Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
352 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
148
Average
75
Poor
8
Terrible
7
Geneats
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Honestly, don't bother. You must buy a separate ticket; it’s not included in the ticket required to visit the temples, and the price seems to be higher for foreigners. There’s a woman with a whistle who’s supposed to make sure 20 people visit the top and come back at designated times, and she does a terrible job, creating a somewhat unsafe situation. The stairs are terminally clogged with people too scared to keep going up at more than a snail’s pace, who refuse to give any room for people to try to get down. There’s no understanding that people going up need to do so against the rail, and people coming down need to do so against the wall.
The outside walkway is narrow and equally ungoverned. Everyone clogs at the door, trying to get their perfect overhead shot of the temple hill, and takes way too long doing so chatting on Facebook Live or whatever when they should be recording a ten-second video and moving along. The walkway is too narrow for two people, yet people squeeze past each other back and forth in whichever direction; there’s no understanding that everyone will get their pictures faster if they slowly circle the top in one direction. Parents carry infants and toddlers upstairs and outside in their arms despite the guard rail being only waist-high, and people with huge cameras jostle with them dangerously.
The worst part is, the view is nothing to write home about. People calling it the ‘view of a lifetime’ in their reviews just haven’t traveled much. The view of the Olakkannesvara temple is no better from the top of the lighthouse than from the rock the lighthouse is standing on, and the town and beach are unimpressive, even from above.
The outside walkway is narrow and equally ungoverned. Everyone clogs at the door, trying to get their perfect overhead shot of the temple hill, and takes way too long doing so chatting on Facebook Live or whatever when they should be recording a ten-second video and moving along. The walkway is too narrow for two people, yet people squeeze past each other back and forth in whichever direction; there’s no understanding that everyone will get their pictures faster if they slowly circle the top in one direction. Parents carry infants and toddlers upstairs and outside in their arms despite the guard rail being only waist-high, and people with huge cameras jostle with them dangerously.
The worst part is, the view is nothing to write home about. People calling it the ‘view of a lifetime’ in their reviews just haven’t traveled much. The view of the Olakkannesvara temple is no better from the top of the lighthouse than from the rock the lighthouse is standing on, and the town and beach are unimpressive, even from above.
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siddhartha
Kolkata (Calcutta), India542 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Mahabalipuram light house oldest light house. If you want to see awesome landscape view from top so you have to go upstairs. Their is no lift, so have to use stair. But senior person should careful during visit. Entry fees is ₹10 for adult and ₹5 for child. Opening time-10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5:30pm.
Written November 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hooray H
London, UK2,257 contributions
Mar 2020
Great view of the sea & the countryside but not worth the long journey from Chennai.
Tickets at entrance & then a spiral staircase. Beware they ask to see the ticket again at the top- whatever for? Compele time wasting. How ridiculous. I could hardly have got in through the barred windows!
Bothering me after climbing up, hot & bothered! Typical uneducated stupidity!
Tickets at entrance & then a spiral staircase. Beware they ask to see the ticket again at the top- whatever for? Compele time wasting. How ridiculous. I could hardly have got in through the barred windows!
Bothering me after climbing up, hot & bothered! Typical uneducated stupidity!
Written May 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Known Traveller
34 contributions
Feb 2020
Yes, i would say Light house would be a host in Mamalapuram(Mahabalipuram), The steep steps inside and the view at the Top is really mesmerising. You find a Circular step to reach on to the top. Steps are to small and you could slip, it is advised to be too careful while climbing and descending.
Written April 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew McConnell
Wroclaw, Poland12 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Looked like you couldn't go inside. You can get just as good a view from the monument on a hill/rock very close by. In general the light house wasn't anything special - maybe only at night it is interesting to look at.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Khushbu Mehta
Bengaluru, India2,509 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Located inside d Group of Monuments. U can see it from outside in d same ticket u bought for the monuments. To climb the Light House( u should really do it) its 10/- ticket. Amazing experience. Absolutely crazy views from the top. Loved it
Written January 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shourjendra D
Kolkata (Calcutta), India3,657 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Quaint but functional lighthouse stands tall among the stone and rock relics of Mahabalipuram.
Seen from quite a distance,this is iconic structure and tourists throng the place to get a bird's eye view of the place.
Prepare to climb around 100 odd stairs. A fee is charged to get to the top.
I didn't feel like climbing up in the spectacularly hot April Sun
Seen from quite a distance,this is iconic structure and tourists throng the place to get a bird's eye view of the place.
Prepare to climb around 100 odd stairs. A fee is charged to get to the top.
