Mahabalipuram Beach also known as Mamallapuram Beach this beach on the shores of the Bay of Bengal has a coastline spanning a distance of over 20 km with beautiful beaches. It is located 58 km from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road, the golden sandy beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills.
This Beach is identified as the most pristine beaches of Tamil Nadu; the beach attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. The beach is an idle place for sunbathing and lazing around. The sea is rough and swimming is not recommended.
Mahabalipuram beach also has some ancient historical monuments in its close proximity and this is the main reason of attraction of this beach. Mahabalipuram is famous for its shore temples in South India built by the Pallava King Rajasimha in the early 8th century and the world’s largest bas-relief, the ‘Penance of Arjuna’, which is 96ft long and 43 ft high, the five rathas and the tiger’s cave along the beach.
On the way to Mahabalipuram Beach is Dakshinachitra, 28 km from Chennai, a heritage space with exhibitions and workshops of the arts and crafts including traditional home architecture and performing artists of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Mahabalipuram beach itself isn’t particularly special, but the town is full of interesting temples, including the windswept Shore Temple right on the water’s edge. Mahabalipuram is also known for its stone sculpture industry and rock cut caves. Two of the main attractions are the Five Rathas (sculptured temples in the shape of chariots), and Arjuna’s Penance (a huge carving on the face of a rock depicting scenes from the Mahabharatha). The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held during January at Arjuna’s Penance. For delicious food try the family run, airy rooftop Gecko Cafe, on the way to the Shore Temple.
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