Surfing, Crocs & Sandals: Here’s All The Best Things To Do In Mahabalipuram

On your way to Mahabalipuram, hop-off at the Madras Crocodile Bank for a face-to-face with a legion of crocodiles. The brainchild of leading herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, the bank was started to save the mugger and saltwater crocodiles, and the gharial from going extinct. The bank is also home to reptiles, lizards, and turtles. You can drop by during feeding sessions, weekend night safaris, and even interact with baby pythons, crocodiles, and turtles here.

Price: INR 35 for adults, INR 10 for children below ten years

Timings: 9:00am - 5:00 pm, Mondays are holidays

Love the adventures that the sea offers? Mahabalipuram is the perfect place to get on those surfboards and rule the waves. The Mumu Surf School is pretty popular around here and beginners can sign up for lessons with an instructor. For the pros, Mumu has a range of boards (surf, long, body) on offer that you can rent out and head towards the surging waves. Angling trips and boat rides (to spot dolphins) into the deep blue sea are also common here.

Bicycles are a great way to move around in Mahabalipuram (you can rent one at a local shop). But if want something out of the ordinary, cycle through the village of Kadumbadi, which’s close by and take in scenes from rural life. Ooh, don't forget to try your hand at pottery. You can also check for organised cycle tours if you don't feel like winging it. 

For history and architecture buffs, Mahabalipuram is a treasure trove. The Shore Temple, right on the main beach, is a centuries-old stone structure with intricate carvings and its elegant gopuram is sure to have you transfixed. There’s also the five Ratha Temples. Each of them carved from one stone each and dedicated to the Pandavas and their wife, Draupadi. While they are incomplete (which is why no worship takes place here), every inch of this procession of chariots is covered in detailed sculpture work.

And, finally, the Descent of the Ganges and Arjuna’s Penance – an open-air, rock relief – that’s carved on two boulders. The intricate stonework includes Arjuna performing penance on one leg (in the hopes that Lord Shiva would grant him a powerful weapon), herds of elephants, nagas descending through a cleft in the rock, and other scenes from everyday life.

A tour of the heritage sites in Mahabalipuram is sure to inspire you and wish that you could take a sculpture back with you. While the ones at the heritage sites are strictly out of bounds, you can visit any of the small shops at Mahabalipuram beach to pick out an exquisite stone sculpture. From serenely meditating Buddhas to elegant Ganeshas, elephants, and mythical creatures – local artisans make them all. You can also score pairs of handcrafted sandals that are made-to-order and come in a range of happy colours. For more information, click here.

Finally, there is the food. If nothing else, Mahabalipuram’s seafood offerings will bring you back for a second or third trip. Restaurants (all scattered around the main beach area) like the Blue Elephant and Santana (this one comes with a great view of the sea) are where you head to for helpings of prawns, calamari, and fish that come in a host of curries and sauces. You can find a lot of tiny cafes too that do killer business with their crepe, pancake, and pastry offerings.