Tamil Nadu · UNESCO site · Coast
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), south of Chennai, holds a group of Pallava-era rock-cut monuments that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is about 490 km from Mysuru, about 8.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1 day here. Tamil Nadu Tourism recommends November to February, when the weather is more pleasant, about 20-30°C.
Why travellers go
It is an easy day trip from Chennai, with temples by the sea and carved boulders.
- Suggested time
- 1 day
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Good for
- UNESCO site, Coast
Best-known sights in Mahabalipuram
- Shore Temple: A structural Shiva temple of dressed granite on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, built around 700 AD; part of the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments. Sea wind has worn away many carvings; go early for softer light.
- Pancha Rathas: Five monolithic 7th-century temples, each carved from a single rock and named after the Pandavas and Draupadi, with large carved animal figures, including an elephant, beside them.
- Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganges): A huge open-air rock relief, one of the largest in the world, full of carved elephants, monkeys and gods.
- Krishna's Butter Ball: A giant natural boulder balanced on a sloping hillside.
- Varaha Cave Temple: A 7th-century rock-cut cave temple with carved panels of Vishnu as Varaha, Gajalakshmi, Trivikrama and Durga.
- Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple: One of the rock-cut cave temples on the hill, listed by Tamil Nadu Tourism among the town's sights.
- Mamallapuram Lighthouse: A lighthouse from 1887 with a spiral staircase to the top and views over the monuments.
- Tiger Cave, Saluvankuppam: A rock-cut shrine north of town known for its ring of carved tiger heads.
- Mahabalipuram Beach: The town beach beside the Shore Temple, also used for surfing. The sea can turn rough with sudden dips; take care before going in.
How many days do you need in Mahabalipuram?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Shore Temple in the early morning
- Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganges)
- Krishna's Butter Ball
- Varaha Cave Temple
- Pancha Rathas
- Lighthouse view in the afternoon
Two days
- Day 1: Shore Temple in the early morning, Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram Beach
- Day 2: Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball, Varaha and Mahishasuramardini cave temples, Lighthouse, Tiger Cave, Saluvankuppam
Three days
- Day 1: Shore Temple in the early morning, Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram Beach
- Day 2: Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball, Varaha and Mahishasuramardini cave temples, Lighthouse
- Day 3: Tiger Cave, Saluvankuppam, Sculpture Museum, Mamallapuram Seashell Museum
How to reach Mahabalipuram from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 465 km, via Bengaluru and then the Bengaluru-Chennai route to Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu. it is about 6 hours of driving, but with Bengaluru traffic allow a full day.
- By train
- No railway station in Mahabalipuram. Take a train towards Chennai (for example to Katpadi, about 7 hours) and continue by road; Chengalpattu station is about 23 km away and Chennai about 57 km.
- By bus
- A direct IntrCity bus runs once a day from Mysuru, about 9 hours.
- By air
- Fly from Bengaluru to Chennai International Airport, about 55 km from Mahabalipuram.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 330-350 km, about 7 hours, via Kolar, Chittoor, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu, or via Hosur and Krishnagiri.
- By train
- No station in town. Go by train to Chennai and continue by road (57 km), or to Chengalpattu, the nearest station, about 23 km away.
- By bus
- Bus services run from Bengaluru to Mahabalipuram; frequent buses also run from Chennai, about an hour along the East Coast Road.
- By air
- Fly to Chennai International Airport, about 55 km away; a taxi takes about 1 to 1½ hours.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Mahabalipuram
Tamil Nadu Tourism recommends November to February, when the weather is more pleasant, about 20-30°C. November is usually the wettest month of the north-east monsoon, so December to February is drier. April to June is hot, with highs of 34-38°C.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Pleasant, about 20-29°C Indian Dance Festival season (see unverified). |
| Feb | Pleasant and dry, about 20-30°C |
| Mar | Warm and dry, about 22-32°C |
| Apr | Hot, about 26-34°C |
| May | Very hot, about 28-38°C Hottest month. |
| Jun | Very hot, some showers, about 27-37°C |
| Jul | Hot, some showers, about 26-36°C |
| Aug | Hot, showers, about 26-35°C |
| Sep | Hot, showers, about 25-34°C |
| Oct | Warm, north-east monsoon rain, about 24-32°C About 240 mm of rain. |
| Nov | Warm, wettest month, about 22-29°C About 313 mm of rain; the sea can be rough. |
| Dec | Pleasant, showers easing, about 21-29°C About 178 mm of rain. |
Tips for visiting Mahabalipuram
- One day ticket covers all the ASI monuments in town, so you can visit them in any order.
- The East Coast Road from Chennai is a toll road with one lane each way and no divider, so overtaking is risky.
- The sea can have sudden dips and often gets rough; avoid swimming when waves are high.
- Agree the taxi fare before you start, and be ready to politely turn away unofficial guides.
- Most restaurants close by about 11pm and the town is quiet late at night.
Photos
Travel Trendzz and Mahabalipuram
Travel Trendzz has no published package for Mahabalipuram yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.
Questions about Mahabalipuram
What is the best time to visit Mahabalipuram?
November to February is the best time to visit Mahabalipuram, according to Tamil Nadu Tourism. The weather is cooler, about 20-30°C. November is usually the wettest month, so December to February is drier for walking between monuments. April to June is very hot, with highs of 34-38°C.
How far is Mahabalipuram from Bengaluru and Mysuru?
Mahabalipuram is about 330-350 km from Bengaluru, roughly 7 hours by road via Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu. From Mysuru it is about 465 km, through Bengaluru. There is no railway station in town; Chengalpattu is about 23 km away, and Chennai airport about 55 km.
Is Mahabalipuram a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It includes the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and the rock-cut cave temples, built mostly in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Pallava kings.
How many days are enough for Mahabalipuram?
One to two days are enough for Mahabalipuram. In one day you can see the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball and the Pancha Rathas. A second day gives time for the cave temples, the lighthouse view, the Tiger Cave and a slow evening on the beach.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Mahabalipuram?
Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Mahabalipuram on request.
Places near Mahabalipuram
All Tamil Nadu destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
Plan your Mahabalipuram trip
Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.
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