It was established by K. Raja Mohamed, who was an avid collector of seashells. Mohamed traveled across the globe, moving from one country to another to collect as much as seashells to open a museum of his own. After years of wild exploration, Mohamed succeeded and established the Indian Seashell Museum. A popular tourist attraction, it is the largest seashell museum in the world. After the renovation, the museum also houses an aquarium, a shell souvenir, and gift shop and a fish pedicure center. It draws thousands of tourists every year and is quite famous among children and tourists.
The Indian Seashell Museum is one of the most unique exhibits in the country. Located in Mahabalipuram, it makes an interesting site after the heritage exploring across the city. Completely dedicated to the showcase of seashells, it houses over 2300 types of seashells.
Built in 1904, it was used as the guiding light for ships and mariners during the British period. A circular tower, it is located near the Olakaneeswara Temple. The temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva was the old ancient lighthouse. During the Pallava dynasty reign, temple was used as a lighthouse to help boats reach the shore. A mesmerizing sight to enjoy after the exploration of the heritage sights of Mahabalipuram.
One of the most popular attractions in Mahabalipuram, the lighthouse is an iconic landmark that draws hundreds of tourists everyday.
An ideal place to lay back and relax, the Tiger Caves are a prominent getaway location near Mahabalipuram. One of the captivating landmarks around the city, the Tiger Cave is an iconic rock-cut structure that draws thousands of tourists. The mesmerizing feature of this monument is the impressive carving of 11 heads of tigers around the entrance of the cave. A fine example of ancient craftsmanship, it is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. In 2005, inscriptions upon the caves revealed some cues which led to the excavation of Subramanya Temple. This temple which lies inside the caves is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, a local form of Hindu Lord Shiva. A small Shivlinga graces the insides of the temple. While a sculpture of Goddess Durga is also present in its premises. A magnificent sight, it hardly fails to impress anyone coming across it.
A monolithic pink sandstone structure with multiple panels showcasing carvings of various mythological scenes. Standing at a height of about 12 feet, the facade of the cave has beautifully designed pillars that have guardians carved upon it. It shows the scene of Varaha rescuing Bhudevi (Earth) in three strides. The panels depict captivating carvings of Vishnu, Goddess Durga, and Lord Shiva. A must-see site for the history buff and archaeological enthusiasts, it draws thousands of tourists every year.
A fine example of Indian rock-cut architecture, the Varaha temple is a form of a mandapa type temple architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage site is dedicated to Varaha which is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Graced with intricate carvings and scriptures, it dates back to the 7th century built during the reign of the Pallava dynasty.
It is locally known as Vaan Irai Kal which roughly translates to 'the stone of sky god' in Tamil. Standing at a height of 6 meters is a popular tourist attraction and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Currently resembling a half-spherical shape, the then governor of Mahabalipuram, Arthur Havelock tried to move the rock in 1908. He uses about seven elephants to move the boulder but to no avail. Thus, Krishna's Butterball became an iconic landmark of the place, where visitors even sit back and relax in its shade.
Defying gravity from all the sides, the Krishna's Butterball stands valiantly upon a slope in Mahabalipuram. Weighing more than 200 tons, this gigantic boulder is believed to be over 1200 years old. A tourist guide during the visit of Indira Gandhi passingly called it Krishna's Butterball which stuck permanently.
Located approximately 58 km from Chennai city, the beach has become incredible and soul-soothing get away from the bustling urban areas. Stretching about 20 km, its mesmerizing beauty is good enough to make you fall in love with it. The Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is organized here for a long time and providing a captivating backdrop to the visitors. Apart from the scenic landscape and pristine golden sand, the beach offers various water activities such as diving, motor boating, and windsurfing. The Crocodile Bank is once such a unique place that lies near the beach and consists of hundreds of various reptiles. A complete blend of adventure, heritage, and fun, Mahabalipuram beach also offers unique places to eat and have a drink.
There are about 146 carvings in total upon two pink sandstones with a long fissure in between believed to be the falling Ganga. It is witnessed by gods, demigods, nymphs, apsaras, nagas, kinaras and other mythological creatures along with animals and birds. The most prominent carvings are that of Lord Shiva, who is depicted as the carrier of Ganga to the earth while holding his Pushpata weapon. Second is the carving of Bhagiratha, supervising the entire act while the carving of Arjuna showcasing him practicing penance. An incredible piece of art, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thus holds a special place in the entire landscape of Mahabalipuram.
Arjuna's Penance also known as the Descent of the Ganges in the world's largest open-rock relief located in Mahabalipuram. A fine example of excellent artistry and sculpting, this ancient Indian art form draws visitors from all across the globe. It depicts two mythological scenes depending upon its interpretation. Overall all the entire relief portrays the descent of the holy river of Ganga upon earth.
Founded by Indian-American Herpetologist in 1976, it majorly contributed to the revival of the endangered and depleted Crocodile population. The CrocBank has more than 2500 animals which include 14 species of crocodiles, 10 species of turtles, 3 species of snakes, and 1 species of lizard. Among the crocodiles, the most prominent ones are the Mugger Crocodile, the Salt Water Crocodile and the Gharials. One of the largest crocodile breeding centers in the world, it houses the Centre For Herpetogy which aims at promoting the study of Reptiles and other related species. It is also famous for its largest venom-extracting center in the country which employs the local tribe of Irula Snake Catchers. The bank regularly organizes field trips, special camps and educational exhibits from children of schools and colleges. A popular place to visit, it annually gets a footfall of more than 400,000 visitors.
The Crocodile Bank is one of the major tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. Here you will come across a wide variety of reptilian species that are capable enough to put you in awe. Spread across an area of 8.5 acres, this breeding center started an just a small pond and a few crocodiles.
