Caption: The Cover Photo of Zone - 3.
Dear friends,
This post is a member of the Mega - Series of 51 posts, about Mahabalipuram, created as a Total “Photo-Walk and Traveller Guide” covering all the “Tourist Destinations” of Mahabalipuram. The 51 POIs are grouped into 4 Zones & a few stand-alone monuments according to the location of monuments. In other words, if one visits 4 zones, all the important POIs can be covered.
List of POIs & Headings - Here.
| POI | POI (Monument) Name | GMaps | TG Posts’ | Heritage | Photos | Visit | Monument | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Links | Links | IMP | IMP | Priority | Type | (Minutes) | |
| ZONE -1 | ||||||||
| 1 | Murugan Temple | Here | Here | 4 | 4 | Low | Structural | 15 |
Introduction to Mahabalipuram:
Mahabalipuram is a picturesque historical coastal city in Tamil Nadu around 60 km from Chennai. One of India’s oldest cities. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) stands at the top of the popular tourist destinations in Asia.
Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram has its roots (records) from the Sangam age (1st century BCE). The Pallava kings ruled here from the 3rd to the 9th Century CE; the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I founded Mahabalipuram in the 7th century AD. Most of the important monuments are dated between the 7th & the 8th century AD. (Some interesting notes - Here).
The previous post (POI No -32) of this series about ’ Souvenir shops’ is Here.
The next POI No -33 is ‘Mahabalipuram Beach’, Here.
This POI -32 A- Heritage Items & Antiques Sales Counter
Location: This POI comes in Zone -03, situated in the Shore temple compound, near the Group of monuments.
Zone Map:
Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & the zone map of Zone - 3, Mahabalipuram.
Heritage Items & Antiques Sales Counter is another POI situated in the Shore temple compound. It was set up and maintained by the Government. This sales counter is not a very prominent attraction of the tourists. In spite of less popularity, some tourists visit and purchase a few antique items from this counter for their souvenir collection.
The major attractions of this POI are old metal sculptures, various textile products, clay items, paintings, handicraft items etc. The sculptural value of most of the items is really good - but then, the price tags are also on the higher side. Some of the photos of the items are given below.
I found this POI very interesting and spent over 30 minutes in this shop; however, this POI is not mentioned anywhere else.
You need to take permission from the manager for capturing photos of the items even if they are kept outside the building.
Photo -2. Caption: The souvenir Shop - Heritage Items & Antique Sales counter.
Photo -3. Caption: An ancient “Swing” and some photos.
Photo -4. Caption: Different metal sculptures placed in the corridor of the Sales counter.
Photo -5. Caption: The metal sculpture of Tiger and Deer.
Photo -6. Caption: Another sculpture - Bharatha Natyam pose.
Photo -7. Caption: Another idol carrying a lamp
Photo -8. Caption: Another posture
Photo -9. Caption: Lady with Veena
Photo -10. Caption: Sculpture of a horse head.
*
*Photo -11. Caption: Photo of the Veena (musical instrument), made of metal.
Photo -12. Caption: The metal sculpture of Lord Ganesha.
Accessibility: Wheelchair can push through the path.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Wiki) = N/A
- Heritage Importance = N/A
- Photographic Importance = 4/5
- Visit priority = Normal
- Monument type = Sales counter/Shops
- The Duration to see the POI = N/A
- Entry: Included in the Shore temple ticket. (The building is within the shore temple compound)
- Visiting hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm (Kindly reconfirm the entry fee & visiting hours before your trip).
- Photography: (Need permission) Articles outside the building is simple to capture; inside, if they allow, care should be taken for low light exposures.
- How to reach: By Railway: Nearest Railway stations are Chengalpattu (29 km) and Chennai (48 km) well-connected with many Indian cities. By Airways: Chennai International Airport (55 km) away from Mahabalipuram. By Road: Private/Public bus services can be availed from many cities of Tamil Nadu and South India including Chennai and Chengalpattu to reach Mahabalipuram.
@Docgaurav @Saiyen @GaziSalauddinbd @anandbc1983 @SadmanRafid @ravindus @Erna_LaBeau @PattyBlack @Keithclo @Giu_DiB
. I might be doing some impulsive buying if I were coming down here 
.