This really is an excellent sight to see. A huge thirty metre long and about fifteen metre tall rock carving representing Arjuna's Penance. The detail is superb and your eyes are drawn to the two huge elephants which seem to be the focus. It's easy to find this place and is free of charge. There are also many other delights... More

Good to see olden time rock carving skills. Place was very exciting to see though the heat was too hot to handle. Get a local guide who can explain about these monuments in detail for a better experience.

Anjunas Penance is a symbol of the most creative artsmen who lived during this period. Arjuna's Penance is an absolutely spectacular, monumental rock sculpture, unique in my experience. Beautifully carved, I would have loved to revisit several more times, as I know I missed some of the detail in just one viewing.

Arjuna's Penance is an absolutely spectacular, monumental rock sculpture, unique in my experience. Beautifully carved, I would have loved to revisit several more times, as I know I missed some of the detail in just one viewing. My favorite "attraction" in Mahabalipuram.

Just awe inspiring and very beautiful. I retunred to mahaballipuram a few weeks later to see it (and some of the other sites - Tiger Cave and the 5 Rathas in particular) again.

Dislikes, too many traders plying their wears, but the monkeys tend to outnumber them. Love the Fabulous carvings if elephants so intricate, well worth a visit and its FREE.

This was carved in an era which was not even iron age - which means the whole thing was carved by rock itself. Stunning !

As the name itself clarifies that this is the place where Arjuna did his penance. The view from this place is awesome. There is another tower which is visible from this place you can also visit that when you visit Arjuna's Penance

A fantastic Bass relief. Great detail and complex design. Every part of the carving reflects work by master craftsmen What is amazing is that it just sits there on a busy road, freef or all to see. In most parts of the world this would be a major attraction with a high entry fee