Our half-day tour takes in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mahabalipuram, a fantastic collection of open-air bas-reliefs, structured temples, man made carved caves, and rathas (chariots) that are scattered approximately 58km south of Chennai. The area was once an important port for the Pallava dynasty between the fifth and ninth century and as a result attracted great poets, dramatists, artists, scholars and saints. Because of this the temples around Mahabalipurum are some of South India’s most impressive displays of creativity, heavily influencing temples across the country and even in Indonesia and Cambodia. Spending half a day exploring these temples with your experienced guide is a real highlight in this part of the Coromandel Coast.