Category Archives: India

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

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When you are in the land of Lamas; how can you miss visiting their abodes. Yes! The monasteries; which are monk’s schools, homes and the place where they take religious vows. Imagine, some of the Lama’s spend their whole lives here. Leh Ladakh; apart from being the land of high passes is also dotted with innumerable ancient Buddhist Monasteries. Each monastery here is an architectural marvel either jutting from the mountain face or on the top. They have deep-rooted Buddhist & Tibetan religious associations. So, the monastery hopping circuit in Leh Ladakh has become an important part of Ladakh Tourism. And here in this post, we will be taking a tour of the biggest & wealthiest Gompa i.e. Hemis Monastery of Ladakh.

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Hemis Monastery Courtyard

The Hemis Monastery Ladakh

The Hemis Gompa, being the biggest and wealthiest is not simply perching on the mountaintop or on the roadside. It is hidden in the deep gorge, 49 km from Leh, completely encircled in between the mountains. The mountaintop around the gorge is believed to be the place, where the Lord Padmasambhava or Rimpoche had once meditated. Being hidden the Hemis monastery, remained unharmed, unscathed during the wars and became wealthiest of all. And today, it owns more than half of the land in Ladakh.

Also Read: 6 must-visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they  disappear

How to reach Hemis Monastery

From Leh, cross Shey and Thiksey Monastery, further keep driving along the river Indus, towards Manali Leh highway for 39 km till Village Karu. Then cross-river Indus via cantilever bridge and head in between the mountain trails till Village Chushod, which is almost 10 kilometers. Then cross the green oasis lined with poplar and willow trees and you will see the colorful Hemis Monastery, jutting straight from the mountains.

Way to Hemis Monastery

The colorful stepped Hemis Gompa is surrounded by mustard fields, which adds colors to the surrounding barren mountains. Just near to the monastery is the Hemis high altitude national park which is home to the endangered snow leopard.

On the way to Hemis Monastery

Timings

8 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 6 pm. Lunch timing is between 1-2 pm.

Entry Fee

Rs 50/-

Best Time to visit Hemis

June – September. Hemis festival takes place in between June – July month

History of Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Monastery is quite an ancient institution and has its roots dating back to 11th century. However, it was re-established in 1630 by the illustrious King Sengge Namgyal who had also built the famous Leh Palace.

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The renovation of the Hemis Gompa was carried by King under the assistance of the famous Tibetan Priest Stag-Tsang-Ras-Pa, the disciple of Drukpa / Drugpa School.  So, under the rule of the Namgyal dynasty, the monastery flourished and till the day it is flourishing and is managed by Drukpa Lineage or Red Hat sect of Buddhism.

Inside Hemis Gompa

After purchasing the ticket, climb few stairs and you will see the vibrant colored typical Tibetan Buddhist entrance welcoming you.

Entrance to one of the biggest and wealthiest gompas of Ladakh: Hemis Monastery
Entrance to Hemis Gompa

Remove your shoes and on your left stands the Hemis museum. In the center, there is a huge courtyard where the world famous Hemis festival or mask festival takes place. The long colorful corridors run along the courtyard and in the center are three sacred poles with the fluttering flags. Just don’t stop here as the interiors inside and views from to are really impressive too.

Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Monastery
Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Gompa

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The Hemis Monastery is divided into two – the assembly hall known as Dukhang and the Temple known as Tshogkgang. The main temple where the daily prayers happen houses the huge golden statue of Lord Buddha, sacred Thangkas, and Stupas embedded with precious and semi-precious stones.

Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery Temple
Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery

The temple on the first floor houses the large golden statue of Guru Rimpoche. Corridors around the whole complex are decorated with the frescoes or mural paintings depicting the wheel of life, lords of four quarters and the Buddhist prayer wheels.

Lord Padmasambhava Temple in Hemis Monastery
Lord Padmasambhava in Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Museum houses a large collection of historical Buddhist Thangkas, weapons, carriers etc. Inside there is a huge library that has an inspiring collection of Tibetan books, manuscripts, and relics. Just at the ground floor of the museum is a souvenir shop selling various Ladakh magnets, T-shirts, books etc. Photography is completely prohibited inside the museum. Indeed, lockers are provided before entering the museum to keep your valuables safe.

