Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a town located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The ancient town is situated roughly sixty kilometres from Chennai and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as of 1984). The historic city was once a vital seaport and rose to prominence during the seventh century under the rule of the Pallavas. In fact, the town still contains many monuments from that era. Most recently the town was renovated by the British in 1827. Tourists visiting Chennai, especially those interested in learning more about the local culture and history, should definitely take a trip down to Mahabalipuram.
All the monuments at Mahabalipuram are quite interesting. Some of the more popular ones include the Thirukadalmallai, a temple dedicated to Vishnu; Descent of the Ganges, an open air relief of epic proportions; the Varaha Cave Temple, which is cut out of the rocks; the Shore Temple, which is situated by the Bay of Bengal; the Pancha Rathas, which consists of five pyramid shaped structures dedicated to the four Pandavas and Draupadi; and finally there is the lighthouse, which is a more modern construction, erected in 1894.
Chennai, which is still widely referred to by its old name ‘Madras’, is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest cities in the country and is a highly popular tourist destination. The city has quite a few interesting tourist attractions including Marina Beach, the second longest urban beach in the world; the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas, which contains the shrine of St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus; and Fort St. George, constructed by the East India Company. The city also contains numerous interesting museums, galleries and wildlife reserves.
Chennai is a very large city and it can be difficult to navigate, especially for first time visitors. To ease the difficulties associated with travel one should look for accommodation in a central area. Somerset Greenways Chennai offers excellent serviced apartments Chennai in a central location. Their Chennai service apartments come in a variety of styles and boast all the latest modern conveniences that make your stay in the city all the more memorable.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
