Pancha Rathas
Pancha Rathas
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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sunilt1960
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates2,011 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The Five Rathas are located a short distance south of Mahabalipuram's Hill Area, nestled among the landscape. These magnificent structures are monolithic, meaning they were hewn from solid rock, resembling chariots – the very rathas for which they are named. Crafted during the reign of Narasimha Varman in the 7th century, they are among the earliest examples of their kind in India. Each of the five monoliths symbolizes a ratha, representing the five Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata.
The temples are believed to have been sculpted from a massive hillock of stone, and as you move from south to north, the structures gradually diminish in size. The southernmost temple is the grandest, while the others, following the natural slope of the rock, become progressively smaller. The original hill must have been expansive, sloping northward, and the temples were carved to align with this natural contour.
The roofs of these early structures are often considered the first attempts at designing the vimanas—temple towers that are a defining feature of South Indian temples. To appreciate the artistry of these monuments, one must look beyond the rock's surface. What may seem like simple stone reveals intricate images and hidden marvels.
Before you depart, take a final moment to admire the distant view of the rathas, the elephant, the lion, and Nandi, for a glimpse of the grandeur of these timeless masterpieces.
The temples are believed to have been sculpted from a massive hillock of stone, and as you move from south to north, the structures gradually diminish in size. The southernmost temple is the grandest, while the others, following the natural slope of the rock, become progressively smaller. The original hill must have been expansive, sloping northward, and the temples were carved to align with this natural contour.
The roofs of these early structures are often considered the first attempts at designing the vimanas—temple towers that are a defining feature of South Indian temples. To appreciate the artistry of these monuments, one must look beyond the rock's surface. What may seem like simple stone reveals intricate images and hidden marvels.
Before you depart, take a final moment to admire the distant view of the rathas, the elephant, the lion, and Nandi, for a glimpse of the grandeur of these timeless masterpieces.
Written 24 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Im_GPS
Bengaluru, India692 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Unique place with semi-finished stone temples without deities; named after Pancha Pandavas (5-pandavas) and hence the name Five-Rathas. All Rathas, are carved out of naturally laid out rocks facing in different directions. This place is mysterious and appears to be made out of sheer creativity for fun.
Written 3 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monte-Christo
37 contributions
Mar 2025 • Solo
Pancha Rathas is like stepping into an ancient sculptor’s dream! Carved from a single massive rock in the 7th century, these five monolithic temples—named after the Pandavas from the Mahabharata—are a masterpiece of Pallava architecture. What’s crazy? They were never actually used as temples! They were more like architectural experiments, showcasing different styles and structures in one place.
Each ratha (chariot) is unique: Dharmaraja Ratha is the tallest, Arjuna Ratha is beautifully detailed, and Draupadi Ratha, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is the cutest and most compact. The life-sized elephant and lion sculptures nearby? Absolute show-stealers!
Fun fact: These temples were hidden under sand for centuries until the British unearthed them in the 19th century. Imagine stumbling upon this treasure after centuries of being buried!
Each ratha (chariot) is unique: Dharmaraja Ratha is the tallest, Arjuna Ratha is beautifully detailed, and Draupadi Ratha, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is the cutest and most compact. The life-sized elephant and lion sculptures nearby? Absolute show-stealers!
Fun fact: These temples were hidden under sand for centuries until the British unearthed them in the 19th century. Imagine stumbling upon this treasure after centuries of being buried!
Written 5 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devendra G
India1,074 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
Panch rathas temple is one of the last points in the mahabalipuram temple trail. It is a series of five temples. The esepciality being that it is built on a single monolithic rock. The five temple are named after the pandava brothers. In another story, the five temple are dedictaed to hindu trinity. The temple has abeautiful architecture and is a must visit.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KeKu
Pune, India404 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
Panch Rathas are the next important monument in Mahabalipuram after the Shore Temple. There are 5 monolithic rock carvings and hence named after the Pandavas and Draupadi. All are elaborate and fantastic carvings. These are not temples as such but extremely good from archeology perspective.
This place is around 1.5km from the Shore Temple. One can go walking or get an auto.
This place is around 1.5km from the Shore Temple. One can go walking or get an auto.
Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lenakau
Lippstadt, Germany268 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We took a day trip to Mamallapuram from Chennai. We took the public buses on our own. We took the A1 bus (bus number 1 also works) from the Central Metro Station to the Thiruvanmiyur bus station. From there, bus number 588CT runs every 10 minutes. It took us 2 hours. The cost was only 150 rupees per person per trip. Save the money for a driver and support the local traders and restaurants there.
In Mamallapuram we also visited the 5 Rathas. They are beautiful and, in contrast to the coastal temple, you can still see a lot of the decorations.
In Mamallapuram we also visited the 5 Rathas. They are beautiful and, in contrast to the coastal temple, you can still see a lot of the decorations.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaithiliSave
Mumbai, India226 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
It’s worth visiting this place. It is one of the monuments in Mahabalipuram. Avoid public holidays. It was too crowded when we visited on local festival public holiday. We couldn’t take proper pictures. Do hire a guide to know the history and significance of it. There are government authorized guides available. It will take around 30 mins to see this place. Entry fee is just Rs40 which is for all monuments nearby.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAURABH-ALLAHABAD
Prayagraj, India70 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Pancha Rathas (also known as Five Rathas or Pandava Rathas or Ainthinai kovil) is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas complex resembles a chariot (ratha), and each is carved over a single, long stone. Nice place!!! Still Lot to know about our History..
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siddhartha
Kolkata (Calcutta), India1,293 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Pancha Rathas or Five Rathas most attractive place in Mahabalipuram. This place is very well maintained. All the statues and the fives rathas are sculpted from a single large piece of rock. The way Pallava artists made these marvelous put off the rocks present at the location will surely amaze us. This place is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Entry fees of this place ₹40 for Indian and ₹ 600 for foreigner. You can also buy ticket online. This ticket is validity to enter all monuments on same day. This place is open for 6 AM to 6 PM.
Entry fees of this place ₹40 for Indian and ₹ 600 for foreigner. You can also buy ticket online. This ticket is validity to enter all monuments on same day. This place is open for 6 AM to 6 PM.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Honisoiquimalypense
Derby, UK1,298 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This site consists of 5 separate massive carvings each out of a single block of granite. They are truly amazing. Each structure is different, reflecting the temple designs of the time. It is now thought that they were not active temples. Definitely worth a visit - go early to avoid the crowds.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is pre-wedding shoot allowed in pancha rathaaaa ...and in shore temple
Written 23 September 2024
Any dress or clothing restrictions?
Written 20 October 2017
hi, whata re the opening hours you mentioned 11 or 12 i hope its pm please clarify will be of great help.
Written 18 September 2017
it will be opened from 10.00 hours to 18.00 hours
Written 19 September 2017
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