The Charms Of Mahabalipuram In India

Thinking of planning a different trip? Or maybe you are looking for a destination full of discoveries? We offer you to enter a wonderful country: India. A place full of culture, history and, above all, beauty. Specifically, we want to bring you the city of Mahabalipuram, a paradise on the Asian continent. Prepared? Join us!

Mahabalipuram is a city located in the Kanchipuram district, within the state of Tamil Nadu. Specifically, in the southeastern part of the continent of India, next to the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. But there are many more things you should know about this city!

We present you Mahabalipuram

From its origins, Mahabalipuram has been a fishing village and later one of the most important ports in India. In fact, much of the trade to East Asia started from the port.

In addition, it has important historical monuments, World Heritage Sites since 1984. They are temples and sculptures that were built during the 7th and 9th centuries. At that time, India was ruled by the Pallava dynasty. In the midst of the decline of Buddhism, this dynasty filled this region with spirituality and new forms of culture and art.

However, some remains were not discovered until rather recently. In 2004, after the tsunami that devastated India, some of these remains appeared, which became the country’s historical heritage.

Today in Mahabalipuram

Due to its coastal situation, Mahabalipuram has become one of the main tourist destinations in India. Despite housing the remains of an important dynasty in its foundations, this coastal region has fully adapted to the needs of tourism.

The beach area is full of bars, restaurants, hotels and hostels that offer more than affordable prices. There are also souvenir shops. Specifically, the typical souvenir is a carved stone. In addition, both in the beach area and in the city you can find clothes, silks and crafts at good prices.

3 things to see in Mahabalipuram

Now that you have an idea of ​​what this city was and is, it is time for you to get to know the main tourist sites that are a must. These are!

1. Temple of the Shore

It is located on the seashore and was built during the years 700 and 728 AD It has a pyramidal shape and is made up of several pieces. It is 18 meters high and is accessed through a door that leads to the royal chapel.

It is dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Shiva and inside there are several monolithic sculptures. On the other hand, as it is located in a very special place, it is common to see tourists photographing the temple from various angles.

2. Pancha Rathas

It is a set of rocks sculpted throughout the 7th century. They attract a lot of tourists’ attention, especially a sculpture of a stone elephant, where they often pose for photographs.

The name of the complex refers to the five Pandava brothers: Yudhistir, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. The most famous of all is that of Nakula, which is where the sculpture of the famous elephant, called Gajaprishthakara , is  located.

3. The penance of Arjuna

It is the most famous landmark in Mahabalipuram. It consists of a fully sculpted panel 30 meters long and 12 meters high. Without a doubt, its immense size attracts the attention of many. So do the sculptures, which are of gods, animals, demi-gods and other Hindu legends.

This place is often referred to as the “Descent of the Ganges”, since it is carved in a cleft through which a spring of the same name ran. Furthermore, the monument’s sculptures are thought to tell the story of the descent of the Ganges River from heaven to earth with the guidance of King Bhagiratha.

Believers consider the waters of this sacred spring to have supernatural properties. However, there is a second theory that says that in the sculptures there is Arjuna, a hero of the Hindu culture, posing before Shiva.

Mahabalipuram is often said to be a place full of legends. One of them assures that there are seven temples submerged in the sea, belonging to a port city devastated by a tsunami due to the jealousy of the gods. The only one that has been discovered is the Temple of the Orilla. Awesome, right?