Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry trip from Chennai by Wonder tours

Mahabalipuram and Dakshinachitra trip from Chennai by Wonder tours

Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry trip from Chennai by Wonder tours

By Wonder tours

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
12h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup
Multiple languages

Overview

Mamallapuram (also called Mahaballipuram) is about an hour's drive from Chennai on the East Coast Road. It was the second capital and seaport of the Pallava Kings who ruled in the 5th century.The Shore Temple is among the oldest temples of South India and represents the final flowering of Pallava art. Arjuna's Penance, one of the world's biggest bas-reliefs depicts the storey of the descent of the River Ganges from Heaven to Earth. Cave temples and massive monolithic sculptures (carved from a single large block of granite) make Mamallapuram a place to remember.
DakshinaChitra is an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. The main mission is to exhibit, promote and preserve aspects of the broader, more inclusive cultures of the states and to bring these arts to the public in a participative, enjoyable and engaging way.

Activity location

Pancha Rathas
- Kancheepuram District
- 603104, Mahabalipuram, India, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

Pancha Rathas
- Kancheepuram District
- 603104, Mahabalipuram, India, India

Check availability

Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry trip from Chennai by Wonder tours

12h
English

Pickup included

Travellers

Languages available

Starting time: 08:00

Price details

£220.83 x 1 Adult£220.83

Total

What's included, what's not

Private transport
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Lunch
Entry/Admission - Monuments
Personal expenses
Service charge
Drinks

Know before you book

Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

Activity itinerary

Pancha Rathas

45m
Admission ticket included

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.

Arjuna's Penance

30m
Admission ticket included

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 storey being told is how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.

Krishna's Butter Ball

15m
Admission ticket included

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.

Shore Temple

45m
Admission ticket included

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.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

30m
Admission ticket included

Shri Aurobindo, a great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made Pondicherry his home from 1910 till his death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world.

Auroville

we travel to Auroville, the radical concept of a global village where thousands of people from across the world have given up their nationalities and are living as global citizens. Auroville was conceived with the vision that- “There should be a somewhere on earth, a place which no nation could claim as its own, where all human beings of goodwill who have a sincere aspiration could live freely as citizens of the world and obey one single authority, that of the supreme truth; a place of peace, concord and harmony…”. Guests will also get to see the various ways in which its citizens practice sustainable way of life. Matri Mandir is a giant dome for silent meditation.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple

30m
Admission ticket included

The Manakula Vinayagar Temple, in Puducherry, is a grand and beautiful temple, dedicated to the Hindu lord Ganesha. Puducherry might be a place full of churches but Manakula Vinayagar Temple is highly coveted among Hindu devotees and tourists, travelling from all parts of the country. Being more than 500 years old, it has an illustrious history and is one of the oldest temples in the region.

Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper

30m
Admission ticket included

We visit a unique factory which makes hand made paper. Sri Aurobindo Paper Factory started 50 years ago and makes paper from 100% cotton rag pulp. In this visit guests will experience how the paper is produced from cotton rags and then processed with techniques like silk screen printing and marbling.

Location

Activity location

Pancha Rathas
- Kancheepuram District
- 603104, Mahabalipuram, India, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

Pancha Rathas
- Kancheepuram District
- 603104, Mahabalipuram, India, India

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. We offer one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Mahabalipuram your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.