Trip to Mahabalipuram ! ! !

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey." — Pat Conroy

I am a firm believer of what "Pat Conroy" says in the above mentioned quote. There are so many anecdotes, small conversations, mouth watering dishes, expressions on locals face etc.....which keep on playing in your mind, even after long time. We fondly remember those moments as they happened yesterday. I have traveled a lot across India, from Himalayas to Ganges Planes, from Deccan plateau to Western Ghats, from Desert in west to Hills in east. The one region that is still left unexplored is Southern region. Before I came down to Chennai, I had just visited Goa: if you can call that south. And here I am, living in Chennai for past one year and haven’t traveled anywhere outside the city.

Its not like that there was any lethargy on my part. First yr of job didn’t leave us with any holidays to spare and I didn’t have my camera to move around and capture my travel moments. Anyway now armed with a prosumer digicam, I tried to fix a trip for 3 day weekend of 15th August. As it has to happened, the biggest problem, that I have faced after coming to Chennai for any travel related plan is the lack of active participation from my colleagues and friends. A 3 day weekend means, everyone going to Bangalore again and again for meeting friends, guys give it a break !!! There are so many places, when we can go. In past one year, i have planned two trips and cancelled them cuz of just 1 or 2 members. The same thing happened again this time, Kept on waiting for people to take decision and in the end me and my roomie were left on our own to go to Kodaikanal. Of course going by Qualis (as we had planned) was out of question. I prefer it that way cuz u can stop anywhere, take some great shots, rest a little and you don’t have to depend on others for break or what to and what not to see. Anyway, the next best option was to look out for train or Bus Tickets. But, all tickets were already booked, nothing there saar;sir (as mentioned by travel agent) Don’t know, but it seems like people don’t like traveling out here in Chennai, just 3 semi luxury buses to Kodai, same no. to Ooty, 1 to Munnar....hardly any option. Traveling by state buses is back breaking job cuz of 12-14 hrs ride to these hill stations from here.

Well, not to disappoint myself any more, we thought of going to Mahabalipuram for one day trip. Its quite near to Chennai (60 kms) and road is quite scenic (not like Bombay-pune highway of course) but still beautiful in its own way. So after spending the Saturday at home and watching EPL matches (Thanks god, season has started again and we had a winning start this time-My team as always Manchester Utd.) and watching quite hyped up "Mangal Pandey" for night show from first row, we were ready for our trip on Sunday morning.

10 AM: Bus Stop - Chennai
Armed with our digicams, me and my Roomie (Anubhav) left home around 10 and went to Bus Stop. So many buses but all of them were so crowded that there was no place to even stand out there. Finally found a little less crowded bus and was able to find little space to stand in corner. Though I missed most of the scenic way along the sea on the route cuz nothing was visible from the bus. But, parts of the road are quite beautiful, with a lovely view of the sea lined with coconut trees, casuarinas trees, fishermen’s villages, catamarans neatly arranged along, or just plain beach sand……and nothing else.

Chennai-Mahabalipuram Bus

12 PM: Finally in Mahabalipuram :)
But we were hungry like anything, made me remember Vyom for a while and the way he says "Mom tummy main mouse jumping" (My nephew, might turn into another ABCD). We took an Auto and asked him to drop us to a good restaurant. He took us to a sea side restaurant but somehow it was not that appealing. So, we came walking back to a place called Moonraker's on Otha Vadai Street. The name itself (Bond Movie & British History-Pirates) was quite mystic to attract us out there and from outside it looked quite different. Once you step in, u cant stop yourself from comparing it with Goa, The whole seating arrangement, crowd (mostly foreigners)and setting were so much like Goan restaurants. The only thing different were the walls, which were covered with painted rock figures of popular deities.

Moonraker''s Wall

The Menu was totally continental, which was quite evident from No. of foreigners sitting out there. We ordered for two plate of toasts with honey and butter, One Cheese Onion Omelet, One Mexican Omelet, Two ginger-lemon honey tea. The food was too good and tea was heavenly, totally charged us up for the whole day. All this for 140 bucks (quite cheap). Stepped out in the street and walked up to Main Road. Now this whole street is one big amalgamation of different cultures. You can see a German pastry Shop, Continental Restaurants, Kashmir handicraft shops, Jalebis and Samosas, Book Vendors displaying Books from various languages, a Hidesign Outlet (at top end).

