Mahabalipuram

Various travel places in Mahabalipuram. Also know as Mamallapuram, this city of India is around 60 km south of Chennai. It is an ancient and historic town at least 100AD with sea ports and traders who went to South East Asia. As an old city during the 7th century, it is reign by Pallavas dynasty, there are many sanctuary built during that period. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classified as UNESCO world heritage site.

1. Shore Temple

Built in 700-728 AD, Shore temple got its name because its overlook the shore of the Bay of Bengal. The temple built with blocks of granite dating from the 8th century AD. At the time of built, the village was a busy port in the Pallava dynasty. The Shore temple is different from other monuments in Mahabalipuram as it is a building, not a carve rocks. 

2. Five Rathas

Dating from late 700AD, it is called Pancha Rathas or Pandava Rathas, each of the monument resembles a chariot (ratha) and carve over a single, long stone or monolith, of granite which slopes in the north-south direction with a slight incline. Sometimes mistakenly referred to as temples, but the structures never completed, therefore no one knows why they are built.

3. Arjuna's Penance

This place is also known as the Descent of the Ganges. It is a giant bas-relief filled with detailed carvings, including a family of elephants and monkeys.

4. Varaha Cave Temple

The cave depict the impressive carving of Vishnu, Gakalakshmi, Trivikama and Durga. It is believe to be built during the 7th century.

5. Krishna’s Butterball

This is a giant natural rock perched on a hillside which looks to defy the laws of physics. It is a popular tourist attraction, many tourists like to take picture of themselves holding the rock from underneath it which make them look like they are holding the rock up.

6. Mahishamardini Cave

The cave present the carving of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati and Murugan. The cave were carved out from a rock which represent the professional in rock carving around this area.

 

7.Light house

The light house provide the view across the area to the sea in the distant. There are several unfinished temples nearby as well.

Madurai

Various travel sites in Madurai. This city is the third largest in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Coimbatore. Madurai history dated back to about 2500 years and gets it prosperity from trading with the Romans and China.

1. Meenakshi Sundrareswarar Temple

Dedicate to Parvati. This very big temple have 4 gateway towers with the hight of about 50 meters. Inside situate a big pond and many beautiful sculpture. Although in the most inner part are permitted to only Hindu people.

2.Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Built during Thirumalai Nayak of the Madurai's Nayara dynasty who ruled madurai from 1623 - 1659, This palace is where the king's lived. This palace is considered to be one of the wonders of the South.

3.Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple

Kanchipuram

Various place to be in Kanchipuram. This city situated about 76 km. from Chennai or about 2 hours by car. It is 1 of 7 holy city in India. This city used to be the capital of Pallava dynasty. This city is well known for its hand woven silk sparees as well.

1. Kailasanatha Temple (Old temple)

Build dedicated to the Lord Shiva during 685 AD, it is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram

Kailasanatha Temple

2.Ekambareshvara Temple

The largest temple in Kanchipuram. This temple is one of the most ancient in India. Its been in existence since at least 600 AD. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with the gateway reach 59m tall. This temple represent the element "earth" (it is one of the five temple representing natural element. It is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city.

Ekambareshvara Temple

Ekambareshvara Temple (Front)

3.Kamakshi Temple

4.Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

Dedicated to God Vishnu, this temple is believe to have been built by the Pallava king during 690 AD. This temple is famous for the unique sculpture of God Vishnu with standing sitting and lying down which can't be found in other places.

Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

5.Mukteswara Temple

6.Varadaraj Perumal Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in suburb of the holy city of Kanchipuram. This temple of one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavites. It is orgiginally built by Cholas in 1053 situate within huge 23-acre complex.

Chennai

Tourist Attraction in Chennai

Various famous tourist attraction in Chennai to choose from

1. Elliot Beach

The favourite rendezvous for youngsters, it is named after Edward Elliot, who was the Governor of Madras at that time. The beach is home to The Karl Schmidt Memorial which commemorates a Dutch mariner, who died here while saving a man from drowning.

2. Santhome Basilica

The Santhome Basilica gets its name from St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus, who is believed to have come to India sometime in 52 AD. The cathedral was constructed at the site where the remains of St. Thomas were entombed. Situated to the south of Marina Beach, the present structure has seen several renovations after the foundation stone was laid on 2 nd July, 1523. A statue of Virgin Mary, imported from Portugal is also housed here

3. Kapaleeswarar Temple

The original Kapaleeswarar Temple was built in the 7th century by the Pallava kings but was destroyed by the Portuguese. The present structure was built in the 16th century by the Vijayanagar 

kings. It has beautiful paintings and bronze sculptures of the 63 Saivaite Saints in the courtyard. 

24, Santhome High Road, Mylapore; 

Open: Tamil 6am, 8.15am, 6pm; English 7am, 9.30am, 12noon; 

Phone: +91-44-24985455

4. Valluvar Kottam Kodambakkam 

The carved temple on a chariot is a memorial of Tiruvalluvar, the renowned Tamil poet-saint; its structure reminds one of the temple chariots of Thiruvarur. It houses his life-size figure and all 133 chapters from Thirukkural depicted in bas-relief. The auditorium here can accommodate up to 4,000 people at a time. 

(Island Grounds; Indian/ Foreigner: `5/ 100; : 10am-5pm; Closed on Friday)

6.T Government museum

Pantheon Road, Egmore

Phone: +91-44-28193238/ 28193778 Timings:9.30am-5pm Closed:Friday & National Holidays 

Entry Fee:Adult/ Child/ Student- `15/ 10/ 5 (Indian); 

Adult/ Child/ Student- `250/ 125/ 75 (Foreigner) 

Camera/ Video: `200/ 500 per camera

7.MGR Memorial

Situate on Marina beach, Chennai

8.T Nagar Market

One of the most crowded markets of Chennai, the place is visited for its variety of silk and gold products. It is said to be one of the biggest markets in South India.

9.Fort St.George (Near train station)(Museam)

It was built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. It is a military architecture marvel, which was erected as a trading post and later evolved to be the origin of modern Indian Army. Situated in the coastal state of Tamil Nadu, this ancient monument is worth watching on your trip to Chennai. St. George Fort holds great historical importance and is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. 

Museum entrance fee: 2USD

11.Chennai Train Station

11.Kalakshetra (The temple of art)

The state is well known for its contribution to Bharatnatyam. It has many gurukuland training institutes that create future exponents. One of them is Kalakshetra, the school of famous 

danseuse Rukmini Devi Arundale who founded it in 1936; it came to be also known as ‘The Temple of Arts’. The centre provides training to young students and has played a prominent role in keeping alive the classical heritage.

Tiruvanmiyur; Open10am-6pm; : +91-44-24521169