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Things To Do At Mamallapuram Beach

Things To Do At Mamallapuram Beach (2024)

Mamallapuram is a heavenly abode in the state of Tamil Nadu. When you first hear about Mamallapuram, a beach destination is not going to be the first thought in your mind. However, you will be surprised to know that Mamallapuram has some of the most beautiful beaches on India’s east coast. Mamallapuram is also known for having several UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments, and it is also a thriving backpacker paradise. Despite all this, Mamallapuram is also frequented by tourists who want to simply relax on the untouched beaches of this town.

Mamallapuram is a 7th-century seaport that was a bustling trade hub under the Pallava dynasty and today has become an open-air gallery of sorts to the Pallava dynasty’s breathtaking architecture. The town of Mamallapuram is also known as Mahabalipuram, famous for the legend of King Mahabali, who was annihilated by Lord Vishnu. However, the city has recently been renamed Mamallapuram in honor of the renowned king of the Pallava ruler, Narasimha I, who was given the title of Mamalla, which means ‘a great fighter.’

About Mamallapuram Beach

The Mahabalipuram Beach, now known as the Mamallapuram Beach, is located just around 60 km away from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The Mamallapuram beach lies on the coast of Bay of Bengal and is made up of many rock-cut sculptures that are a pleasing sight to the eyes.

About Mamallapuram Beach, Mamallapuram, Tamilnadu
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The town of Mamallapuram is also famous for its many caves, huge rathas, chariots, and temples that make it a perfect vacation spot.

Things To Do At Mamallapuram Beach

On the east coast of India, Mamallapuram Beach is the ideal place to have a relaxing vacation. This gives you the perfect opportunity to give yourself a break from the stresses of daily life and people from near and far come to spend a few days in the serenity of the Mamallapuram Beach. The natural sunbathing at the beach is a popular pastime amongst visitors here. Swimming, windsurfing, and many other watersports ensure that all visitors have a fantastic time at the beach. In fact, there is some or other activity for all ages. Diving, sunbathing, motor boating, and windsurfing are just some of the activities you can indulge in here.

Things To Do At Mamallapuram Beach, Tamilnadu

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And that’s not the end of it – to attract more tourists, in recent years, the Mamallapuram beach has also added several exciting places, including a crocodile bank, which has over 5000 crocodiles from as many as six different species. There is also a school of art and sculpture and a unique snake venom extraction center. It is possible to schedule a guided tour of the snake venom extraction center to see for yourself how things are done.

There are also various resorts and beach shacks dotting the beach, and they offer all sorts of delicious foods for the hungry traveler. The scintillating atmosphere of the beach topped with crystal clear golden sand all around is surrounded by rising hills and the sparkling waters of the Bay of Bengal.

The town of Mamallapuram is a popular tourist destination owing to its beautiful shore temples that were constructed during the Pallava dynasty. This is why the strategic location of the Mamallapuram Beach, nestled between the lagoon and rocks, makes it a perfect combination of tourism, beaches, and history, and tourists get to have a taste of everything.

The beach stretches for nearly 20 km, and there are numerous smaller beaches located along the coastline that allows you the perfect spots for relaxation.

It is a great idea to plan your trip at the time of the dance festival of Mahabalipuram. Organized by the Department of Tourism by the Government of Tamil Nadu every year, and you will be in for a treat as extremely talented classical dancers perform on the beach, against the perfect backdrop of the Bay of Bengal.Things To Do At Mamallapuram Beach

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A trip to the Shore Temple is also a must when you are visiting the Mahabalipuram Beach. This is the most famous temple located on the water’s edge and is also known to be one of the most ancient stone temples in Tamil Nadu. You can also go shopping and buy some stone sculptures for which the city is famous for. Most of the carvings you see on the walls of the Shore Temple have been done during the 7th century under the Pallava dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage monument, and you will need to buy a ticket to visit these monuments. Apart from the Shore Temple, there are also five rathas or chariots that are must-visit. The tickets cost INR 500 for foreign citizens and INR 30 for Indians.

If you want to explore more of the town apart from the beach, there is a hill located on the western side of the city, which is worth visiting, especially if you are an adventure lover and want to go on a trek. Many visitors hike up to the hill to watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset.

There are also numerous other attractions, including a balanced rock that is known as the butterball of Krishna, a lighthouse, exquisitely carved monuments, and of course, innumerable temples.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Mamallapuram Beach?

Mahabalipuram is known for having a hot and humid climate during the months of May to June, with temperatures reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius. The months of September to December, the town experience moderate to heavy rainfalls, and it can pose problems with getting around the town. The ideal time to visit Mamallapuram is between the months of November to February, when the temperatures goes down to a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius but does not fall beyond 20 degrees. This time period also sees the climate remain dry and cold and well under control, allowing you to visit the Mamallapuram Beach at any time of the day or night. Watching the sunrise and sunset at the Mamallapuram Beach is a favorite activity of not just locals, but tourists as well.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Mamallapuram Beach?
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Is Mamallapuram Beach Safe?

It is important to remember that the Bay of Bengal at Mamallapuram has very strong currents. Take extreme caution if you are going for swimming, especially if you are going into the waters near the Shore Temple.

Is Mamallapuram Beach Safe?Image Source

How to Reach Mamallapuram Beach?

The Mamallapuram Beach is located just around 30 km from Chengalpattu and 60 km from Chennai, so you can easily reach the beach by road. There are also several buses that ply from Pondicherry/Puducherry, Kanchipuram, Chennai, and Chengalpattu to Mamallapuram regularly. You can also hire a taxi or cab from Chennai to reach Mamallapuram Beach.

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