Caption: The Cover Photo - The Karukathamman Temple - Mahabalipuram.
Hi All,
IMPORTANT: Have you any suggestions for publishing 51 POIs consecutively? Kindly help with your idea.
This is an important series of posts about the different monuments of world-famous UNESCO Heritage sites in Mahabalipuram. This Photo-Walk and Tourist Guide carries a total of 51 POIs. We plan to publish all the POIs consecutively, following the serial number of the POI - The series will start shortly.
Introduction:
Mahabalipuram is a picturesque historical coastal city in Tamil Nadu around 60 km from Chennai. One of India’s oldest cities. Mahabalipuram stands at the top of the popular tourist destinations in Asia.
The 51 POIs are grouped into 4 Zones (+ a few stand-alone monuments - mostly, not very important) according to the location of monuments. In other words, if one visits 4 locations/zones, all the important POIs can be covered (List of POIs - Here). I seriously recommend reading the LIST of POIs post, before proceeding as this will be of great help to understand Mahabalipuram POIs in total*.* Zone 2 is the most important one according to me (for many reasons); this area covers the maximum number of POIs. The next importance goes to Zone 3, then Zone -4 and at the end Zone -1.
(However, Zone -1 also has an important Monument - “The Tiger Cave”).
A minimum of 2 days and one night is needed to cover all the POIs. If you start day -1 morning at 9 am from Zone -1, by noon you can reach Zone -2 and cover all POIs including the sunset. Day -2 early morning start with sunrise & then Zone -3 - by afternoon and after covering the museum you can reach Zone -4. If you plan to cover all POIs (including the stand-alone ones) and India Sea Shell, little shopping, etc., then you need 4 days fully.
How I did the first Photo-Shoots in 3 days will be covered in a separate post.
How a typical POI (point of interest) is explained in each post?
Every post will carry a cover photo
- The Cover Photo: Each cover photo has the following data.
- The POI number of each post is placed on the top left of the cover photo in a bold box.
- The Zone number is given immediately below the POI Number.
- On the top right, the #TeamIndia logo is placed. And the #TeamIndia posts’ serial number is provided just below the logo.
- The Name of the POI is prominently displayed (in LARGE letters) towards the lower-middle of the cover photo, as shown above.
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- Details of the POI: Each Post starts with the location of the POI, along with a brief description of the POI. Each post gives an overall idea about the monument.
- Photos related to the POI: Except for two POIs, we have provided relevant and contextual, 6 to 8 photos for every post.
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All the following details are explained in every post; these data will help you to plan and visit Mahabalipuram successfully.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Link - The link of the POI on the Google maps.
- Reference Link (Wiki), if available = Link - This link refers to another authentic document that gives more details about the POI.
- Heritage Importance = ?/5 (out of 5) The heritage importance of the POI (in my view), wherein 5/5 has the maximum Heritage importance.
- Photographic Importance = ?/5 (out of 5) This figure indicates the importance of photography of each monument.
- Visit priority = Low, Normal, Important & Very Important.
- Monument type = Type of the monument (eg: Structured, cave, mandapa, etc.)
- The Duration to see the POI. = How long will it take to cover each POI after reaching the destination.
- Entry Fee: Adult = INR?, Child = INR?, Foreigner = INR?, Camera – INR?.
- Visiting hours: Usually, it is 9 am to 5:30 pm in Mahabalipuram (Example of exemption: Sthala Shayana Perumal Temple)
- Photography: General guidelines for camera/lens/time of the day; flash photography is prohibited here.
The following are some of the special collections of photographs
Photo - 2. Caption: A picture of the merchants halted in Mahabalipuram in the ancient period.
Photo - 3. Caption: Another picture of the trading.
Photo - 4. Caption: Roadside shops selling Seashells, Snail’s shells & Pearls.
Photo - 5. Caption: The sculpture of Lord Vishnu, placed at the entrance of Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple. Photo - 6. Caption: Beautiful Handicrafts sold on the pathways/street shops. Photo - 7. Caption: Beautiful sculptures carved on the roof of the Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple hall. Photo - 8. Caption: Street Shop selling attractive Ceramic Pots. Photo - 9. Caption: Elegant Stone sculptures made by different artisans kept on the roadsides for selling.
There is a Master Index File for all the POIs and the same carries the details as follows:
Master Index File of POIs along with other details (Here)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | All in queue | 4 | 4 | Low | Structural | 15 |
| 2 | Thaniyamarnthamman Temple | Here | 2 | 2 | Low | Structural | 5 | |
| 3 | Rockcut Shiva Temple | Here | 5 | 5 | Normal | Cave Temple | 15 |
The explanation of the titles of each column.
- Serial Number of POIs
- Name of POIs
- Google Maps link to the mentioned POI
- #TeamIndia Post serial Number
- Importance of a POI according to its Heritage value (in my eyes).
- Importance of a POI according to its Photographic value (in my eyes).
- The Priority/Importance of visit (in my view)
- Monument Type whether it is a Ratha/Cave/Mandapa/Structural, etc.
- Approximate minimum Duration for covering a POI.
All the posts of Mahabalipuram published to date.
| Sl. No: | Introductory & General Posts - Title | Link | #TI No | Author |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planner | ||||
| 1 | #Mahabalipuram [01] - Introduction of 24 Posts about Mamallapuram (UNESCO), Tamil Nadu | Here | 68 | TravellerG |
| 2 | #Mahabalipuram [02] The different Names and the Mythical Story | Here | 70 | TravellerG |
| 3 | #Mahabalipuram [03] The MASTER GUIDE for this Series of POSTS | Here | 71 | TravellerG |
View more… Here
NOTE:
I understand that for many LGs, this lengthy post may be slightly boring and 51 consecutive posts also may be less interesting; however, any traveller who wants to plan a Mahabalipuram trip will find each of the posts very useful.
Hello dear, @DeniGu @BorrisS & @ErmesT , can you suggest a better way to present this series more effectively, please - eagerly awaiting your response to start publishing the POIs.
Hope other readers also will give your guidance/suggestions.
Thanks in advance. (God’s grace, all the posts are ready).
@C_T @NareshDarji @AjitThite @Anil6969 @Smita_Patil @MukulR @Zuhralc
ones. And can you please just explain briefly the physical or just general difference between the seashells and snails I have a no. Of them often Mombasa trip still don’t know it’s different In leballing. Thank for tagging me Sir.
