Mahabalipuram also known as 'Mamallapuram', located at a distance of 50km from Chennai on East Coast Road is one of the best weekend destination and also a must visit place in Tamilnadu. Listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, Temples & monuments in Mahabalipuram were built in 7th century and considered as one of the earliest structural temples in South India. The main attractions in Mahabalipuram are The Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, krishna Mandapam, Varaha caves and beach . Shore temple in Mahabalipuram History of Mahabalipuram: The name Mamallapuram is believed to have been given after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who took on the epithet Maha-malla (great wrestler), ...