Mahabalipuram, is known as the Land of Seven Pagodas, as recorded by the European merchant and writer Marco Polo in his travelogues, The Travels of Marco Polo. Situated about 58km from the city of Chennai, Mahabalipuram is a prominent tourist landmark of South India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. During the reign of the Pallava Dynasty, Mahabalipuram was a thriving seaport and trade town in the 7th century, and served as the gateway of Southeast Asia for fostering trade between the East and the West.
Declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site, Mahabalipuram history dates back to over 2000 years, and what remains now of this glorious heritage are the open bas air reliefs carved out of giant monolithic granite stones, and are the largest of this kind in the world. Besides revisiting the rich and unforgettable history of Mahabalipuram, tourists flock to the Mahabalipuram Beach to unwind and relax, and with plenty of resort options to choose from near the East Coast Road, the possibilities to explore the ancient seaport town are endless.
Today, Mahabalipuram Beach is a chilled-out beach getaway, and a thriving backpacker’s destination for tourists, lined with resorts, hotels, and private properties that open up to breath-taking views of the beach, as far as the eye could wander. No wonder, it is an ideal place for a weekend holiday, along the ECR route and is just under an hour’s drive from Chennai. Also, the beach resorts offer corporate packages that include entertainment and leisure with sea facing accommodation, nature trails, historical walking tours, kayaking, stand-up paddling and much more, for large groups, tourists, and families.
On request, the locals can arrange for sea cruises with fishermen for angling, and outdoor activities are found in plenty for tourists, from off-road sports, wind-surfing, yoga and meditation retreats, motor boating, rafting, banana-riding, boat cruises, and swimming. Also, don’t miss the Indian Seashell Museum, about 100km away from the Mahabalipuram Beach, and is notably the world’s second largest seashell museum, and on display are more than 40,000 seashells from all around the world, in different shapes, colors, and sizes.
The shores of the silvery sand beach are lined with mounds of rocks over one another, and the best times to visit during the day would be between 6 am-7am and 5pm-7pm. For surfing, the perfect waves to surf are between June-September, after which, the waves fall flat and are suitable for kayaking and paddle boats. Other activities to indulge besides the beach, is to take a village bicycle tour, learn to surf, get a cooking lesson, enjoy a relaxing spa and massage session, and treat yourself to some of the most authentic and mouth-watering delicacies of South India.
The best time of the year to visit Mahabalipuram Beach is between October – March, as the weather gets more pleasant, and is also the season of the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival held every year, from late December- January conducted at an open-air stone gallery. There is plenty in store, for tourists to experience and savor from the rich culture, history, and a trip to the Mahabalipuram Beach cannot be ruled out. It is a travel back in time, etched in history and surrounded with ancient stories, Mahabalipuram and its age-defying stone sculptures are a priceless treasure of South India.
Address
Mahabalipuram Beach,
Kancheepuram District,
Tamil Nadu 603104
Directions: Google Maps
Support
Phone: 1800-425-3111 (Tamil Nadu Tourism)
Phone: 044-25333444 /25333333
