Mahabalipuram 7-Hour Private Tour by Tourism Ministry Approved Company
by 5 Senses Walks
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$230Overview
This private 7-hour tour of Mahabalipuram is conducted by a company approved by the Tourism Ministry. It includes pickup and drop-off from hotels in Chennai, transportation by private car or Royal Enfield motorcycle, a professional guide, entrance fees to all sites, and lunch. The tour begins at the Pancha Rathas, a group of five monolithic rock-cut temples from the 7th century, each dedicated to a character from the Mahabharata epic. The next stop is Arjuna’s Penance, a large open-air bas-relief measuring 100 feet long and 45 feet tall, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, especially Arjuna’s austerities to obtain Lord Shiva’s weapon. Then the group visits the Pancha Pandava Cave, the largest cave temple in Mahabalipuram, supported by six pillars decorated with sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali. Afterward, the tour proceeds to Krishna’s Butterball, a large granite boulder resting on a slope that has remained in place for over a thousand years. The Varaha Cave Temple follows, a 7th-century granite temple featuring squatting lions on its pillars and sculptures of guardian angels protecting the sanctum. Next is the Trimurti Cave, dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, with detailed carvings including elephants. The tour then visits a monolithic chariot temple originally dedicated to Lord Shiva but now housing Lord Ganesh; it contains 18 ancient inscriptions in Grantha and Nagari scripts and was built by King Mahendravarman I in the 7th century. The itinerary continues to India’s oldest lighthouse, built in 640, which served as a navigation aid when Mahabalipuram was a busy port. The Mahishasuramardini Cave is next, housing two large bas-reliefs: one of Lord Vishnu reclining on a serpent and another of Goddess Durga fighting the demon Mahishasura while riding a lion. The final stop is the Shore Temple, built in the early 8th century by King Raja Simha. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it is the last surviving of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for sailors. Beverages are not included in the tour.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Pancha Rathas
The first stop is the Pancha Rathas, a set of five monolithic temples carved in the 7th century by the Pallavas. Each temple is dedicated to a lead character from the Mahabharata epic: Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima, and Yudhister. An elephant sculpture near the Nakul-Sahadeva ratha has a rear shape that closely resembles the back of the chariot.
25 min
Arjuna's Penance
Next is Arjuna’s Penance, a large bas-relief measuring 100 feet long and 45 feet tall. It depicts scenes from the Mahabharata, focusing on Arjuna performing austerities to obtain a weapon from Lord Shiva.
20 min
Pancha Pandava Cave
The largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram, supported by six pillars and two pilasters. The pillars feature sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali.
15 min
Krishna's Butter Ball
A granite boulder balanced on a slope that has remained unmoved for over a thousand years despite its seemingly precarious position, defying gravity.
15 min
Varaha Cave Temple
This 7th-century temple carved from granite took decades to complete. Pillars are decorated with squatting lions, and sculptures of two guardian angels protect the sanctum.
15 min
Trimurti Cave
A rock-cut temple dedicated to the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, featuring detailed carvings including elephants.
15 min
Monolithic Chariot Temple
A single-stone chariot temple originally dedicated to Lord Shiva but now housing Lord Ganesh. Built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I, it contains 18 inscriptions in ancient Grantha and Nagari Sanskrit scripts.
15 min
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Built in 640, this is India’s oldest lighthouse and among the oldest worldwide. It served as a crucial aid for mariners during Mahabalipuram’s time as a busy port.
15 min
Mahishasuramardini Cave
This cave contains two large bas-reliefs: one of Lord Vishnu reclining on serpent coils, and another of Goddess Durga fighting the demon Mahishasura while riding a lion.
15 min
Shore Temple
The final stop is the Shore Temple, built in the early 8th century by King Raja Simha. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it is the last surviving temple of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for seafarers.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Mahabalipuram 7-Hour Private Tour by Tourism Ministry Approved Company
by 5 Senses Walks
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$230Overview
This private 7-hour tour of Mahabalipuram is conducted by a company approved by the Tourism Ministry. It includes pickup and drop-off from hotels in Chennai, transportation by private car or Royal Enfield motorcycle, a professional guide, entrance fees to all sites, and lunch. The tour begins at the Pancha Rathas, a group of five monolithic rock-cut temples from the 7th century, each dedicated to a character from the Mahabharata epic. The next stop is Arjuna’s Penance, a large open-air bas-relief measuring 100 feet long and 45 feet tall, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, especially Arjuna’s austerities to obtain Lord Shiva’s weapon. Then the group visits the Pancha Pandava Cave, the largest cave temple in Mahabalipuram, supported by six pillars decorated with sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali. Afterward, the tour proceeds to Krishna’s Butterball, a large granite boulder resting on a slope that has remained in place for over a thousand years. The Varaha Cave Temple follows, a 7th-century granite temple featuring squatting lions on its pillars and sculptures of guardian angels protecting the sanctum. Next is the Trimurti Cave, dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, with detailed carvings including elephants. The tour then visits a monolithic chariot temple originally dedicated to Lord Shiva but now housing Lord Ganesh; it contains 18 ancient inscriptions in Grantha and Nagari scripts and was built by King Mahendravarman I in the 7th century. The itinerary continues to India’s oldest lighthouse, built in 640, which served as a navigation aid when Mahabalipuram was a busy port. The Mahishasuramardini Cave is next, housing two large bas-reliefs: one of Lord Vishnu reclining on a serpent and another of Goddess Durga fighting the demon Mahishasura while riding a lion. The final stop is the Shore Temple, built in the early 8th century by King Raja Simha. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it is the last surviving of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for sailors. Beverages are not included in the tour.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Pancha Rathas
The first stop is the Pancha Rathas, a set of five monolithic temples carved in the 7th century by the Pallavas. Each temple is dedicated to a lead character from the Mahabharata epic: Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima, and Yudhister. An elephant sculpture near the Nakul-Sahadeva ratha has a rear shape that closely resembles the back of the chariot.
25 min
Arjuna's Penance
Next is Arjuna’s Penance, a large bas-relief measuring 100 feet long and 45 feet tall. It depicts scenes from the Mahabharata, focusing on Arjuna performing austerities to obtain a weapon from Lord Shiva.
20 min
Pancha Pandava Cave
The largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram, supported by six pillars and two pilasters. The pillars feature sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali.
15 min
Krishna's Butter Ball
A granite boulder balanced on a slope that has remained unmoved for over a thousand years despite its seemingly precarious position, defying gravity.
15 min
Varaha Cave Temple
This 7th-century temple carved from granite took decades to complete. Pillars are decorated with squatting lions, and sculptures of two guardian angels protect the sanctum.
15 min
Trimurti Cave
A rock-cut temple dedicated to the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, featuring detailed carvings including elephants.
15 min
Monolithic Chariot Temple
A single-stone chariot temple originally dedicated to Lord Shiva but now housing Lord Ganesh. Built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I, it contains 18 inscriptions in ancient Grantha and Nagari Sanskrit scripts.
15 min
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Built in 640, this is India’s oldest lighthouse and among the oldest worldwide. It served as a crucial aid for mariners during Mahabalipuram’s time as a busy port.
15 min
Mahishasuramardini Cave
This cave contains two large bas-reliefs: one of Lord Vishnu reclining on serpent coils, and another of Goddess Durga fighting the demon Mahishasura while riding a lion.
15 min
Shore Temple
The final stop is the Shore Temple, built in the early 8th century by King Raja Simha. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it is the last surviving temple of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for seafarers.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.