Stunning Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

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The UNESCO temples of Mahabalipuram had been on my travel bucket list for a long time. Though I had passed through this beautiful town a couple of times earlier, I never got the chance to explore all its temples properly — my visits were always short stopovers during road trips. This time, I finally decided to dedicate a couple of days just to explore Mahabalipuram and its ancient wonders.

Mahabalipuram is about 350 km from Bengaluru, and it takes around 6 to 7 hours by car. The best route is via the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH48) and then along the scenic East Coast Road (ECR). The drive itself is lovely, especially once you get closer to the coastline.

The best time to visit is between November and February, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing. Early morning or evening visits are perfect if you want to enjoy the cool breeze and catch the golden light on the temple. We, however, ended up visiting in the afternoon, and the heat made everyone tired and hungry — lesson learned for next time!

We began our exploration with one of the most iconic monuments — the Shore Temple. This magnificent temple stands proudly near the Bay of Bengal and is one of the oldest stone temples in South India, built during the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century. The temple’s name comes from its beautiful seaside location, offering breathtaking views of the ocean.



One thing that was a bit disappointing, though, was the restriction on DSLR cameras. Surprisingly, there were no signboards mentioning this rule, but the security guards didn’t allow DSLR photography, even after a long conversation. Eventually, I had to keep my camera aside and capture the moments using my mobile instead.

Walking through the temple complex, we admired the ancient carvings and intricate stone sculptures that have stood strong for over a thousand years. The temple has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and the peaceful surroundings make it a great spot to relax and click photos. The evening light show is something you shouldn’t miss — it tells the story of the temple’s history in a truly engaging way.

Despite that small hiccup, the experience was amazing. The Shore Temple is truly a must-visit in Mahabalipuram. Its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and stunning sea views make it a perfect place to soak in both culture and nature. Whether you’re a history lover, a photography enthusiast, or someone just looking for a peaceful escape by the sea — this temple will surely leave you mesmerized.


Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

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