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Mahabalipuram

During any Chennai child's school days in the late 2000 picnic or school excursion meant Mahabalipuram or the Crocodile park. In line of two's, kids will folk the Shore temple, the pancharathams, the Arjuna thapas and the butter ball in Mahabalipuram. A day's trip to this Mamallapuram - as it was curated by the Pallava king Mamallan, takes around 2 hours drive from the city as we have to cover a distance of 85 kms through OMR (Taramani, Padur, Thiruporur) and ECR.
After crossing 2 tolls in OMR, the last bit of the path is through ECR whose toll charges Rs.56 and then the entry to Mamallapuram monuments  is for a fare of Rs.75. There is ample parking space in the Sri SthalaSayana Perumal Temple compound. Just diagonally opposite to this is the Pancharthas. The elephant carving is seen here.
Being a weekend we could see huge number of visitors here, many north Indians. The stone art was appreciated by all witnessing it. 
Selfies and photographs keep flashing as we go around these stone marvels. All the monuments here come under the Archaeological Survey of India and get protected.
Next we move towards the Shore temple. The once lone temple near the shore surrounded by rocks is now the center of attraction of well maintained complex. 
In the evening as the sun began to set the temple stood in all glory as a scenic beauty. Wonder by ancient Tamils.

And yes, the trip to Mahabalipuram is still enthralling after all these years. Sun setting behind. 
The beach beyond,
Temple tank as we walk out of the road leading to the shore temple,
A good filter coffee in the age old Mamallan hotel helped us refresh for the drive back home.
So until we hit the road again..
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Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

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