mamalapuram

About 60 km from Chennai, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, lies the ancient and once busy port of Mamallapuram. Ancient and exquisite monuments, caves and temples are mute witnesses to Mamallapuram's days of glory during the reign of the Pallavas from the 5th to the 8th centuries A.D.



Most of the temples and rock carvings here were completed during the reigns of Narsimha Varman I and Narsimha Varman II, that is between 630 A.D. and 728 A.D. Today, some truly remarkable pieces of architecture dot the entire vicinity. The seven monolithic granite rathas or chariots of the Pandavas are a feat in themselves. A massive 27 metres by 9 metres stone bas-relief represents perhaps Arjuna's penance or, as some believe, Ganga's descent from the heavens. Then there are the nine rock-cut cave temples. But perhaps the most marvellous and striking of all is the glorious and majestic 7th century Shore Temple, withstanding the furious onslaught of the sea for ages.

ACCESS

The Chennai International Airport is 60 km away from where one can proceed by road. The nearest railhead is Chengalpattu, 32 km on the Chennai-Tiruchi section of the Southern Railway. Mamallapuram is also connected by road with Chennai,Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and other towns by a regular bus service. Taxis are easily available.

ACCOMMODATION

Fisherman's Cove (5-star Deluxe), Covelong Beach, Chingleput-MGR, District, Chennai-603 112. Phones: 04114-44304. Fax: 04114-44303.

Temple Bay Ashok Beach Resort (3 star), Mamallapuram-603 104. Phone: 251-257.

Golden Sun , 59, Kovelong Road, Mamallapuram-603 014. Phones:041113-42245, 42246. Fax: 044-944444.

Silversands (3 star) Kovelong Road, Mahabalipuram-603 104. Phones: 04113-42228, 42283. Fax: 42280, 42580.

V.G.P Golden Beach Resort, East Coast Road, Injambakkam. Phone: 4926445-6.

Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC), Beach Resort Complex, Phone: 42235, 42361-5; Fax: 42268.

Hotel Tamil nadu (TTDC), Unit-II, Camping site. Phone: 42287.

Mamallapuram Youth Hostel, Mamallapuram-603 104. Phone: 87