Photo 1 / 6The Shore Temple's twin towers. Photo: SivaprakashThirumalairaj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shore Temple
About the Temple
The Shore Temple stands beside the Bay of Bengal at Mamallapuram. Built in the Pallava period, its stone shrines honour Shiva and Vishnu and form part of the UNESCO-listed monument group. Plan it as an ASI heritage visit, with time to look at the architecture and its coastal setting.
Why visit
- See an early structural stone temple of the Pallava period.
- Explore part of Mamallapuram's UNESCO World Heritage monument group.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Official source, checked 18 Oct 2026 · Source
ASI publishes these visiting hours. Confirm last admission, evening access and any conservation closures with ASI.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
45 minutes to 1 hour inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Wear comfortable clothing for an outdoor monument visit. A specific current dress requirement was not verified; follow notices at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Phones
A current Shore Temple phone notice was not verified. Ask ASI staff about phone use and photography restrictions when you enter.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Special entrance
Official temple tariff. Buy only at the temple counter or the official website.
- Indian visitors, ASI online ticket ₹35 · Official
- SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors, counter rate ₹40 · Official
- Other foreign visitors, ASI online ticket ₹550 · Official
- Other foreign visitors, counter rate ₹600 · Official
Official source, checked 22 Oct 2026 · Source
- Access
The current step-free route and wheelchair arrangements were not verified. Ask ASI staff about accessible paths before entering.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Highlights
- Three shrines on one platform
Rajasimha (700–728) built two Shiva shrines facing east and west, with a flat-roofed hall for a reclining Vishnu between them.
- Nandi-lined walls
The enclosure walls carry rows of Nandi figures along with yalis and boars.
- Lion monolith with Durga
A partly carved lion inside the enclosure has a small Durga Mahishasuramardini on its back.
- Excavated finds
Digs around the temple exposed a monolithic Bhuvaraha, a reclining Vishnu, a Durga shrine base and a stepped ghat facing the sea.
Sources: asi.nic.in, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Shore Temple
- By air: Chennai International Airport (MAA) · about 55 km
- By train: Chengalpattu Junction (CGL) · about 23 km
- By road: Chennai is about 60 km away by road. Taxis and buses run to Mamallapuram from Chennai airport and from the Chengalpattu and Chennai railway stations.
Sources: tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in, chengalpattu.nic.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Krishna's ButterballA huge granite boulder balanced on a slope.0.7 km away
- Olakkannesvara TempleA Pallava hilltop shrine once used as a lighthouse, beside the modern lighthouse.0.7 km away
- Pancha RathasFive monolithic chariot-shaped shrines named after the Pandavas and Draupadi.1.3 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Mahabalipuram Shore Temple?
Wear comfortable clothing for an outdoor monument visit. A specific current dress requirement was not verified; follow notices at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Mahabalipuram Shore Temple?
A current Shore Temple phone notice was not verified. Ask ASI staff about phone use and photography restrictions when you enter.
Is the Shore Temple a heritage monument?
Yes. It forms part of the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram and is visited through ASI monument admission.
Which deities are represented at the Shore Temple?
The complex includes shrines associated with Shiva and Vishnu.
Where should I buy Shore Temple entry tickets?
Use the Official Mamallapuram booking page or ASI counter. Online entry is ₹35 for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors and ₹550 for other foreign visitors. ASI publishes ₹40 for SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors and ₹600 for other foreign visitors outside the online tariff. Children below 15 enter free. A current Indian counter price was not verified.
What visiting hours does ASI publish?
ASI lists 06:00 to 18:00, matching government tourism. Its group-wide booking slot extends to 20:30, but Shore Temple evening access was not independently confirmed. Check last admission and closures before travelling.