One Day Itinerary for Mahabalipuram

1. 9:00AM: Shore Temple
   Located near the beach, this magnificent temple is one of the oldest stone structures and a perfect place to start your day.
2. 10:30AM: Pancha Rathas
   Also known as the Five Rathas, these five rock-cut temples have unique architecture, detailing and a resemblance to various mythological characters.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 25 minutes (1.7 km)
3. 12:00PM: Mahabalipuram Beach
   Located close to the Shore temple, engage in some beachside fun, swim in the sea, relax on the sand or try out adventure water sports.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 20 minutes (1.3 km)
4. 2:00PM: Lunch at Moonraker Beach Resort
   Savour delectable authentic South Indian cuisine with magnificent views of the Bay of Bengal at this excellent resort.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 40 minutes (2.1 km)
5. 3:30PM: Varaha Cave Temple
   A rock-cut temple with intricate carvings depicting various mythological tales about Vishnu's third avatar Varaha, the boar-god.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 15 minutes (1.1 km)
6. 4:30PM: Krishna's Butterball
   This fascinating and gravity-defying boulder has been resting at this spot for over 1000 years, and it is said that even the British tried to move it but failed.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 5 minutes (400m)
7. 5:00PM: Arjuna's Penance
   Also known as the Descent of the Ganges, it is the world's largest bas-relief and depicts Arjuna, praying to Lord Shiva to obtain the Pasupatastra and obtain victory in the Mahabharata war.
   Est. Time from Previous Location: 5 minutes (300m)

Time and Costs Estimates

• Shore Temple (1 hour, INR 30)
• Pancha Rathas (1 hour, INR 30)
• Mahabalipuram Beach (2 hours, Free)
• Lunch at Moonraker Beach Resort (1 hour, INR 600)
• Varaha Cave Temple (30 mins, INR 10)
• Krishna's Butterball (30 mins, INR 5)
• Arjuna's Penance (30 mins, INR 10)
• Total Estimated Costs (Per Person): INR 685

Useful Tips

For those who have extra time, the Group of Monuments is a collection of over 40 ancient monuments across Mahabalipuram and are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. For those who have less time, Thirukadalmallai Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is another well-known temple and is located about 8km north of the main town. Avoid visiting the beach during the monsoon season as the tides tend to be rough.