Hemis Museum inside Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery Terrace

Before leaving the Monastery complex, climb up to the terrace to get some. mesmerizing views. You will see the stacked Himalayas, enclosing and protecting the monastery from all sides with the green oasis in between.

View from Hemis Monastery Terrace

The temple complex is not only colorful & beautiful from the front end and inside but the top too is artistically crafted with colorful contrasting glass in the window panes.

Hemis Monastery Temple Top from Terrace

And the most striking of all is, another Lord Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop of Hemis Gompa. We really wonder how they might have carried it to that height and how difficult the mounting would had been.

Lord Buddha Statue on Hilltop
Lord Buddha Statue on Hilltop

Hemis Festival

The Hemis festival also known as Mask or Cham festival takes place in the Hemis Monastery courtyard; to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Padmasambhava. It happens on the 10th day of Lunar Tibetan Calendar, usually between June – July. The celebration lasts for a complete 3 days.

Mask Dance at Hemis Festival in Hemis Monastery
Source: TripSavvy

Hemis festival stirs the complete courtyard with its pageantry. Monks, Nuns, lamas are dressed to perfection wearing heavy brocade gowns with masks. They dance with cymbals, drums, and trumpets portraying the win of good over evil. Everything is colorful during the festival and people rejoice with the local traditional food and drinks. The annual markets are set up around the monastery which sells local goods. The sacred 12-meter long Thangka, largest of all Thangkas in Ladakh is unfurled from the top floor after every 12 years.

Stupas studded with Precious and semi precious stones in the Hemis Monastery Temple
Stupas studded with Precious and semi-precious stones in the Hemis Monastery

Points to Remember

  • The best season to visit Hemis Gompa is between June – September. If you are planning to be the part of the Hemis festival, then check the exact dates before planning your Leh Ladakh road trip
  • Hemis Monastery provides accommodation to the guests. The alternate is guesthouses and homestays in the nearby village
  • Do try lip-smacking fried rice, noodles, Thupkas and some local food at the shack outside monastery
  • Buy some local handicrafts as souvenirs to take back home
  • Make sure to respect the monastery culture and avoid photography wherever it is prohibited. Rotate the prayer wheels mounted near the courtyard.Prayer Wheels at Hemis Monastery
  • Talk to locals and be part of the celebrations to know more about the local; traditions and culture
  • Don’t restrict yourself to the courtyard. There are many picturesque locations on the terrace too.
  • Check the huge golden Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop. %CODE1%
  • Monastery houses more than 500 monks. It is one of the largest spiritual and meditative learning centers. So, enthusiasts from all over the world travel here, to learn the basics of Buddhism and practice the life of the monk.

Hemis Monastery, The Biggest & wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

If the Hemis Gompa is an epitome, then the trail leading to the Hemis Monastery is no less. It is a complete adventurous zone. The visit to a monastery is not just about the Cham festival, we say it is equally inviting during all the accessible months. It is a marvelous grandeur steeped in rich history, heritage and mythology. Moreover, the entire aura of the place is spellbinding.
Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian BloggersHave you visited Hemis Monastery in Ladakh? Do you feel the same as us?

Other articles you can Check from Leh Ladakh series are:

Leh Ladakh Road trip from Delhi

A walk with Indian soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

Story of Gata Loops

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

Sonamarg, Kashmir – The Golden Meadows of India

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories – The Gift of Valley

Leh Ladakh Palaces

10 reasons why everyone should travel India

The colored Tibetan Prayer Stones – Mani Stones

India, Tourism, Travel, Uttarakhand

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall near Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand

