Mahabalipuram

Once a bustling port town, Mahabalipuram draws visitors because of its ancient temples and beautiful beach. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has an impressive temple complex dating back to the time of the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I Mammala in the 7th century AD. Named after the five Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi from the mythological epic Mahabharata, the monolithic temples known as the Five Rathas are among the most important monuments here. Even more magnificent, the sea-facing Shore Temple is one of the earliest free-standing temples in the region and has some extraordinary carvings on its walls. Other notable sights include the world's largest relief carving called Arjuna's Penance, the Mahishmardini Mandapa temple friezes dedicated to Durga, and the mysterious self-balancing boulder named Krishna's Butterball. After joining in the monument crawl, stop at the beachside restaurants nearby for a lunch of fresh seafood, where you can choose from fish, squids, king prawns, crabs or lobsters. Thanks to Mahabalipuram’s rich heritage and popularity as a beach destination, there are now a string of luxurious hotels and resorts in the area, such as the Grand Bay Resort and Spa, Radisson BLU Resort Temple Bay Mammallapuram and Ideal Beach Resort. Only 55 km away from Chennai, it also makes for a great day trip and is a popular stop for travellers heading to Pondicherry.