My Visit to Ideal Resort, Mahabalipuram

A haven of sun, surf and sand. Embedded in the picturesque corromandal coastline near the architectural showpiece of Tamil Nadu -Mahabalipuram. A luxurious refuge in the lap of winds and the waves.. Wherein the hushed serenity, is situated, Ideal Beach Resort, a 50 km drive from chennai, the metropolitan capital of Tamil Nadu and the cultural gateway of South India.

Ideal Beach Resort is like a glowing gem nestled in a lush tropical garden, a paradise of birds

and butterflies. In this lap of nature is a haven of man-made luxury. Naturally, the in-house speciality is sea food-crabs, lobsters and a

wide variety of fish, straight from the nets of the local fishermen. Ideal Beach Resort, a peace and beauty crystalised for you.

Your leisure time you could visit our orchid farm at Mahabalipuram, Poonjeri Village. 30 different types and color of orchids are grown. 3 km from the resort. The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai, located around 50 kms away. One can get

flights for almost all major destination in India and Abroad. The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu, around 29 kms away from Mahabalipuram. Trains for Chennai and several their cities in South India are available from here.

Mamallapuram, the city of Mamalla, is after the title of great Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman-I (AD 630-68). It was a sea-port during the time of Periplus (1st century AD) and Ptolemy (AD 140) and many Indian colonists sailed to South-East Asia through this port town. While there is some evidence of architectural activity going back to the period of Mahendravarman-I (AD 600-30), the father of Mamalla, most of the monuments like rock-cut rathas,

sculptured scenes on open rocks like Arjuna's penance, the caves of

Govardhanadhari and Mahishasuramardini, the Jala-Sayana Perumal temple (the sleeping Mahavishnu or Chakrin at the rear part of the Shore temple complex) are attributed to the period of Narasimhavarman-I Mamalla

The notable cave temples here are the Varaha mandapa, Mahisamardini mandapa, Paramesvara Mahavaraha Vishnugriha (Adivaraha cave). These are in the Mamalla style while the Adiranchanda caves temples belong to the Mahendra period.
The caves here were once plastered and painted as indicated by the remains. After Rajasimha, there is lull in the architectural activity of the place, save a few additions during late-Pallava and Chola times. The grandiose Vijayanagara phase here is represented by the Raja Gopurams and the Sthala-Sayana temple, juxtaposed to the carved boulder of Arjuna's penance.
Recent excavations to the north and south of the Shore Temple have revealed rock-cut figures representing religious themes of period prior to the construction to the temple. Besides, a monolithic Bhuvaraha, a reclining image of Vishnu, the base of Durga shrine with deer and a square socket possibly to accommod
ate mahastambha
have also been exposed. To the south of the Shore Temple was exposed a stepped ghat facing the sea.

Of the nine monolithic temples found in Mahabalipuram, the most important are Five Rathas known after the famous five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata fame. These monuments are carved out a single rock with choice of all known forms of plan and elevations. While the Dharmaraja, Arjuna and Draupadi rathas are square on plan, the Bhima and Ganesa rathas are rectangular and Sahadeva ratha apsidal.

Open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Entrance Fee:
Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 10 per head.
Others: US $ 5 or Indian Rs. 250/- per head (children up to 15 years free)