A complex of monuments located on the coasts of the port side town is the Pancha pandava rathas, which is a fine example of monolithic and ancient Indian architecture. The five monoliths are named after the historical characters of the five pandavas - Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahadeva of the Mahabharata epic. The site is well known for its exquisite architecture with the five edifices ready to blow your mind away. Built strong period of the Pallavas the site is now a world heritage site, honored by the UNESCO. Each of the five Rathas is solely dedicated to honour the five skilled warriors. It is a dream world of art sculpture and expressions with the chariots chiselled with precision and care. The carved rocks are a dream come true for architects and historians.

A sandy beauty along the coast of Mahabalipuram is the Wide beach, a mind blowing experience. The spectacular beach has massive rock cut boulders adorning the shores. The natural luxury beach resort with the treasure of heritage makes it a weekend holidaying destination. The beach is a perfect one day getaway for all the tired souls. The beach attracts a number of travelers mainly to experience the natural sun bath of the port town. It gives you an opportunity to unwind and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The beach also welcomes visitors with a crocodile bank, venom extracting centre and beautifully chiseled sculptures. Swimmers and windsurfers can enjoy to their hearts content here. Mouth watering dishes are also served in the cozy restaurants lining the beach.

Mahabalipuram is an Open air museum with a treasure chest of India's heritage. Topping the to do list is visiting Arjuna's penance, a beautifully carved monolith. It is one of the largest bas reliefs in the world, given the honor of the world heritage site. This site is named after one of the great leaders of the Mahabharata epic- one of the Pancha Pandavas. The monolith was carved on the face of 2 huge boulders with a length of 96ft. The majestic rock sculpture is known as the Descent of the Ganges, depicting a scene from the Mahabharata where Arjuna undergoes rigorous penance to get Shiva's weapon and destroy his enemies. Lord Shiva sent down the Ganges to answer his prayers hence both the names. The fascinating skill of the sculptures can be seen clearly in the minute Details and liveliness of the figures.

The structural temple built with blocks of granite is now standing as a testimonial to the rich heritage of India. It is well known for being the first stone structure constructed by the Pallavas. Unlike no other the shore temple is a 5 storied monolithic temple, serving as a landmark by the day and a beacon by night. The work of art has 3 prominent shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. True to its name, it overlooks the shore of the sandy beaches of Mahabalipuram. The exhilarating temple is an exciting combination of ancient history and natural splendor. The temple is the backdrop of the famous Mahabalipuram dance festival. It is also a dream world of Tamil arts and exhibits. You will see a stone carved sleeping Lord Vishnu in this temple. It is very peaceful and tranquil place.

The Ganesha Ratha in Mahabalipuram is one of the ten rathas carved of pink stone. It is a prominent sculpture of the Pallava period in the UNESCO heritage site. It is one of the chief attractions of Mahabalipuram portraying the ancient architectural skills of the Pallava era. It had a Dravidian style of architecture resembling a chariot. The beautiful temple is carved out of a huge boulder and still stands erect today add the only compositely monument in the resort town. The idol of Lord Ganesha in the temple replaced the earlier prudent Shiva lingam. The rock but structure is a replica of the wooden ratha with gabled roofs and carefully chiseled intricate designs. A significant feature of the ratha is the engravings and inscriptions present on the chariot walls praising the holiness of the gods

Resting on a short sloping hill of Mahabalipuram is Krishna's butter ball a gigantic boulder which has defied gravity for more than 1000 years. It is a curious tourist hotspot as the rock or ball sitting on an inclined slope does not move and the reason behind it has been a mystery for ages. Locally known as the 'Vaanirai Kal' or stone of the sky gods it is believed to have been put in place by the gods while science strikes back that it is a natural phenomenon. The massive boulder Depicts the mass of butter that lord Krishna would steal from his mother's jar. Friction and centre of gravity of believed to be the reason why the spheroidal monolith has remained stationary. It is also a place for daredevils to venture and capture some mind blowing clicks.

A sanctuary of south Indian architecture hidden in the coastline of Tamil Nadu is the outstanding Varaha caves. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram is inscribed as a world heritage site with striking and unusual structures. This famous Hindu shrine attracts a number of tourists to admire the intricate styling. One of the primitive buildings of Mahabalipuram you can see unique sculptures artworks and fine expressions of the ancient era. The caves are a fine example of the ancient construction styles. You can find exquisite carvings and sculptures portraying instances from Hindu mythology. The caves are called so because the main sculpture is of the Lord Varaha one of the avatars of lord Vishnu. Located on the Coromandal Coast the temple is a beautiful work of art you cannot afford to miss.