Beach
Best Time To Visit: October to March (temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C)

2. Arjuna’s Penance

A view of Arjuna's Penance’s carvings, one of the best places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Photo: stux / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Arjuna’s Penance is a completely natural, massive sculpture and the perfect tourist place in Mahabalipuram. Arjuna’s Penance narrates the story of Arjuna of Mahabharata. This spans a distance of 27 metres in length and there are wonderful carvings of the gods, the animals and anthropomorphic celestial beings. This historical site should be on any history lovers’ and art lovers’ list of places to visit. It provides a view of the work of masters of the past.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: Near Shore Temple
Best Time To Visit: November to February

3. Pancha Rathas

An image of Pancha Rathas’ temples, one of the best tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram.

Photo: sreesai / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Of all the places to visit in Mahabalipuram, Pancha Rathas is the most pleasing one. This place indicates the meaning of Five Chariots, which is a cluster of Monolithic Temples. Each ratha is unique and individual since it is dedicated to particular deities, making it an architectural achievement. Travellers can observe outside carvings, and marvel at the craftsmanship of some of the exterior building works. These are as old as the 7th century AD. You can get to feel the history of Mahabalipuram tourist places that come with such statuesque buildings.

Entry Fee: ₹20 and ₹250 for locals and foreigners respectively
Location: 2 km from Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March (temperatures between 22°C and 28°C)

4. Mahabalipuram Beach

A picture of Mahabalipuram Beach that is one of the top places to visit in Mahabalipuram.

Photo: bdh2008-1 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

In the Mahabalipuram tourist places list, Mahabalipuram beach holds the fourth position. Mahabalipuram Beach is peaceful and famous for the sunset. By itself, the beach is perfect for lying about, taking a swim, and just enjoying beach-related activities. This beach here stretches gently into the water. This is perfect for families or lovers intending to relax while the stalls on the beach serve food and traditional meals.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March

5. Krishna’s Butter Ball

An image of Krishna's Butter Ball.

Photo: smitakhanna / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Krishna’s Butter Ball is a ball that is one of the best places for the Mahabalipuram trip. It is a giant boulder that is placed on the slope. This natural site pulls crowds of people who love to take photos and admire its rather strange positioning. It is an ideal picnic site and a perfect natural site to engage in some form of recreation and serenity. There are also some beautiful views around the rock and the place attracts both the citizens and visitors as well.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: 1 km from Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October

6. Mahabalipuram Archaeological Museum

 An image of the Mahabalipuram Archaeological Museum showcasing the history.

Photo: Vellupura / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Mahabalipuram Archaeological Museum holds the sixth position in the Mahabalipuram tourist places list. It is located near the city of Chennai. The Mahabalipuram Archaeological Museum has many sculptures, artefacts and historical materials. Mahabalipuram Archaeological Museum helps people discover the histories of the town and the craftsmanship of the artists of those periods. It is an excellent source of information. There are many boards and models throughout the museum of Mahabalipuram and the surroundings.

Entry Fee: ₹10 and ₹100 for Indians and foreigners respectively
Location: Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March

7. The Descent Of The Ganges

A detailed view of The Descent Of The Ganges rock carving, another top place.

Photo: Simon / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

From the places for the Mahabalipuram trip, the Descent of The Ganges is one of the largest. It has the most detailed carvings positioned as showing the river Ganges descending onto the earth’s surface, known as Arjuna’s Penance. This stunning masterpiece is an important reminder of the region’s history and art and draws people from all over. This is an ideal piece of Dravidian art which is very suitable for photography. Each figure depicts a mythological or spiritual tale, giving the visitor a great experience.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: Near Shore Temple
Best Time To Visit: November to February (cooler weather)

8. Tiger Cave

An image of the Tiger Cave ancient rock-cut with its scenic coastal backdrop.

Photo: Lenzatic / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Of all the places to visit in Mahabalipuram, the Tiger Cave is an ancient rock-cut temple. It is specially located in the coastal area which offers a beautiful environment and less crowd. It possesses good carvings and is suitable for visiting as a picturesque place to have a rest by nature. It offers visitors a good opportunity to wander around and enjoy a quiet time in the shadow of trees or take a beautiful walk along the coast.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: 5 km from Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March (pleasant climate)

9. Olakkannesvara Temple

An image of the Olakkannesvara Temple, showcasing the ancient and vibrant architecture.

Photo: lapping / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

There is Olakkannesvara Temple in the list of Mahabalipuram tourist places. It became a place of interest among tourists because of its beautiful architecture and the calm atmosphere. It is one of the best places to meditate and relax on this island without being crowded with the leading tourist attractions. Its scenic localization and detailed statues indicate a special site for meditators and those who only want to embrace the tranquillity of Mahabalipuram.

Entry Fee: Free
Location: Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March (mild temperatures)

10. Crocodile Bank

An image of the Crocodile Bank–a conservation centre, with various species on display.

Photo: miniformat65 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

As the name suggests, Crocodile Bank is a conservation centre formed with a main speciality of protecting reptiles, especially crocodiles. It has been a tourist attraction in Mahabalipuram for a long period. They are informative for tourists and allow them to receive various types of guided tours related to various species. It’s an especially interesting place for children and lovers of wildlife. It is possible to get a closer look at the animals and even touch them due to the program for safe interaction with the animals.

Entry Fee: ₹50 and ₹100 for Indians and foreigners respectively
Location: 14 km from Mahabalipuram
Best Time To Visit: October to March (cool and pleasant)

The choice of the places to visit in Mahabalipuram is impressive with beautiful natural views, history and culture. As you can see starting from Shore Temple to the beautiful sandy beaches, it is a place worth visiting. Tourists can engage themselves with energetic history and breathtaking scenery that characterise this seaside city. Arrange your trip to visit these wonderful sites, and make an unforgettable holiday in this stunning province of Tamil Nadu. So, plan your trip with TripXL and explore this beautiful destination with ease.

Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Question

Yes, it’s accessible throughout the year, but the best time is from October to March.
There are multiple shopping places in Mahabalipuram some of them are, Grand Square, Grand Galada Mall, and Sathya Bazar.
Explore ancient temples, enjoy beach activities, and visit local markets.
Yes, local transport options are available, but hiring a taxi is advisable for convenience.
A 2-3 day trip is ideal to explore the main attractions and enjoy the scenic beauty of Mahabalipuram at a relaxed pace.

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