Trip Planner:   Asia  /  India  /  Tamil Nadu  /  Kanchipuram District  /  Mahabalipuram  /  Pancha Rathas

Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram

4.6
#4 of 40 in Things to do in Mahabalipuram
Architectural Building · Landmark
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pancha Rathas, a monument complex filled with impressive monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. Five seventh-century monoliths representing chariots stand in the complex, and you can walk into them like buildings. When you go, look for the Dharmaraja Ratha, a pyramidal structure adorned with elegant carvings. On its east side, the structure features Indra, the demigod of rain and storms. Elsewhere, find the huge monolithic sculpture of an elephant. Consider hiring a guide to escort you around the monuments and provide some historical background. Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Pancha Rathas by using our Mahabalipuram trip planner.
Create an itinerary including Pancha Rathas
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Pancha Rathas

FROM $46 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Tour to Mahabalipuram from Chennai
4.0
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Tours from $46 »
FROM $115 BOOK WITH VIATOR Full-Day Guided Tour to Mahabalipuram from Chennai with Lunch
5.0
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $115 »
FROM $123 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mahabalipuram day trip from Chennai by Wonder tours
5.0
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $123 »
FROM $140 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram in a day from Chennai with Guide & pick up drop
5.0
Duration: 13 hours
Tours from $140 »
FROM $44 BOOK WITH VIATOR An extraordinary - UNESCO Monuments Tour to Mahabalipuram from Chennai
5.0
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Tours from $44 »
FROM $70 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Tour to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram from Chennai
4.0
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Tours from $70 »
FROM $80 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mahabalipuram Day tour (Pick up and drop from Chennai hotel)
Duration: 8 hours
Tours from $80 »
FROM $133 BOOK WITH VIATOR Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $133 »
FROM $35 BOOK WITH VIATOR Historical Walking Tour in Mamallapuram
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from $35 »
FROM $162 BOOK WITH VIATOR 2 Days - Private Tour to Mamallapuram and Pondicherry from Chennai
Duration: 2 days
Tours from $162 »
FROM $191 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mahabalipuram and Dakshinachitra trip from Chennai by Wonder tours
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $191 »
FROM $341 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry trip from Chennai with 01 Night Accommodation
Duration: 2 days
Tours from $341 »

Pancha Rathas reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
901 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • By Rahul2604
    Most interesting among all Mahabalipuram monuments,5 ratha dedicated to pandavas carved from single monolithic stone,well maintained ,an unesco world heritage side,only online ticket after Covid.  more »
  • By Aditya_salian
    Pancha Rathas are one of the nine monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram and probably the most beautiful and detailed. Its a small place and you can complete the visit in about half and hour. Local...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Hariharan Vijayasarathy
    Very good place. Very peaceful and best for relaxation on weekdays and on winters. Very good place to spend leisure time. Very good place of Indian history and rich Indian culture. It is clean and well maintained. Lots of restaurants close by. Easy to find. Lots of guides speaking multiple languages like French, German, Hindi are available at the place.
  • By Nishant Dayal
    Nice ancient historical place. Must visit is you are in Chennai, all are single stone carvings and done wonderfully. Kudos to the Masons of olden times
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Mahabalipuram

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple ©
Religious Site
Shore Temple
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
Monuments at Mahabalipuram ©
World heritage site
Monuments at Mahabalipuram
4.6
Duration: 3 hours
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology ©
Zoo
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology
4.2
Duration: 1h 30 min
Mahishasuramardini Cave ©
Cave
Mahishasuramardini Cave
4.5
Duration: 3 hours

Side trips from Mahabalipuram

DakshinaChitra Museum ©
Specialty Museum
DakshinaChitra Museum
Muttukadu
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
Ekambareswarar Temple ©
Historic Site
Ekambareswarar Temple
Kanchipuram
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Kailasanathar Temple ©
Religious Site
Kailasanathar Temple
Kanchipuram
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
Thiruporur Murugan Temple
Religious Site
Thiruporur Murugan Temple
Tamil Nadu
5.0
Duration: 3 hours

Hidden gems in Mahabalipuram

India Seashell Museum ©
Specialty Museum
India Seashell Museum
4.3
Duration: 3 hours
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse ©
Lighthouse
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
3.5
Duration: 3 hours
Jewel Mount.
Gift & Specialty Shop
Jewel Mount.
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Apollo Books ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Apollo Books
4.9
Duration: 3 hours

Historic Sites in Mahabalipuram

Tiger Cave ©
Ruin
Tiger Cave
4.1
Duration: 3 hours
Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple
Religious Site
Sri Sthala Sayanaperumal Temple
4.0
Duration: 3 hours
Karukathamman Temple ©
Religious Site
Karukathamman Temple
4.3
Duration: 3 hours
Mukunda Nayanar Temple ©
Religious Site
Mukunda Nayanar Temple
3.7
Duration: 3 hours

Museums in Mahabalipuram

Maritime Heritage Museum ©
History Museum
Maritime Heritage Museum
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Lighthouse Heritage Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Lighthouse Heritage Museum
4.3
Duration: 3 hours
Little Art Gallery
Art Gallery
Little Art Gallery
3.8
Duration: 3 hours
Sculpture Museum ©
Art Museum
Sculpture Museum
3.4
Duration: 3 hours

Nearby attractions in Mahabalipuram

Arjuna's Penance
Landmark
Arjuna's Penance
4.8
Duration: 30 minutes
Krishna's Butter Ball ©
Landmark
Krishna's Butter Ball
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes
Varaha Cave Temple ©
Religious Site
Varaha Cave Temple
4.6
Duration: 30 minutes
Krishna Mandapam ©
Ruin
Krishna Mandapam
4.4
Duration: 30 minutes

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Pancha Rathas by other users

12 days in Tamil Nadu BY A USER FROM INDIA Ooty (Udhagamandalam) Kanyakumari Madurai 7 days in Tamil Nadu BY A USER FROM INDIA Mahabalipuram Auroville Thanjavur 7 days in Pondicherry BY A USER FROM INDIA Matrimandir Sadhana Forest Pancha Rathas 12 days in Pondicherry & Coimbatore BY A USER FROM INDIA Pondicherry Coimbatore 4 days in Pondicherry BY A USER FROM INDIA Pancha Rathas The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology Serenity Beach 8 days in Tamil Nadu BY A USER FROM INDIA Mahabalipuram Auroville Thanjavur