Shore Temple
Shore Temple
4.5
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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4.5
1,672 reviews
Excellent
878
Very good
590
Average
158
Poor
30
Terrible
16
Ocean lover
13 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
An iconic tourist destination in a very small town . It witness the century old monuments everywhere around the town. Because the monuments are situated with some amount of distance to one another. But entry ticket is common for all the monuments.
There tourist guides are available to know the story of the temples but I went on my own .Because I had a book and a map of the town and monuments.
Ample numbers of accommodations are available around the city which starts from homestay to luxury hotels choose according to your budget.
Lots of restaurants are there inside the town but still a bit lack for vegetarian gourmets.
I had just only one bad experience on selecting a sandals on beach. Near beach I purchased a leather sandal ( SO CALLED ) near shore temple. That was looks good and he said it is a pure leather and handmade since I am not aware to distinguish the difference between leather and thick paper. It was very attractive and fully polished in brown to hide the quality of the sandal. He said it 650 ( but if you negotiate will give for even 300)
I made a bargain and paid 500. I just used it for 3 days and I surprised that there was a thick papper like ( board ) attached inside. This is my only advice and never think of buying this. Rest all a great experience.
The another coastal town pandycherry is approximately 106 km from here. But still lot's things to see around mamallapuram like tiger cave, crocodile bank, dakshin Chitra, eagle mountain and etc.
Hope my review would be helpful for future travelers..enjoy and keep traveling 🙂.
There tourist guides are available to know the story of the temples but I went on my own .Because I had a book and a map of the town and monuments.
Ample numbers of accommodations are available around the city which starts from homestay to luxury hotels choose according to your budget.
Lots of restaurants are there inside the town but still a bit lack for vegetarian gourmets.
I had just only one bad experience on selecting a sandals on beach. Near beach I purchased a leather sandal ( SO CALLED ) near shore temple. That was looks good and he said it is a pure leather and handmade since I am not aware to distinguish the difference between leather and thick paper. It was very attractive and fully polished in brown to hide the quality of the sandal. He said it 650 ( but if you negotiate will give for even 300)
I made a bargain and paid 500. I just used it for 3 days and I surprised that there was a thick papper like ( board ) attached inside. This is my only advice and never think of buying this. Rest all a great experience.
The another coastal town pandycherry is approximately 106 km from here. But still lot's things to see around mamallapuram like tiger cave, crocodile bank, dakshin Chitra, eagle mountain and etc.
Hope my review would be helpful for future travelers..enjoy and keep traveling 🙂.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew McConnell
Wroclaw, Poland12 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Beautiful place right on the beach - which means you get a nice breeze as well. There is also a toilet and cafe here (although they weren't exactly the cleanest.
While I visited the center of the temple was under renovation which was a little disappointing. I also recommend coming during the weekdays as I noticed closer to the weekend it got much busier - especially with local tourists (which is good to see heritage is supported so much here!)
FYI: you can buy a ticket here and it gets you entry to all the monuments in Mahabalipuram
While I visited the center of the temple was under renovation which was a little disappointing. I also recommend coming during the weekdays as I noticed closer to the weekend it got much busier - especially with local tourists (which is good to see heritage is supported so much here!)
FYI: you can buy a ticket here and it gets you entry to all the monuments in Mahabalipuram
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pavan Kumar h
Bengaluru, India32 contributions
Dec 2019
There was nothing that made me feel special in whole of Mahabalipuram. This temple (so called) has no god inside that is being worshiped.
Mahabalipuram as a tourist destination is a collection of some ( may be 4 or 5 ) carved temples and carved rocks which will look new only if you haven't seen ANY OF the ancient sculptures like below (architecture, stone carvings etc). Mahabalipuram is less than 10% of these below.
Hampi, Belur, Halebeedu, Chitradurga, Melukote, Sharavana Belagola, Nanjanagoodu, Tirupathi, Kalahasthi etc.
Mahabalipuram as a tourist destination is a collection of some ( may be 4 or 5 ) carved temples and carved rocks which will look new only if you haven't seen ANY OF the ancient sculptures like below (architecture, stone carvings etc). Mahabalipuram is less than 10% of these below.
Hampi, Belur, Halebeedu, Chitradurga, Melukote, Sharavana Belagola, Nanjanagoodu, Tirupathi, Kalahasthi etc.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
@TraveLover
Chennai (Madras), India292 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The temple was constructed by pallava king in devotion to God Shiva. Like this many temples I think 4 others were already consumed by ocean. And scholars say there is town underneath of the shore bed. Many stone pillars and stoops were found. The only temple left is just this one. But the way our visitors treat it so horrible. They never knew the value of this ancient sculpture and the hard work of the stone artist. Plenty of nandi statues all around and all borne the saltiness in the ocean air. But stones in the main temple were cooler at the time of our visit 11 am. The walk ways are maintained very well. They need to maintain this sculpture for our future generation. Great piece of work
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna_in_India
New York City, NY603 contributions
Dec 2019
The Shore Temple, a World Heritage Site, was built by Pallava King Rajasimha in the 7th century. Made from sandstone with a granite base, it is the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. It is a good example of temples constructed in the Dravidian style.
