Mahabalipuram
Pallava-era seaside port of rock-cut shrines, giant reliefs and a granite temple on the surf line.
Location
About this audio guide
This guide to Mahabalipuram, the old Pallava port south of Chennai, begins on the morning of the twenty-sixth of December, two thousand four, when fishermen and tourists watched the Bay of Bengal pull away from this beach. It weaves in the sailors' legend of the Seven Pagodas and the underwater archaeologist who came to read what the sea had left behind. Best heard facing the Shore Temple, with the water in view.
This audio guide was created using AI.
Similar places
Mahabalipuram Shore Temple
Eighth-century granite temple on the sea's edge, with twin Shiva shrines and a reclining Vishnu.
Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas)
Seventh-century monolithic temples carved from one pink granite outcrop, beside a stone elephant.
Arjuna's Penance
Colossal Pallava-era rock relief of gods, ascetics, elephants and a sly praying cat across twin boulders.
Krishna's Butter Ball
Giant granite boulder perched on a steep rock slope, seemingly defying gravity for centuries.
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple
Pallava-founded Vishnu temple whose moustached Krishna bears battle scars, with a sacred lily tank.
Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple
Seaside shrine to the eight forms of Lakshmi, stacked over several levels in the shape of Om.