Mamallapuram Audio Tour
Welcome to the seaside town of Mamallapuram, an ancient port steeped in history and home to awe-inspiring monuments. This tour takes you back 1300 years, when the place was ruled by the Pallava dynasty. The Pallava kings were known to be great builders, and Mamallapuram was their workshop. The city is now a living museum, filled with stories of a fascinating period in Indian history. What was life like back then? How did sculptors of the time build magnificent structures out of immovable rock? What do stone inscriptions tell us about the evolution of local languages? Trace the history of temple building in South India. Listen to stories of cursed kings and powerful sages, of vengeful goddesses and wise demons carved into the walls. And follow the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms as you explore the most iconic sights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience history like never before with the Mamallapuram audio tour.
This audio tour is brought to you in partnership with Tamil Nadu Tourism and the Archaeological Survey of India. We wish to thank the Aseema Trust and their benefactors for making this tour available to all users at no cost.
Key Information
Gallery
Yaali Mandapam
Arjuna's Penance
Front view of Ganesha Ratha. The shrine now houses Ganesha, not Shiva
Front view of the unfinished Raya Gopuram
Stone-cut steps leading to Olakkannesvara Temple atop the hill
Five Rathas complex
Athiranachanda Cave
Varaha Tank, Shore Temple
Krishna's Butterball
Highlights
A climb to the top of the Lighthouse offers you a unique view of the entire complex.
Don’t miss Krishna’s Butterball, a rock that defies all laws of physics!
Preview
Sample stories from this trail
Tips and Suggestions
The monuments at Mamallapuram are open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, on all days of the week. The Lighthouse complex closes at 5:00 PM.
The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is closed from 12:00 PM till 3:00 PM daily, and the innermost sanctum of that temple is open only to Hindus. That innermost sanctum of the temple is not covered on this trail.
Best time: Go as early as you can. The walk is best done between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM or between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Afternoons can get quite hot, especially between April and July.
Shore Temple & Five Rathas and Krishna's Butter Ball
Indian Citizens: Rs. 40
Foreign Travellers: Rs. 600
Children under 15: Free
Tiger Cave Complex
Indian Citizens: Rs. 25
Foreign Travellers: Rs. 300
*The timings and ticket prices are subject to change. Please visit https://asichennai.gov.in/ to enquire about the latest updates before your visit.
Mamallapuram
Five Rathas, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
Season: The best time to visit is October to March when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. Temperatures can be quite high from April to June, so it is advisable to visit earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Attire: Dress comfortably, taking the heat into account. Hats, sunglasses and umbrellas are strongly recommended.
Distances: Mamallapuram is about 60 km from Chennai. The monuments around Varaha Cave, including the Lighthouse and Arjuna’s Penance bas-relief are all within walking distance of each other. The Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Tiger Cave are best reached through a vehicle.
Photography: Photography is permitted. However, you have to buy camera tickets.
Useful Links
Tamil Nadu Tourism/ Mamallapuram: https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/mahabalipuram
Incredible India/ Mamallapuram: https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/tamil-nadu/mamallapuram
UNESCO World Heritage Convention/ Mamallapuram: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/249/