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India is a home to some of the magnificent waterfalls. The falls are torrents which can carve, shape or break the rocks, smash the trees and logs coming in between to make the way for gushing water but we still feel they are the most captivating marvels of nature. The sight of the flowing crystal clear water, thundering roaring sound; not only brighten up eyes and soul but makes body relaxed and rejuvenated after the tiring day too. On our recent trip to Mukteshwar town, we visited one such newly discovered, endearing fall known as the Bhalu Gaad waterfall.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall near Mukteshwar, UttarakhandThe Bhalu Gaad fall is a 60 feet high fall from the undiscovered source. It is a mixture of horseshoe and plunge shaped waterfall. The water flows continuously throughout the year maintaining contact with the rock bed before turning to Plunge at the bottom. Indeed, the waterfall completely turns to plunge shaped when the water flow increases during the rainy season. Being recently discovered it is cleaner & less touristy as compared to other waterfalls of Uttarakhand.

But slowly the Mukteshwar town is gaining attraction, and the fall will enlist in the attractions of Mukteshwar. There is rainbow seen at the bottom of Bhallu Gaad Waterfall, so locals name it a Rainbow waterfall.

Description

The word Bhalu Gaad comes from two words Bhalu and Gaad where the word Bhalu means Bear and Gaad means stream in the Kumaoni language. So, it is believed to be a good location for Bear sightseeing. But luckily or unluckily we didn’t spot any during our trail walk.

How to reach Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The Bhalu Gaad waterfall lies 10 kilometers from Mukteshwar town and 5 kilometers from the Club Ten pine lodge Mukteshwar. To reach the falls, drive from town to village Dhari. Park your vehicle in the open area near a roadside shack and from there trek for almost 2 kilometers into the woods.

Crossing Stream and trails to Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The hike is a beautiful walk through the dense jungle with continuous ascents, and descents. The river flows along the trail and birds chirp throughout making the whole walk and place idyll. We crossed three streams in between the trek and at the end, there are huge rock boulders, which need to be climbed up and down to touch the natural clear pool filled with chilling water.

Stream on the way to Bhalu Gaad Waterfall in Uttarakhand

The total time to complete one side trek lasts from 45 minutes to an hour.

Tips for Visiting Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

  1. The hike is of an easy level, considering you need to cross the stream and climb rock in between.
  2. Ideally, visit the fall only between sunrises to sunset.
  3. There are no shacks near the fall, which is really good. So, carry your water bottle and snacks along. And remember not to litter around. Bring your wrappers and bottles back, to keep the fall and trails clean.
  4. The guide is available at the shack at Rs. 200/-. Hire him only, if you don’t want to catch the wrong trails and reach the unexplored villages.
  5. Entry to the Bhalu Gaad waterfall is free and the site can be accessed throughout the year.

Overall, the walk to newly discovered Bhalu Gaad waterfall is adventurous and it is a bird lover paradise too. We would have loved camping and watching stars near the fall, provided it was allowed.

If you like Bhalu Gaad Waterfall, please share it with your family and friends.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall in Uttarakhand

Also Read, post on Mukteshwar Town.

India, Tourism, Travel, Uttarakhand

Mukteshwar Town: The cocktail of calmness & serenity

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Mukteshwar town, once known as Muktesar (as mentioned in the temple Tiger Book) is a hilltop town and research center developed by Britishers in 1983. It is known for its temples, shrines, IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute), and the newly discovered Bhalu Gaad waterfall. Indeed, the town has its imprints in the books like Man-eater of Kumaon written by Jim Corbett.

Mukteshwar Town: The cocktail of calmness & Serenity

The Hill station Mukteshwar got its name from the 350 years old Lord Shiva, Mukteshwar Temple and it lies at 7500 feet in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. The place is calm, serene, green, and bountiful just like Binsar but after the visit, we can say it won’t be saved longer from the lures of advancements and commercialization. There are camping sites, homestays, and fancy overprized resorts. Some of these resorts have and will take away the innocence of this quaint settlement. Just hope we are proved wrong here and it remains a hill station instead of becoming hill city!

Himalayan Ranges - Mukteshwar Town

The valley is completely bounded by fruit orchards and coniferous trees. It gets pregnant in the months of May – July and makes the place look extra colouricious, with a green backdrop.

