There are many monuments in Mahabalipuram and here is a easy and better way to visit them. You can start near Krishna's butter ball. Parking is available nearby. Not very spacious one but manageable. The entry ticket is 40/- for Indians and we can visit all the monuments with the same ticket. The list of monuments is as below (all within walking distance ) Krishna's butter ball Trimurti cave Ganesha ratha Arjuna's penance Pandavas Cave Krishna mandpam Other 2 places are located within 1-2 kms from this place. Pancha Rathas Shore Temple All the monuments close at 6pm except for Shore temple which is open till 9 pm.

The monuments of Mahabalipuram are truly great examples of Pallava architecture. These monuments were actually curved out of single rocks and that also with ancient equipments. These monuments are located pretty close to one another and are basically walkable. Found many people parking their four wheelers around Pancha Rathas or Shore Temples and covering the other monuments by foot. One can get a single ticket for all the monuments at any of the counters and use it to visit all the monuments for that day.

An amazing place to see sculptures from the Pallava era. I was visiting this place after nearly two decades. Amazing to see the place has been done up so well thanks to the UNESCO heritage tag. Sad part is just outside the monuments we have so many shops and the traffic is nightmare. But the main monuments areas are beautiful and well maintained.

An important stop on any South India travel itinerary. These monolithic granite carvings are extraordinary. You’ll see areas where it appears they were practicing different images and techniques before applying to the main rock which makes them feel more alive to me. Many sections weren’t completed but the artistry is extraordinary. Spread out over several acres it is a great way to spend a day. It is really astonishing to think about the effort applied to carve granite in such detail.

It’s worth visiting this place. It is one of the monuments in Mahabalipuram temple area. We visited these monuments while going to Puducherry. It’s on the way from Chennai, Avoid public holidays. It was too crowded when we visited on local festival public holiday. We couldn’t take proper pictures. Do hire a guide to know the history and significance of these monuments. There are government authorized guides available. It will take around 2.5 - 3 hrs to visit all monuments I.e. Panch Rathas, Butter Ball, Shore Temple and Arjun’s Penance. Shire temple view was amazing at Sunset. Entry fee is just Rs40.

There are several parts of the site, both small, and you'll need a car to get among them unless you really like to walk. Can get hot. Be sure to get a guide -- really helps. These are ancient shrines and cave temples carved out of stone and are truly impressive. A visit takes around 2-3 hours.

I went on tour of the monuments , arrived early but still hot, didn't take away from wanting to see all the monuments. I recommend a guide therefore you can be driven to all 5 sights. Shore temple, 5 ranthas, arjuna penance, beach and the 2 lighthouses. I enjoyed and was amazed by how these were built 1500 yrs ago by the Pallava dynasty and are still intact.

Wonderful rock caves and temples - many of single stone. Fantastic architectural skills of ancient Tamil dynasty. Fantastic skills in stone sculpture visible even today.

Really worth a day out to visit all the historical places and caves.. But it's good to start in the morning they charge Rs. 600 for a foreign tourist and with that one ticket you can visit all the places and it's strange they charge only Rs. 40 for Indian.

Maintained well inside the campus of the monuments but the Parking area and the entrance is not managed well. Needs more attention by the authorities. The Drive from the city to Mahabalipuram is quite far and could be tiring, Please plan for an early travel