Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is an ancient temple city located on the shores of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. The city was built by the Pallava dynasty between the 7th and 9th centuries CE, and serves as an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.
Visitors to Mahabalipuram can explore a wide variety of temples and monuments, including the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, and the Pancha Pandava Rathas. The city is also home to a number of rock-cut caves, sculptured reliefs, and painted murals.
In recent years, Mahabalipuram has become a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world. This guide will provide an overview of the city’s history, attractions, and accommodation options.
Introduction
The temple city of Mamallapuram is an ancient coastal town and temple complex in Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Coromandel Coast, about 70 km from Chennai, India. It was once a port of trade between Ancient Greece and Egypt during the Greco-Roman period. The name "Mamallapuram" means "Grandeur of Vishnu".
About Mahabalipuram
If you are planning a trip to India, then Mamallapuram is one of the places that should be on your itinerary. Mamallapuram is located in Tamil Nadu and is one of the most popular temples in this region. It was built by Pallavas, who ruled over this area for several centuries. The temple city has been declared as a national monument by government officials because it has so many historical relics within its walls that date back to over 2 millennia ago!
The main attraction here is not just any old temple—it's got all kinds of cool stuff going on inside its walls too: murals depicting scenes from Hindu mythology; sculptures depicting deities such as Ganesh and Vishnu; lifelike statues depicting people doing everyday activities (like cooking food) or participating in festivals or dances—there are plenty more than can be seen during just one day's visit here!
Mamallapuram also boasts some wonderful beaches nearby where visitors can relax after exploring these sites close-by."
History of Mamallapuram
The word Mamallapuram means "the city of Mahals" in Tamil, which refers to the royal family of the Pallavas. It is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and about 40 km south of Chennai (formerly Madras).
The name, according to legend, comes from Mahalakshmi who was a princess in Pandyas dynasty who gave birth to two sons—Mahalakshmi-Vimala and Mahalakshmi-Muthaliar—who built this temple complex for their mother with the help of Kannagi's son Kannan.
Places to visit
Shore Temple: This is a highlight of Mahabalipuram. The Shore Temple is located on the shore and it was built by Rama I in 1450 AD. It has five Rathas, which are believed to be those of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, King Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna; Lord Brahma; Goddess Durga; Garuda who represents Vishnu; and Nandi (the vehicle or mount of Shiva). There are also several caves inside this temple complex where you can visit archeologists who have explored these ancient temples since they were first discovered by them.
Five Rathas:
These are located inside Shore Temple complex near an island called “Krishna Mandapam" or "Krishna's Wall". They represent five brothers from Pandava family who fought against demon king Prahlada (son) in order to protect him from being killed at his father's request because he didn't believe in Hinduism but rather practiced tantra (a kind of sorcery). This story became popular during medieval times due its religious similarities with Christianity so much so that when Europeans came across these structures in India centuries later they thought it was actually Christian architecture!
How To Reach
By Train:
The train station is located at Mahabalipuram, which has a railway link with Chennai (also known as Madras). There are trains that arrive at this station from all over India and also some international destinations like Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is Coimbatore Airport which lies about 70 km away from the temple city itself.
By Bus:
There are many buses that connect Mahabalipuram with nearby villages such as Alanganallur and Aranthangi during the day time hours when it rains heavily in Tamil Nadu state every year during monsoon season (June-September).
A historic city in Tamil Nadu, India.
It is a town located on the shore of Bay of Bengal, about 50 km south of Chennai. The city was named after the Mamallapuram Rajahs who ruled it from 1341 to 1736 AD.
Mamallapuram is known for its temples and other ancient structures built by them. Some of them are:
Conclusion
As you can see, there's a lot of history and beauty to Mamallapuram. It's one of the best places in India to visit if you want to spend some time exploring ancient monuments and learning about the culture that makes up this beautiful country!
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