1 PM: Shore Temple
We then walked to Shore Temple on the beach. After taking entry tickets, we entered the complex which marked by wire mesh from everyside. Shore Temples were built on the orders of the Pallava King, Mahendra Verma Pallava. The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic, and constitute the early stages of Dravidian architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design are prominently visible. They are constituted by cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. The pillars are of the Dravidian order. The sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art. They are given the listing in World Heritage list.

Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram

Every rock out there seems to tell a story, of either an unfinished ratha in the making, or a rock getting split up indicating quarrying of granite in these areas. The rocks speak of the methods used in the ancient times to carve chariots or architectural forms out of them. Deep grooves are made into the rock surface and then the rock is split up. Either the rock is taken else where to build a structural temple or a sculpture or just left aside incase it’s an extra.

2 PM: Arjuna Penance, Rathas, Krishna Mandapam & Lighthouse
After shooting lots of pics, we had Slice and then moved toward other major attraction, which is Arjuna Penance. : It is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m X 9m.

Arjuna Penance

Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the river Ganges, issuing from its source high in the Himalayas. It also shows deities and other semi-divine creatures and fables from the Panchtantra.

After that we saw the caves, Rathas and Krishna Mandapam and the Light house. Though there is proper paved way to all the places, we tried some adventurous route on our way through the rocks and the view from such height was majestic. The weather was turning out to be quite plesant with lots of clouds in sky, with no sun in sky and cool breeze in air, it was the perfect day to roam around on rocks. We also met a monkey family on our way but they were quite scared to come near us and totally avoided us. It was only the second time i was wathcing a light house (first one in Orissa) and how much i wished of climbing on the top of it, but it was locked.

Lighthouse

Cloud Formation

3 PM: Back to Moonraker's
We sat on the top most point for some time and then moved back to the main road for lunch. We went to two-three restaurants but no one was able to appeal so much to spend sometime out there. Hence, we decided to go back to Moonraker's. Being lunch time, it was too much crowded, but we were able to find a table on first floor. Though, i am not a big fan of sea food ( Moonraker' is famous for its sea food) But, still we opted for Prawns in Ginger-Garlic Tomato Sauce with Steamed Rice and two Beers.

Moonraker's

There we came to know more about the restaurant. Its run by three Indian brothers and known for Western blues music apart from sea food. A tip to everyone, Once u enter it, do not get deceived by the humble exteriors, the smell of the food is out here is intoxicating. Prawns were delicious and hot, very well cooked. We rounded up the lunch with Pancake with filling of Hazelnut Sauce and Chocolate, topped with Vanilla Ice-cream. That was the perfect end. A must for everyone. All this for 340 bucks, totally worth its money.

5 PM: Bus Stand
Came down to Bus stand and started looking for a bus. With no mood to stand and no Empty buses in sight after 30 mins we decided to take an Auto to Kovalam (fisherman's Village). Took an Auto for 150 bucks and came down to Kovalam and from there we took Chennai City MTC bus to our place. Landed up home around 7:30 pm. Had a tiring day but in all totally satisfied with my trip. It was great to go out after a long time.

Total cost of the trip (2 Person in INR):
Bus - Chennai-Mahabalipuram : 32
Breakfast : 140
Shore Temple entry : 20
Mineral Water + Two Slice : 36
Lunch : 370 (including tip)
Auto to Kovalam : 150
Bus - Kovalam - Chennai : 26
Total Cost : Rs 874

Fun, excitement, experience : priceless (i know sounds clichéd)

Must do:
Carry Water
Visit all the places mentioned in tourist book
Visit Moonrakers’s
Wear sports shoes which has good grip

To Avoid
Beach – its dirty
City Buses- if you cant stand for 1-1.5 hrs
Touts and guides

ClIcK HeRe To ViEw PiCs oF ThE tRiP (for bigger pics and greater clarity @ Webshots)

One more link for pics (small size pics @ Yahoo Photos)

Till then, have fun guys.......
Sayonara!!!!