If you will come to Madras (people use also new name: Chennai) there are at least two places in the area you should visit: Mamallapuram (known also as Mahabalipuram) and Kanchipuram… Both known for the interesting temples. They are located 60-70 km from Madras and I planed to use local bus to get there, but after arrival I found less expensive option: the bus tour offered by Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corp. They have their office at the end of my street: High Triplicane Rd. Full day tour will take you to both places just for 330 rp – but be prepared that it will be long and hot day – their bus is not a/c bus…
We departed at 6.30 am to Kanchipuram to visit there 3 great temples and a silk saree manufacture… On arrival our tour guide advised to leave the shoes in the bus -They can dissapear if you will leave them at the gate! OK – remember to bring solid socks with you!
The ornate gates of Kanchipuram are imposing! I was really impressed entering 59-m high “gopuram” of Shiva temple.
Entry fees are not included in the tour price. A guy in the gate asked me to pay 20 rp for use video camera inside the courtyard nad 100 rp for the entry of the foreigner. I asked for the ticket – he had only one – 20 rp for camera. It means that he just invented the second fee. Ask for the ticket first – other fees are illegal, they can ask only for donation – but it is not compulsory! And do not think they will allow you to go to the main temple – in all 3 temples of Kanchipuram only local people are allowed to go there!
In the afternoon we we driving through the local roads to Mahabalipuram. There are 5 little temples (rathas) cut-out from one huge rock to see – I liked them most… You pay here 5 USD to enter both: ratahs and the majestic (but not too big) Shore Temple on the coast. Both places are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. And are worth to see… I came back to the hotel at 7.30 pm – tired, sweaty but happy…
