Mahabalipuram from Pondicherry | Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas & UNESCO Monuments

Explore Mahabalipuram from Pondicherry – a short yet unforgettable coastal detour along Tamil Nadu’s Coromandel Coast! 🌊
In this travel vlog, I take you through our December 2025 family trip as we journey from the charming streets of Pondicherry to the ancient stone wonders of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Starting with a scenic 90-km drive from Pondicherry, this video captures our first glimpse of Mahabalipuram in the golden light of the afternoon. Watch the iconic Shore Temple glow against the setting sun, with its unique twin-shrine layout dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. We then explore the legendary rock-cut cave temples, the breathtaking Descent of the Ganges (Arjuna’s Penance) — one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world — and the gravity-defying Krishna’s Butter Ball.

You’ll also see the magnificent Pancha Rathas, monolithic temples carved from single rocks and named after the Pandavas, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Pallava era. We return the next morning to experience these monuments in soft daylight and calm surroundings, offering a completely different perspective from the evening visit.

This video also shares practical travel tips — how to reach Mahabalipuram from Pondicherry, ticket prices and timings, the ease of booking online ASI tickets, where we stayed, and where we ate — making it perfect for anyone planning a short Mahabalipuram trip or a Pondicherry itinerary with an overnight extension.

If you love heritage travel, ancient temples, coastal destinations, and slow, meaningful journeys, this Mahabalipuram travel vlog will inspire you to add this magical town to your South India travel plans.

👉 Watch till the end to see why Mahabalipuram, though small, leaves a big and lasting impression.
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