Also Read: Day Treks worth adding to Nainital Trip

How to Reach Mukteshwar Town

Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand lies 334 kilometers from Delhi and 50 Kms from Nainital. The only way to reach the town is by car or bus. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam which is about 65 kilometers from Mukteshwar.

We started our journey around 6 am from Delhi and reached by 3. So, one can reach in 8 to 9 hrs via car from Delhi.

Route from Delhi to Mukteshwar

Delhi – Moradabad- Nainital – Muktesshwar 

Route from Nainital to Mukteshwar

Nainital – Bhowali – Ramgarh – Mukteshwar

Condition of Roads

Roads are graveled and in excellent condition except for the few bad patches between Rampur and Rudrapur.

Mukteshwar Weather

Despite lying at low altitude, the hill station Mukteshwar escapes from the harsh heat waves as compared to other low lying towns and cities. The weather is pleasant in summers whereas winters are pretty cold and some years the valley too get snow-covered in months of December and January. Heavy Rainfalls occur between June – September.

Expected Mukteshwar Temperature

The expected temperature from December to February is between 1- 12 degrees Celsius, from March to April temperature lies between 5- 20 degrees Celsius. May is the warmest month with temperature varying from 12 – 25 degrees Celsius. June to September temperature lies between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. September onwards temperature starts dripping and minimum go up to 5 degrees Celsius.

About Mukteshwar 

The colonial town perched on the lush hilltop offers unobstructed, 180-degree views of the majestic Himalayan ranges from Nanda Ghunti to Trishul and from sacred Nanda Devi to Panchachuli range. These ranges adorn the quiet town just as the Rhododendron trees adorn the forest trails in Uttarakhand. They are not only majestic but too changes it hues from sunrise to sunset.

Things to do in Mukteshwar Town

Mukteshwar Temple

The centuries-old Mukteshwar Temple perches on the hilltop and offers 360-degree spectacular views of Mukteshwar town. The temple houses white marble Lord Shiva deity in the main sanctum, and wooden pillars with intricate carving circumference the main sanctum. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva killed the demon and helped him in attaining salvation.

Mukteshwar Temple in Mukteshwar town

Mukteshwar Dham was an abode of Saint Mukteshwar and today his disciples reside here. It is an ideal place to meditate and soak in the calmness and beauty of nature.

Chauli Ki Jali /Chauthi Jali

Just opposite to the Mukteshwar Temple, lays an overhanging cliff known as Chauli Ki Jali or Chauthi Jali. In the Kumaoni language, Chauli means rock and Jali mean hole. So, it is a rock with a hole in it. There is an interesting mythological story behind it – The Goddess and demon had a fight at this place. So, the trunk of an elephant, indefinite outlines of swords and shields on the rocks serves as a testimony of the battle.

Early morning view of Chauli Ki Jali /Chauthi Jali: Mukteshwar Town

Apart from this story, there is a Charlatan too linked to Chauthi Jali. Locals believe that if childless women pass through this hole on Maha Shivratri, she is blessed with a child afterward. And women actually attempt this, risking their lives. That is why it is Incredible India.

Hole in Chauli Ki Jali: Mukteshwar Town
Hole in Chauli Ki Jali
Close up view of hole at Chauli ki Jali

One can climb on the edge of the cliff to have a feel of being on the top of the world but it’s equally risky and we advise not to do. The tourism department had put boards everywhere to avoid falls. If adventure is up to your alley and you want to have an adrenaline rush with adventurous activities like rock climbing, then attempt it only under trained supervisors.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall

The Bhalu Gaad waterfall is a newly discovered 60 feet high fall, in the Mukteshwar town province. The word Bhalu Gaad comes from two words where Bhalu means Bear and Gaad means stream in the local language. So, the trail is considered to be a good location for Bear sightseeing too.  At the bottom of the fall, a rainbow can be seen, so locals have named it a Rainbow waterfall.

