Oldest Lighthouse in India - Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu

[JohnPeter]

I would like to share my experience of visiting India’s oldest lighthouse at Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram is one of the highest tourist attractions in India. It is just 55km away from Chennai city, has many single Rock Carved Monuments and temples which are declared as World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Among them, is the lighthouse the stunning beauty of Mahabalipuram because it is made of natural rock. The oldest tower built around 640 AD by Pallava Dynasty and the second tower was completed between 1887 to 1904.

Those days there was no electricity, so maybe fire lights were used and also this place functioned as a watchtower. And a lot of rock carved artistic work taken place here in this rock and throughout Mahabalipuram.

Here is the list of other places you can visit near Mahabalipuram and in Chennai: https://goo.gl/maps/Na1dQVtvYZo

Thank you,

John Peter

[Petra_M]

Hello @JohnPeter ,

Great post as always, thanks for sharing!

I’m glad that I can learn more and more about India through your posts. This place is impressive, and even if you have to climb, worth the effort. The rock on the second photo, looks like a huge elephant for me. Is it crowded? Is there an entrance fee?

PS: I’m moving your post to Travel topic section, as it fits better there.

[JohnPeter]

Thanks dear @Petra_M for loving India and hope soon you will visit us!

Mahabalipuram is the must visiting spot in India, has great history and art. There are so many other great rock engraves and rock cuts are around this place. Everyday many international and local tourist visit this place.

During weekend and holidays it is crowded, especially to visit lighthouse top we need to wait, as the staircase is very narrow and slanting. No lift, very difficult for aged and overweight people. Most of the pictures I added here are taken from the top ?

Great observation, indeed the rock looks like huge elephant.

Entrance fee is for visiting light house and Shrine. For natives it is less than one US DOLLER for foreigners to visit both the place around 10 US DOLLERS.

I am sure, it is worth ?

Yes dear @Petra_M, I start loving my own neighborhood just because of local guide program. Everyday I am finding something new and interesting. I have given my list of places to visit in Chennai, I started with ten place, now it is more than 170 unique places, still adding.

Proud local guide!!!

[NirmalTeja]

Wonderful post @JohnPeter most historical place Thank you for sharing with us…

[Petra_M]

Thanks for all the information @JohnPeter , and I can’t wait to see your next post!

[Prabagaran]

Fantastic capture. It’s really amazing. Goodluck Mr.JohnPeter

[StephenAbraham]

@JohnPeter Thanks for sharing nice photos and information. Still, one important photo missing… so I am adding

Krishna’s Butter Ball

https://goo.gl/maps/uNGxP4C9o7r

[photo below] Guess who was trying hardest to push it… and didn’t see the family behind.

[JohnPeter]

Dear @StephenAbraham please down push the butter Ball, woman and kids are sitting

Yes bro, you are right I have not mentioned few important places including Krisha’s butter ball.

Happy to see you have already visited these places and the photo you shared is so good.

[JohnPeter]

This place was already visited by our local guides team @TravellerG

@Saravanakanth, @MohanVee , hope to get their pictures of other important places in Mahabalipuram

[MohanVee]

@JohnPeter Here is my shoot.Thanks for asking :))

Mahabalipuarm is my favourite place & very near to my home town too. I have many nostalgic moments here.

I think you are missed to visit Light House Mueseum! ?.

[Abir_BD]

@JohnPeter

Went there from Bangladesh with my mom back in 2019. The old one was just awesome. Specially the art works embedded over granite were awesome and astonishing. So I took some closer shot. I am sharing the dramatic one.