"Mahabs is no longer clean". Review on Mahabalipuram

Well I have visited Mahabalipuram for over more than 4 times yet and 2 times was little detailed one.  The Mahabs is located about 60 kms south of Chennai beach and can be reached while travelling south on East coast road(ECR).  Previously mahabs was used to be the main tourist attraction for all including foreigners and School tours.  Even my mom had visited mahabs twice as School trip when she was a kid.

The Mahabalipuram has the following attractions -

1) Pancha Rathas -

Also known as Five Five Chariots. The Five Chariots are Draupadi ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Bhim Ratha, Dharmaraja Ratha and Nakula-shadeva ratha. These rathas were 7th century Indian rock-cut architecture depicting Arjuna's dynasty Force.  The place is full of sand, statues and is nice for photography.  You need to get a ticket to enter this place and is maintained clean because it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a green park right adjacent to this site where one can relax.

2) Mahabalipuram Beach -

The another main Attraction place which was once most famous among romantic couple. Even today one can see a lots of College based love couples roaming around in there.  The beach sand is not so great and is dirty. But beach is good to enjoy and to cool yourself.

3) Mahabalipuram Shore Temple -

The Shallow side of the temple is ruined but the shore side is still nice and good to visit. But I never saw many people visiting this temple because it is not maintained to tour visits anymore and has become dirty. The temple was constructed in the 7th century during the rule of King Narsimha and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This one is also an another UNESCO World Heritage Site but not maintained well.:(

4) Lord shiva museum site -

Here u can see the artifacts collected on the shore of mahabalipuram preserved for tourist attraction and is now served as Museum.  Many don't visit here too including myself.

5) Shore side shopping -

Another famous low ride shopping place which attracts a lots of people who visit mahabs.  U can get many items here like sea based items, key chains, Toys, eatables and so on.  Even you can get some quick eateries here.

6) Rocky hill and Old Lighthouse -

This is another famous place in mahabs and also the main reason why people still visit mahabs. The rocky hill has a Lighthouse built by British in 18th century. This place still serves as the main tourist place.  There is a way carved on those hills to reach the light house top and one can get the full view of mahabalipuram from top there.  A best place for bird eye photography.  But I never got an opportunity to take a photo here because I missed my camera on both the occasions.

Rock carving - this one also a good place to see the sculptures and for photography. its right below the hills.  The Down hill covered by a lots of trees making the place cool and best for couples and families to relax. There is also park right behind the rock sculptures.

7) Other attractions are - Sthalasayanap Perumal Temple & ASI Park.  I never visited these two places so I have no idea about them. But will visit them next time when I go to mahabs.

There are lot of Resorts in this location which is actually suitable for foreign tourists.  Since I stay a Chennai, I never knew about Resorts and never needed one.  But people say, most of all resorts are famous.

It was used to be very clean place before since it was a heritage site and maintained well by the govt.  But now the whole of mahabalipuram has got very dirty due to dust and littering.

Verdict - Overall, if you haven't visited this place yet, you can definitely visit this place. Or else it just a time waste.

Best time to visit mahabs is winter.  Don't visit in Summer!