Crossing Stream on the way to Bhalu Gaad Waterfall in Mukteshwar Town

The Bhalu Gaad fall lies 10 kilometers from Mukteshwar. Drive from Mukteshwar town to village Dhari, and from here the further trek of 2 kilometers to Bhalu Gaad waterfall starts. The trek is a beautiful walk through dense jungle taking ascents, descents, and crossing streams in between. On the way, one can see beautiful birds chirping and singing. So, it is a bird watchers paradise. At the end of the fall, there are huge rocks that need to be climbed down and up to reach the natural clear water pool.

Bhalu Gaad Waterfall near Mukteshwar Town

Overall, the total time for the trek can be done in 45 minutes to an hour. It is a complete adventure package for 3 -4 hrs. Rest you can pack your food, spend the whole day in the dense jungle exploring the trails.

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and Sunset both lit up the sky in different hues and catching the first and last sun rays falling on the Himalayan ranges will be every traveler’s delight. So, it was on our list to watch both sunrise and sunset while being in Mukteshwar.

Himalayan peaks glowing at Sunrise in Mukteshwar Town

The ideal spot to catch both is Chauli ki Jali and PWD guesthouse in Mukteshwar. We left our hotel, Club ten Pine lodge Mukteshwar at 4:30 in the morning to reach Chauthi Jali. The first light spread at 6:00 am and it colored the sky in the shade of orange. The sky was misty but who could stop it from glowing. With time the clouds kept departing and the Himalayan ranges lifted their veil. The views were just breathtaking and our picture surely cannot do justice to what the actual beauty was.

Similarly, watching the sunset here is like a dream. Slowly the show began, again turning the sky into different shades and sun setting down, giving way to the moon.

Sunset in Mukteshwar Town

Seeing all this at the end of the cliff made me feel how small we are is in front of these mountains. These cliffs only separate us from the horizons and the beauty of nature is beyond all the beauties of the world.

Fruit Orchards

Mukteshwar – Ramgarh belt has earned the title of the Food Bowl of the Kumaon region. Here you can get to enjoy shiny yellow-green pears to bright red apples, delectable peaches, local edible berries, and pomegranates.

Local traditional food

The Mukteshwar town is a heaven for the culinary experience too. Do try smoked mutton, raw mutton snack, Madua chapatti for delightful taste with locals.

Smoked mutton Snack: Mukteshwar Town
Smoked mutton Snack

Also visit the original Choco House, for handcrafted European chocolates, but they are really expensive and variety is available only during the season.

Choco House in Mukteshwar town

Some Important tips

  1. Start from Delhi early morning to avoid traffic jams on the way.
  2. There are limited restaurants and Dhabas on the way, so do keep some snacks handy.
  3. Mornings and evenings are a bit cold in Mukteshwar, so always carry a sweater or shawl along. And in winter temperature can dip below negative also.
  4. Medical facilities are available in Mukteshwar town but for advanced care, one will have to visit Nainital only (55 kilometers).
  5. Respect local traditions and do try the local traditional food.
  6. Don’t litter around and bring your waste back from the treks and trails.
  7. All network operators run well in Mukteshwar.

So, if you are the one who wants peace and solitude, loves nature and listening to the air gushing through deodar trees, bird watching, and unlimited fresh fruits, then Mukteshwar town in Uttarakhand is the perfect getaway.

Mukteshwar Town

P.S: We did this road trip with club ten pine lodge, Mukteshwar. Thanks, Mr. Dheeraj & Mr. Praveen for organizing and showing the beautiful colonial town to AllGudThings.

Do, travel to these places of Uttarakhand too.

Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand

The Beautiful Binsar

Day Treks in Nainital

Harsil- The virgin village of Uttarakhand

Mana Village

Badrinath Dham

Tehri Dam

Auli 

India, Tamil Nadu, Tourism, Travel

Heritage Walk through a Historical Town: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

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Mahabalipuram, once known as Mamallapuram is a historical beach town which lies 60 km ahead from Chennai on the east coast in TamilNadu. The town is popular among the locals as a famous weekend getaway and is equally known among the UNESCO heritage lovers. Mahabalipuram has several monuments dating back to 7th and 8th century when the Pallavas returned from Sri Lanka to rule here and made this beach town as their thriving seaport. So, here in this Mahabalipuram travel guide, we will be briefing and opening up all the histories which you must know once visiting the monuments of this small historical town.

