Guidebook for Mahabalipuram

Joseph Anto
Joseph Anto
Guidebook for Mahabalipuram

Food Scene

Cafe attached to Guest House. Fabulous espresso coffee, crepes, muesli, sandwiches, omelettes and more !
joe's cafe
no:5 Othavadai Cross Street
Cafe attached to Guest House. Fabulous espresso coffee, crepes, muesli, sandwiches, omelettes and more !

Sightseeing

UNESCO site and Icon on Mahabalipuram. 7th Century rock-cut former temple, displaying elaborate hand-carved designs. One of the oldest in the Dravidian style in Tamil Nadu and the last remaining of the "Seven Pagodas." Best time to visit early morning as the sun rises.
16 locals recommend
Shore Temple
Beach Road
16 locals recommend
UNESCO site and Icon on Mahabalipuram. 7th Century rock-cut former temple, displaying elaborate hand-carved designs. One of the oldest in the Dravidian style in Tamil Nadu and the last remaining of the "Seven Pagodas." Best time to visit early morning as the sun rises.
UNESCO site - 7th Century - Depiction of "Descent of the Ganges" carved into one large stone-face. An Icon of Mahabalipuram
Arjuna's Penance
UNESCO site - 7th Century - Depiction of "Descent of the Ganges" carved into one large stone-face. An Icon of Mahabalipuram
Museum created by one person of their personal collection of more than 40,000 sea shells from all over the world. The largest shell museum in India, including shark teeth and fossils. Well-displayed and informative. Includes and aquarium, shop and cafe.
India Seashell Museum
Museum created by one person of their personal collection of more than 40,000 sea shells from all over the world. The largest shell museum in India, including shark teeth and fossils. Well-displayed and informative. Includes and aquarium, shop and cafe.

Parks & Nature

7 locals recommend
Krishna's Butter Ball
East Raja Street
7 locals recommend

Arts & Culture

Excellent open-air display village of all South Indian traditional culture - housing styles, food and hand crafting skills from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. You can see up close how a Sari is made on a hand-loom, pottery, painting, embroidery and mehendi. A small but excellent Art Gallery, good restaurant on-site and shop to purchase locally made hand-crafts and books.
41 locals recommend
Dakshina Chitra Museum
State Highway 49
41 locals recommend
Excellent open-air display village of all South Indian traditional culture - housing styles, food and hand crafting skills from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. You can see up close how a Sari is made on a hand-loom, pottery, painting, embroidery and mehendi. A small but excellent Art Gallery, good restaurant on-site and shop to purchase locally made hand-crafts and books.

Essentials

All kind of groceries
TRY Super Market
All kind of groceries

Entertainment & Activities

Excellent surf school where you can take lessons from experienced instructors or hire surf and body boards. Mahabalipuram is a hidden gem for surfing, most of the year there is fantastic break and waves for beginners and seasoned surfers alike.
Mumu Surf School
Othavadai Street
Excellent surf school where you can take lessons from experienced instructors or hire surf and body boards. Mahabalipuram is a hidden gem for surfing, most of the year there is fantastic break and waves for beginners and seasoned surfers alike.

Getting Around

Local bus station for buses to Kanchipuram, Tambaram and Chennai.
East Raja Street
East Raja Street
Local bus station for buses to Kanchipuram, Tambaram and Chennai.