I didn't feel like climbing up in the spectacularly hot April Sun
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ace Vijayan
Chennai (Madras), India237 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Not a very tall lighthouse but the climb is a little tedious owing to the narrow steps and people climbing up and down the stairs at the same time. Not very safe for children for below 5 years of age as most can't negotiate the stairs on their own - especially the one at the very top. The view is good - you can see the shore and the sea and some of the land mass. But this a small lighhouse and you can complete your circle in a minute.
Unfortunately, there are idiots who idle in the walkaway and watch videos on their phone. So I just wanted to get the hell out of the place.
This is one of those govt places which hasn't been graced with the knowledge of the introduction of technology in our lives. Why? Well, they charge INR 20 and INR 25 for Camera and Video Camera respectively, However, you are free to carry your mobile camera and take pictures and videos for free. Places like this give me the creeps and takes me back 30 years.
Admission price: Adult- INR 10/, Child- INR 3/
Departure price: Free for all ages (Just kidding)
Unfortunately, there are idiots who idle in the walkaway and watch videos on their phone. So I just wanted to get the hell out of the place.
This is one of those govt places which hasn't been graced with the knowledge of the introduction of technology in our lives. Why? Well, they charge INR 20 and INR 25 for Camera and Video Camera respectively, However, you are free to carry your mobile camera and take pictures and videos for free. Places like this give me the creeps and takes me back 30 years.
Admission price: Adult- INR 10/, Child- INR 3/
Departure price: Free for all ages (Just kidding)
Written April 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manu_klm
Chennai (Madras), India214 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Recently visited to Chennai , mahabalipuram. A light house near the shore is interesting to watch a perfect view a Mamallapuram, the ancient Chera Chola dynasty..Now it is opened to public and till 6 PM it is allowed to go to the top of the light house. It is very interesting and the way to go upstairs little bit difficult for elders..
It's worthy to visit this place. You can get a complete view of Mahabalipuram. Very interesting and beautiful. The fee is small, about a 10 bucks only ,Camera allowed. Don't moss this attrction when you are in Mamallapuram.
It's worthy to visit this place. You can get a complete view of Mahabalipuram. Very interesting and beautiful. The fee is small, about a 10 bucks only ,Camera allowed. Don't moss this attrction when you are in Mamallapuram.
Written July 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sri Satya Sai S
Hyderabad, India686 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
People can climb to the top of the light house and can experience spectacular views of ocean and mahabalipuram town. It's nicely maintained.
Written July 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akhil Raj- Dream catcher
Angamaly, India48 contributions
Is those all places in a single compound or not?
Seashore temole, five rathas, cave, krishna mandapam and other things
Anne N
Dorchester, UK48 contributions
They are all really close and easy walking distance take sun protection and water. Some are free to walk around and some charge a small entry fee.
Sunand S
The Hague, The Netherlands584 contributions
Hi Can any one tell me sequence of covering all the places starting from Trimurti cave to seashell museum , which attraction to visit first , and then .... i have 5 year old kid ,and one day ...
colinson
Mainz, Germany128 contributions
We benefited from an early start at the five rathas as the coachloads of tourists only arrived as we were leaving. This may depend on the day and the weather. This is also the only site where your five-year-old might prefer a taxi ride to a lengthy walk. With the beach temple it's a question of how tired his/her legs are.
p.s. Don't take a nap!
Antara P
Bengaluru, India6 contributions
what is the timing for lighthouse?
Dr Sathish MD
23 contributions
10 am to 4 pm.
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Claim your listingMahabalipuram Lighthouse - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Mahabalipuram Lighthouse:
- UNESCO Listed 7th Century Mahabalipuram Trip (From $43.04)
- South India Tour- Temple Architecture and Backwaters (From $942.71)
- Tamilnadu Heritage Tour Package (From $631.21)
- Archaeologist curation only Mahabalipuram Trip (From $70.70)
- Mahabalipuram Private tour from Chennai by car with guide and lunch by Wonder (From $99.00)
- Hotels near Mahabalipuram Lighthouse:
- (0.17 mi) Vilasam
- (0.18 mi) Vilasam
- (0.21 mi) INDeco Mahabalipuram
- (0.29 mi) Hotel Mamalla Heritage
- (0.19 mi) OYO 12785 ART Guest House
- Restaurants near Mahabalipuram Lighthouse:
- (0.44 mi) Babu's Cafe
- (0.54 mi) Fish and French Fries
- (0.23 mi) Neelam Cafe & Restaurant
- (0.23 mi) Burger Shack
- (0.65 mi) Waters Edge
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse Information
Excellent Reviews | 114 |
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Very Good Reviews | 148 |
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse Photos | 347 |