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History of Mahabalipuram Town

According to the legends, the name Mahabalipuram is derived from two words “Mahabali” and “Puram”. The word Mahabali comes from the King name Bali or Mahabali who once ruled this place and “Puram” in Sanskrit means a city or urban dwelling. So, together it makes Mahabalipuram. Whereas there is another legend theory thought that the Pallava King Narasimhavarman I, was a great wrestler and to honor him he was dedicated to the great title Mamalla. So, together the historical town got its name as Mamallapuram.Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

Heritage walk through a Historical town: Mahabalipuram Travel guide

Mahabalipuram town might be the first love of UNESCO world heritage site lovers but it too is a great place to admire sculptures, dwell into the caves, soak in the beaches and smell the fresh coastal air.

We did the early morning, heritage walk of historical town Mahabalipuram, during our visit to Chariot Beach Resort for #chariotbloggersretreat #ctbr #funatcbr. Also, read the activities at Chariot Beach Resort Mahabalipuram.

1.Shore Temple

The Shore temple, as the name says looks on to the shore of Bay of Bengal and is a part of UNESCO monuments listing. It is also one of the oldest temples in South India.

Ticket: Rs 30/- for Indians and Rs 500/- for Non-Indian; extra charges for videography.

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

The time required for exploring: 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your eye detailing.

Shore Temple - Mahabalipuram Travel guide
Shore Temple – Mahabalipuram Travel guide

The Shore temple is believed to be the only surviving temple of a set of 7 temples, whereas the rest temples are submerged under the ocean. Interestingly, during a briefing session about the temple, our guide too explained that a part of these submerged temples was visible during 2004 Tsunami when the water receded back by a kilometer or more. Indeed, we were taken to the ocean middle by the organized Catamaran, to witness the part of rock emerging above in the center. The locals believe this emerging rock to be one among the rest six submerged temples.

The complex has two similar pyramid shaped, 60 feet high temples inside which houses the idols of Hindu God Lord Shiva with his family and Lord Vishnu. Along with it, there are multiple small shrines, open halls and compound wall with statues of Shiva’s Vahana Nandi surrounding it. The sculptures are disfigured but the scaffolding around show the continuous restoration work carried out by ASI.

Shiva's Vahan Nandi surrounding Shore temple : Mahabalipuram Travel Guide
Shiva’s Vahan Nandi surrounding Shore temple

The intricate carvings stepped architecture and compound designs, clearly depict the architectural bent of mind these guys had. Shore Temple looks like a masterpiece when the sun rays fall on it during sunrise and sunset. Another worth mentioning point is that this temple was monolithic i.e. carved from a single stone, which is simply worth praises.

2.Arjuns Penance / Descent of Ganges

Ticket: Rs 10/- for Indian citizens and Rs 250/- for Non-Indians

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

Time required for exploring: 30 minutes to an hour

The Arjun’s Penance or Descent of Ganges is one of the largest sculptural art & perfect example of low relief work in the world. The carvings depict the Jungle scene with mythological Hindu God’s on the 27-meter long boulder.

There are two-three legend tales linked to this artwork. The first being – It is a Mahabharata scene where Arjun one of the Pandavas is praying in yoga posture in the jungle, to Lord Shiva for gaining powerful weapon to defeat the evil. The second tale is Goddess Bhagirathi along with Lord Shiva, receives River Ganga (depicted by a cleft in the sculpture along with snakes) on earth from Heaven. And all the animals rush together to quench their thirst, forgetting their predatory relations.

Arjuns Penance / Descent of Ganges: Mahabalipuram travel guide
Arjuns Penance / Descent of Ganges: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

Interestingly, the sculpture too has a shadow of Charlatans. The cat is seen depicting Arjun and mice praying to her. When the cat finishes the prayers, she devours over the mice as a prey.

