Mamallapuram

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Mamallapuram is a little seaside village 58km south of Chennai. We were hoping to get some sun and enjoy the beach for a few days, but this turned out to be easier said than done. Locals and Indian pilgrims are always fully clothed on the beach even when swimming and we didn't see any other tourists soaking up the sun. We were advised to go to a posh hotel nearby to use their beach and swimming pool. We went only to be told that their premises are for hotel guests only, despite the fact that there appeared to be no guests... So we gave up on the sunbathing. Besides, there were lots of other things to do, such as shopping in the many crafts and jewelery shops, lots of interesting stone monuments, the Shore Temple (apparently the oldest temple and one of the most photographed monuments in India) and the Crocodile Bank. We spent a few days here and then moved on southwards...

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Photos

The 5 Rathas
Apparently this shows the attempt by the British to replicate the stone work...