Best of Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram: Private Day Tour

5.0 (11 reviews) 12 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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11 reviews

5.0

Best of Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram: Private Day Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Best of Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram: Private Day Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Begin your adventure in Kanchipuram, renowned for its ancient temples and vibrant silk weaving tradition. Visit the Kailasanathar Temple, celebrated for its exquisite stone carvings and stunning architectural design, and the Ekambareswarar Temple.While in Kanchipuram, don’t miss the opportunity to shop for the city’s iconic handwoven silk sarees, a testament to its rich textile heritage.

After immersing yourself in Kanchipuram's cultural wonders, head to Mahabalipuram, a short drive away along the scenic coastal road. Here, marvel at the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its intricate carvings and breathtaking views of the sea. Explore the Pancha Rathas, five monolithic rock-cut temples designed in the shape of chariots, each showcasing unique architectural styles. Also, be sure to see Arjuna's Penance, one of the largest bas-reliefs in the world, depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology.

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At a glance

Duration: 12 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: Wonder tours

Ages: Infants (1–5 years) · Children (6–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled mineral water provided during the journey
Included: Entry/Admission - Kanchipuram temples
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Entry/Admission - Mahabalipuram Monuments
Included: All taxes
Included: Local professional guides for all sightseeing

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Portage and tips

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Tour Orientation
Ekambareswarar Temple

45 min Admission included

Ekambareswarar Temple, located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest and most revered Shiva temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Ekambaranathar, it features stunning Dravidian architecture, with a towering gopuram (gateway) and intricate sculptures. The temple is renowned for its sacred mango tree, believed to be over 3,500 years old, and it holds great significance in Shaivite worship. It's a key pilgrimage site, attracting devotees and tourists alike.
Stop 3

45 min

Kailasanathar Temple, located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the earliest examples of Dravidian architecture, dating back to the 8th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is notable for its stunning intricate carvings and serene ambiance. The temple complex features a series of small shrines, a unique sandstone structure, and beautiful sculptures depicting various deities and mythological scenes. It is often praised for its architectural brilliance and is a significant pilgrimage site for Shaivite worshippers.
Pancha Rathas

45 min Admission included

Huddled together at the southern end of Mamallapuram, the Five Rathas were, astonishingly, all carved from single large rocks. Each of these fine 7th-century temples was dedicated to a Hindu god and is now named after one or more of the Pandavas, the five hero-brothers of the epic Mahabharata, or their common wife, Draupadi. The rathas were hidden in the sand until excavated by the British 200 years ago.

Ratha is Sanskrit for 'chariot', and may refer to the temples' form or to their function as vehicles for the gods. It's thought they didn't originally serve as places of worship, but as architectural models.
Arjuna's Penance

30 min Admission included

We also visit Arjuna’s Penance, a 100 feet x 45 feet bas relief where an entire masterpiece from the Mahabharata epic has been carved.
Krishna's Butter Ball

30 min Admission included

The next halt is at Krishna’s Butterball, a curious sight of a 5 meters diameter ball shaped boulder which is perched precariously on a slope and defies Newton’s laws of gravity!
Shore Temple

45 min Admission included

Standing like a magnificent fist of rock-cut elegance overlooking the sea, surrounded by gardens and ruined courts, the two-towered Shore Temple symbolises the heights of Pallava architecture and the maritime ambitions of the Pallava kings. Its small size belies its excellent proportion and the supreme quality of the carvings, many now eroded into vaguely Impressionist embellishments. Built under Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century, it's the earliest significant free-standing stone temple in Tamil Nadu.