The temple's three sanctuaries are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The temple has two tall pyramid-shaped towers topped by octagonal domes. The temple walls are topped by large sculputes of Nandi, Shiva's bull mount. Unlike the Panch Rathas, the Shore Temple was complete and functional.
The Shore Temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and is so near the sea, it has suffered considerable erosion, including from the tsunami in 2004.
The temple's three sanctuaries are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The temple has two tall pyramid-shaped towers topped by octagonal domes. The temple walls are topped by large sculputes of Nandi, Shiva's bull mount. Unlike the Panch Rathas, the Shore Temple was complete and functional.
The Shore Temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and is so near the sea, it has suffered considerable erosion, including from the tsunami in 2004.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M S P
Vadodara, India1,143 contributions
Nov 2019
This place of ancient Indian cultural heritage is a beautiful artistically sculptured temple of lord Shiva. Location on the sea shore is simply marvelous. Ambience is cool and calm. Temple is prehistorically old as seen in the corroded condition of the statues and idols. This monument gives and idea of India's glorious past and the artistic set up in religious places. While in Mahabalipuram, this is a must see place. Sea shore surrounding this temple is also very attractive for tourists.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin
Paris, France299 contributions
Nov 2019
The Shore temple, which was acting as a landmark for navigation hundreds of years ago, is an impressive complex of temples. The architecture is fascinating, the temples being built in granite and being actually quite high. It is interesting to see that two of the Indian gods are sanctified here (Vishnu and Shiva), which is somehow quite uncommon (although each given temple of the complex is dedicated to one specific god).
In addition, the view on the beach and the sea from the temple is also worth the detour. This was my best souvenir from my afternoon trip to Mahabalipuram.
In addition, the view on the beach and the sea from the temple is also worth the detour. This was my best souvenir from my afternoon trip to Mahabalipuram.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikan999
Bristol, UK571 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The temple shows its age, built in 709 AD it has been facing the sea, waves and blown sand since then However its position greatly adds to its interest. Easy to visit, the entrance fee of Rs600 includes many other monuments in the Mahabalipuram group of monuments. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMoni17
New Delhi, India1,155 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
A nice place, monument to must visit when you are around. Well kept by government with lots of greenery around. The view of sea is mesmerizing from this point. This place tells stories of ages much older than our modern civilization. Only if ASI could have not only maintained but tried to bring this place or the carvings any closer to its original shape. As telhe carvings have all eroded with time.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
niluanu
Chennai (Madras), India671 contributions
Jul 2021
Located a short distance south of the city of Chennai, the Shore Temple is part Group of Monuments were carved out of rock during the Pallava period(7th and 8th centuries) and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooking the bay of Bengal, the temple complex consists of three shrines built in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is possible to cover the sights of Mahabalipuram in a day trip from Chennai. For those looking for a more relaxed trips, resorts and hotels are available
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Binita Chovatia P
Ahmedabad, India
Is it compulsory for women to wear saree for worship?
Written 21 February 2019
No
But any sober cloth is ok. Like salwar suit etc.
Written 28 January 2020
How to get a government or a good private guide who speaks Hindi ?
Written 29 January 2019
(( Answer For Mahabalipurum / Mamallapurum Area Only))
No Guide available in Mahabalipurum / Mamallapurum as per your requirement .
If you stay in Chennai, Then all Reputed hotels have a contact / arrange Facilities for book a Guide as per your Recommendation or requirements . My advice is If You book a Guide Then Must Be Clear your check list of Places That where you have to explore, before start journey. Never Pay The payment Before The Tour & After finish the tour and when you back in your hotel in Chennai then you pay the payment to your guide.
There is One or Two Toll Tax stoppage from Chennai to Mahabalipurum . So must fix the rate / or teriff for your taxi / cab with the toll amount otherwise there is also a big confusion for the amount
((MUST KNOW)) - First thing to to in Mahabalipurum- Purchase Ticket
Ticket Counter - about 100 meter far away, across the front garden near small Market
**Ticket** - 40/- per Adult ( for Indians ) . One Ticket is for all ASI monuments ( Near By) in Mahabalipurum . So must keep Tickets till the end of the day for your full Journey .
On each Monuments The tickets must be check .
*"Only Pearl & shell Museum Tickets to be purchase separately , because it`s a private property"*
"before the Mahabalipurum On side THE CROCODILE PARK is also there which Tickets also purchase separately"
Must Have Umbrella/ Hats and water Bottles, Chapels, Shoes , Towells in Your Back - Bag , also having one large empty bag for your garbage , Empty food packs , empty water bottles.
Written 29 January 2019
1. What time does it open?
2. Can I take the baby stroller inside?
Written 12 October 2017
1. Can go early in the morning 6AM and allowed to stay till 6 PM all days of week.
2. I agree with Mr Rajiv ... the approach road is not even and there are steps to go within the compound. However, I am not sure whether the temple can be approached from backside.
Written 15 October 2017
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