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Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company

477 Reviews 4.96 out of 5 stars Based on 477 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Chennai, India
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from $108 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Shore temple, Mahabalipuram tour
Pancha rathe, Mahabalipuram tour
Mahabalipuram sculpture
Mahabalipuram sculpture
Mahishasura Mardini Cave, Mahabalipuram tour
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
7 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Marco Polo sailed past this coast in the 13th century and recorded a city of seven pagodas rising above the sea. Only one still stands; the rest lie submerged offshore.
The Pallava kings carved an entire world from these boulders: five chariots each cut from a single rock, a colossal bas relief where a sly cat poses as a holy man before gathering mice, a giant boulder balanced on a slope for thirteen centuries that a British governor failed to move with elephants, and the Shore Temple facing the Bay of Bengal.
Your cultural guide brings every stone to life. Private car, expert guide, entry fees and lunch included.
Responsible tourism add ons at no extra cost: meet the indigenous Irula community, famed for their herbal wisdom and snake lore, or watch young artisans learn ancient stone carving at a sculpting college. Mention your choice when booking (adds 90 mins).
Recognised by the Department of Tourism; winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and Cool Shore Excursions Travellers Choice.

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Pick and drop to Chennai hotel
  • Entrance charges
  • Beverages
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Pick up from all hotels in Chennai

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Pancha Rathas

Make the first stop of the day at the Pancharathas, or five chariots, a series of monolithic temples built by the Pallavas.These are rock cut monolith temples structures built in the 7th century. Each of the 5 rathas or chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharat epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva. Once you stand towards the rear of the elephant you will notice that there is an uncanny resemblance between the rear of the chariot and the elephant.
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Arjuna's Penance

We next visit Arjuna’s Penace, a bas-relief monument that’s considered one of India’s most magnificent pieces of ancient art, depicting vivid scenes from the Mahabharata. The relief is 100 feet long and 45 feet tall! The main story being told is how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Pancha Pandava Cave

Pandava cave is the largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram The cave is supported on six pillars and two pilasters. The highlight of the architecture are the spectacular sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali on the pillars.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Krishna's Butter Ball

The next stop is Krishna’s Butterball, a granite boulder that’s poised on a stony slope. This curious boulder seems to defy Newton's laws of gravity and has not moved an inch despite being in this precarious position on the slope for more than a thousand years.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Varaha Cave Temple

The Varaha cave is carved out of huge piece of granite and dates back to the 7th century. This temple took several decades to be completed. There are squatting lions adorning the pillars which support the hall. Another highlight are the sculptures of two guardian angels who protect the sanctum.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Trimurti Cave

This cave is a fine example of the spectacular architecture style of the Pallavas. The rock cut temple is dedicated to the holy trinity of Hindu Gods- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are fine carvings of elephants as well.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Ganesha Ratha

This is a imposing chariot carved out of a single stone. Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva, it now has the deity of his son Lord Ganesh. It was built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I. The other highlight of this temple are the 18 inscriptions in ancient grantha and nagari scripts of Sanskrit.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Old Light House

Built in the year 640, it is India’s oldest light house and one of the oldest in the world. Mahabalipuram was a very busy port since the 7th century and hence this lighthouse played a significant role in keeping mariners safe.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Mahishasuramardini Cave

Two of the most impressive works of art of Mahabalipuram reside in this cave. It has 2 imposing bas-reliefs on the walls. The first one is Lord Vishnu sleeping on top of the coils of a serpent. The other is with Goddess Durga fighting with the demon Mahishasura on a lion.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Shore Temple (pass by)

Our last port of call is the Shore Temple. The magnificent temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was an important centre during the reign of the Pallavas when Mahabalipuram was the main port of their Kingdom. Built by King Raja Simha during the early 8th century, the Shore Temple is a landmark in the architectural landscape of India. Marco Polo referred to this as the seven pagodas. The existing temple is the last surviving of the 7 which once stood as a beacon for sea farers.
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Mahabalipuram

As part of our responsible toursim initiative, we provide optional add-ons to guests. Option 1- Discover the rich heritage of the indigenous Irula community—renowned for their traditional ecological wisdom, medicinal plant expertise, and life-saving snake-handling knowledge. You'll meet community members, see how Irula women craft natural herbal products for sustainable livelihoods, and experience a unique side of Tamil Nadu few travellers get to see. Option 2- Visit a nearby sculpting college where master craftsmen still train young artisans in the ancient art of stone carving. You will watch chisels meet granite exactly as they have for centuries, and see firsthand how a shapeless block slowly reveals a deity, a dancer, or a myth. Just mention your interest in joining this during booking and we will be happy to arrange this at no extra charge. Note that this segment will take 90 minutes in all including the session and commute.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 10 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (IST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-18983P8

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.96
477 reviews

Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 477 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
459
4 stars
17
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (IST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Lunch.
  • Pick and drop to Chennai hotel.
  • Entrance charges.
  • Professional tour guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Beverages.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Lunch
  • Pick and drop to Chennai hotel
  • Entrance charges
  • Professional tour guide
  • Beverages

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name