Rapid Travel Chai

Mahabalipuram (a.k.a. Mamallapuram, further a.k.a Mal) is a treasure coast of UNESCO sites accompanied by mellow hippie beach hangout.

Tonight The Rapid Traveler was inspired by Sara Mathew, CEO of Dun & Bradstreet, in her call to ‘Dare to Lead,’ in a conversation sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI). CASI claims to the first, and still only, academic research center in the US for the study of contemporary India, which is a sad indicator of the low global engagement by US higher education.

The Rapid Travel Chai #2 tip for India is to use the government-run prepay taxis from the airports. It is #2 because the #1 tip is to not leave the airport before booking, because once out you cannot reenter to get the prepay taxis and are then at the mercy of swarming touts.

Hippies still asleep at noon

Shore Temple

Shore Temple

A half-day layover at Chennai (MAA) is just enough for the 1-2 hour dash (if avoiding rush hours) down the coast to Mal, a 7th-century port city of the Pallava Dynasty. Book the prepay taxi for the roundtrip and waiting time. Those with more time and on a tighter budget can take bus 108B.

Entering town, first is the hippie beach, then the Shore Temple, and on to the main cluster of sites, collectively the UNESCO site Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (WHT 360-degree photos).

The Five Rathas (rock-cut Dravidian temples)

Ajurna's Penance, relief carving of scenes from Hindu myth

Krishna's Butter Ball, great spot for fun photos

Lighthouse over Mahabalipuram

For those with time, the area can easily occupy a few days.

And on the road back from Chennai, don’t forget to stop for the comic crocs, more on that tomorrow!

Nap time at the Madras Crocodile Bank