If we leave the history apart, the whole artwork is to be relished and it is a great masterpiece made by Pallavas in the 7th century, despite the lack of high-end tools.

3.Pancha Pandava Cave Temple

Ticket: Free

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

Time required for exploring: 30 minutes to an hour

Just next to the Arjun’s Penance, stands the other 7th century UNESCO monument Pancha Pandava cave temple, which is also known as the Mandapa of five Pandavas. It is the largest cave temple and one of finest cut out architecture in Mahabalipuram.

Panch Pandava Cave Temple : Mahabalipuram travel guide
Panch Pandava Cave Temple: Mahabalipuram travel guide

In the complex, there are six columns in the veranda, with the carved lion base on five. The columns with lion base are a typical architectural style of Pallavas. Behind these five pillars lies another four pillars which divide the cave further into sections. The temple and some pillars are incomplete. Around the shrine is a long dark gallery to enter the main shrine.

4. Krishnas Butter Ball

Ticket: Free

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

Time required for exploring: Maximum 30 minutes

Walk 200 meter from Arjun’s penance on right, there stands miraculous 6 meter high, 5-meter wide boulder, inclined on a rock base. God only knows how it is stable there from past 1200 years? It not only left us wondering but centuries ago it left the Pallava dynasty King Narasimhavarn too amazed. To move it, Britishers even used 7 elephants but they were too unsuccessful.

Krishnas Butter Ball: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide
Krishnas Butter Ball: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

The Krishna’s gigantic Butter Ball is a famous attraction. People climb the huge rock to go near and move it. But till day nobody could. Look at us, even we are trying our muscle power on it.

5. Lighthouse

Ticket: Rs 10/- for Indians

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

Time required for exploring: 1 hr for both the lighthouses

From the Butter Ball, keep walking for almost 2 kilometers climbing the rocks, admiring complete incomplete temples and caves in between. Just ahead of the Lighthouse museum follow the narrow passage. It will take you to a huge gigantic rock which has Olankeeswara temple on top of it. The top of the temple was used as a lighthouse for some period. Pallavas used to light the oil lamp here from sunset to sunrise, for ships to follow the port.

Opposite to this temple stands the circular masonry tower made up of natural stone which is said to be a new lighthouse. It got opened to the public only in 2011. Adjacent to it lays the oldest lighthouse of India, built by Pallava King Mahendra in 640AD, which is now a protected monument.

Light House: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide
Light House: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

One must climb both the lighthouses to get the panoramic city views.

6. Panch Rathas

Ticket: Rs 30/- for Indians & Rs 500/- for Non-Indians

Timings: 6:00am – 6:00 pm

Time required for exploring: 1 -2 Hrs

Panch Rathas: Mahabalipuram Travel guide
Panch Rathas: Mahabalipuram Travel guide

The term Panch Rathas again is derived from two words – “Panch” meaning five and “Rathas” means Chariot. There is a theory that it was built to imitate the 5 Pandavas (Yudhistra, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev) and their wife Draupadi. Thematically and structurally all the chariots differ from each other and are carved out from a single monolithic stone. They too are pyramid shaped like Shore temple and have murals all over on their walls.

For details on the Ranch Rathas, you can check here.

Tips for Heritage Walk: Mahabalipuram travel guide

  1. The weather in Chennai is hot and humid, so do carry a water bottle and hand towel with you.
  2. Wear cotton clothes and flats to be comfortable and you really need to walk a lot.
  3. Take an authorized guide to know the history of these monuments better.
  4. Follow the rules and buy a ticket for watching these monuments.
  5. Still, photography is free but videography is paid inside these 7th-century old monuments.
  6. There are lots of vendor selling seashell and stone carvings around these tourist attractions. If you have to buy, then check the piece before buying and make sure to bargain.Heritage Walk though historical town: Mahabalipuram Travel Guide

P.S:  We did the heritage walk of historical town Mahabalipuram during the Chariot Bloggers Retreat organized by Chariot Beach Resort. and also read the activities at chariot beach resort mahabalipuram, we enjoyed.