Meet up at the designated location in Mamallapuram (see Departure Point) and start this relaxing walking tour at 9:00 AM for morning departure or 3:30 PM for afternoon departure
The tour starts with the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site - Arjuna’s Penance known for those two huge boulders. Arjuna’s Penance dating from the 7th century has exquisite detail and depicts the flow of the Ganges down from the Himalayan mountains as well as scenes from Indian daily life. Later visit the Five Rathas where you won't be able believe that these shrines are carved whole from an outcrop of rock. Each of the five temples is dedicated to heroes from the great epic of the Mahabharata. Spend time admiring the detail of the carvings which include gods, humans and elephants and wonder why the temples are incomplete and were never consecrated.
Afterwards stop by the Shore Temple Relish located at a delightful seaside location, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, and landscaped gardens surrounding it. Dedicated to both Vishnu and Shiva, the decorative beauty of the temple, built in Dravidian style, has suffered erosion by its proximity to the sea. When the tour ends, you will return to the departure point.
