Place : Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu
Highlights: one of the longest Beach in India and magnificent monuments besides this beach.
Best time to visit: November to February

The old port town of Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, has a coastline spanning a distance of over 20 km with beautiful beaches. Located 58km from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road, the golden sandy beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills. 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. There is one of the oldest 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. Other places worth a visit while on a tour to the beach include the crocodile farm where about 5000 crocodiles of 6 different species, alligators and other reptiles are bred in captivity, kept in open, marshy enclosures, snake venom extracting centre and a school of art and sculpture.

Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu hosts a Dance Festival annually at Mahabalipuram during Jan- Feb. The festival which lasts for a month has exponents of classical dances like Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali.as well as folk dances perform in an open air stage against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. A wide choice of accommodation for longer stays are provided at various rates along the beach draw holiday seekers all round the year. Accommodation is available at Hotel Tamil Nadu (Beach Resorts Complex), Hotel Tamil Nadu II Camping Site and other beach resorts and lodges.

Contacts

Tamil Nadu Tourism complex
No:2, Wallahjah Road
Chennai- 600020
Phone: 044- 25368358
District Tourism Development Officer
Kancheepuram District
Mammallapuram- 603104
Phone: 04114-2442232

How to get there

Air: Chennai (58km) is the nearest airport with both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is connected with all the major places in India through the numerous domestic flights. International flights operate from various parts of the world to Chennai. Air timings (Chennai)
Rail: The nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29km) and Chennai (58km). From these stations one has to take road journey to reach Mamallapuram. Train timings (Chennai)
Road: Buses are available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mamallapuram daily. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai.

Accommodation

Golden Sun Hotel & Beach Resort
59, Kovelong Road, Mahabalipuram- 603 104
Tamil Nadu
Phone :+91-44-27442245,27442246,27442946
E-mail: Contact Us
GRT Temple Bay
Kovalam Road, Mamallapuram- 603104
Tamil Nadu
Phone : 04114 - 442251 / 52 / 53 / 54
Fax : 04114 - 442255 / 57
E-mail: Contact Us
Hotel Mamalla Heritage
104, East Raja Street, Mamallapuram-603104
Tamil Nadu
Phone : 044-27442060,27442260,27442360
E-mail: Contact Us
KG Emerald Beach Hotel
East Coast Road, Devaneri Village
Mahabalipuram-603104
Tamil Nadu
Phone : 954114 - 243339,
Fax : 044 - 24997577
E-mail: Contact Us
Vindodhara Guesthouse
4, Othavadai Cross Street
Mamallapuram
India