OMG BUS RIDE IN INDIA!!! 🇮🇳🤪 Discover Mahabalipuram Near Chennai Tamil Nadu

Hi, Guys! In this video, we are taking you to Mahabalipuram, a small town in Tamil Nadu, India, famous for its incredible monuments and warm, welcoming people.

Our day trip to Mahabalipuram from Auroville (near Pondicherry) started with a slight delay. It took us over an hour to find a bus heading towards Chennai, and when it finally arrived, it was absolutely crowded, giving us a real, authentic Indian experience. 🤪

Crazy Bus Ride & Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Once we arrived, we hopped on an auto-rickshaw to take us to the famous Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO world heritage sight.

This group of monuments comprises a collection of ancient temples, rock-cut caves, and other architectural marvels dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Visitors to this site can also marvel at the iconic Shore Temple, which stands at the edge of the Bay of Bengal, with its intricate carvings and magnificent structure.

We started at The Pancha Rathas, or five monolithic chariots, which are rock-cut caves with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. 

Next, we visited the magnificent Mahishasuramardini Cave and enjoyed the stunning view from the top of the Lighthouse.

Fresh Caught Fish for Lunch in India

Overall, the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of South India, with its remarkable architecture, exquisite sculptures, and stunning coastal setting.

Being right there at the Mahabalipuram waterfront, we couldn't pass up on freshly caught fish for lunch at a tiny local restaurant where we met a fellow traveller from Australia.

The chef was so kind to let us film the cooking process and made us an incredible, finger-licking meal.

Shore Temple, Krishna's Butter Ball & Arjuna's Penance

We still had a few places to see around Mahabalipuram, so our next stop was the Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal. This complex of Hindu shrines and temples dates back to 8 century AD.

From the Shore Temple, we headed to a fascinating sight called Krishna's Butter Ball. It is a huge boulder perched precariously on a slope, defying gravity. The rock is believed to symbolise Lord Krishna's love for butter, hence the name. It is a popular tourist attraction and a must-visit spot in Mahabalipuram.

Our last stop for the day was Arjuna's Penance, a magnificent rock sculpture near Krishna's Butter Ball. The sculpture depicts the story of Arjuna, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata, and his penance to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.

Funny Coincidences: India is Smaller than We Think

After a long day of exploration, we were ready to head back to Auroville, this time in a private car 🙂  Just before leaving town, we ran into the same man and his daughter who were on the bus with us and another family we had met a week earlier at the Government Museum in Chennai and us! India is not as big as we thought after all.

Stay tuned for our upcoming adventures in India!

Enjoy the Video!