You Should Visit this Incredible Place in Tamil Nadu, India (Mahabalipuram) 🇮🇳

Leaving Chennai, I stop at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, on my way to Pondicherry. I explore its incredible temples from the Pallava Dynasty. This UNESCO listed site is one of South India's gems.
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I'm Jason, a full-time British Travel Vlogger and KZbinr who's been to 61 countries. I've been travelling around the world full-time since 2017.
I have travel series' from many of the world's best (and least) known destinations. I filmed the first vlogs on my channel in the summer of 2016 after spending a year living in China. A proper solo trip around Eastern Europe followed after graduating from University in the summer of 2017, taking me to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo. This marked the start of my efforts to turn vlogging into a full-time job.
After that European trip I explored much of Asia: visiting India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea and Kazakhstan.
I have also travelled to North Africa and the Middle East fairly extensively over the last five years, filming videos in Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.
I've travelled to North America just once as a KZbinr, visiting Mexico in 2021. Though I have been to both the USA and Canada, this was as a child on family holidays.
In 2022, I took my first trip to Sub Saharan Africa, visiting Kenya and Tanzania, before heading to the Middle East, stopping in Dubai and Lebanon. Europe followed, covering both the Greek and Turkish sides of Cyprus, and afterwards going back to Italy for the second time to cover Milan and Sicily. I then visited the Caribbean for the first time, covering the Dominican Republic, before heading to both Brussels and Amsterdam, then covering Taiwan and the Philippines in Asia. I finished off the year with a trip around Morocco.
I started my travels in 2023 by finally visiting Paris, taking the Eurostar from London. I then headed over to Qatar for a few days, before heading to the south of India.
#tamilnadu #india #mahabalipuram

[@spaghettistef]

Absolutely amazing! I came back from India literally 3 days ago and loved every second I spent there. Jai Hind!

[@head_honcho192]

which place u visited?

[@spaghettistef]

@@head_honcho192 I went to the north and visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Amritsar! Absolutely amazing!

[@head_honcho192]

@@spaghettistef hm never thought someone would like Delhi its literally junk, next if u visit India again Goa Mumbai and South Indian states should be in your bucket list best of luck!

[@iceman4020]

@@head_honcho192 Maybe he likes the people and history associated with it. People can have different perspectives, best of luck with widening the horizon of yours!

[@kirtigupta9753]

Jai Hind! Mother India is waiting for you to return.

[@peterhadley1654]

If you return to Tamil Nadu there are other amazing temple towns to visit. Thanjavur and Maduraiwill not disappoint! Amazing how developed Mamallapuram has become since I was there in 1983.

[@mexicanmomo]

1983 ? Even I was not born, There was hardly any television then in India .

[@extratrillestrial3949]

Madurai is an incredible place. Meemakshi temple is a must see

[@rathy_v]

Tanjai lord Siva temple marvel of every sector.The greatest king RajaRaja cholan monumental temple

[@booklover555]

I went there a few weeks ago. I absolutely loved it there…beach, temples, the warm and friendly people, so much!!

[@casual_GamerHQ]

That's the real India... If any non Indian person is watching this.... I know you only heard about Taj Mahal... But there are many more wonders in this beautiful country....

[@presidentxijinpingspoxdoct9756]

I'm heading back for my sixth visit, next year. So much history, culture and strange sights. Never been to the Taj Mahal, but I have been to its smaller version in Maharashtra.

[@casual_GamerHQ]

@@presidentxijinpingspoxdoct9756 please visit kailasa temple and many southern temples you will be amazed

[@casual_GamerHQ]

@juniper7905 bas smjh aayi bsdk jyada south north kiya na toh Tera converted bamboo tere hi gaa7d mai daalega mai smjha... bsdk converted south aur north ke beech jhgda karwane aajate ho bc hindu ek hi rhenge chahe north ke ho ya south.... South mai murugan hai toh whi murugan north mai kartikey bhi hai.... dono roop ek saman hai... ye converted waali soch apne tk rkh

[@Prithvi2577-c1r]

@juniper7905Habibi come to magadh 💀

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

That was really impressive. I thought I'd been to Mahabalipuram but I didn't recognize any of that. I guess I just passed through on a bus or maybe stopped briefly in the town center. Somewhere to visit another time. Your guesthouse in Pondicherry looked really nice.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

For sure, it definitely surpassed my expectations. The guesthouse in Pondicherry was a great find - my favourite stay from this India trip.

[@higherbeingX]

Been there twice. It's a magical place. There are many temples that are submerged now due to sea level rise in the last 1000 years. when the 2004 Tsunami happened water receded for a few minutes and some of those submerged temples were seen far from the ocean in today's seashore.

[@elnovato1741]

The carvings are mind blowing..

[@guruvittal]

And the carvings are in granite, hard igneous rock, not like sand stone found in some places

[@amitroy8872]

You are one of them who is really visiting the real india🇮🇳. Jai hind🇮🇳

[@unyk13]

I love your choice of background music in this series

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Good to know!

[@sumit2302]

Tamilnadu saviour of indian culture , tradition and sanatam 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@sumit2302]

@juniper7905 wtf there are two civilizations were grown in india in northern side vedic in southern side sangam

[@sumit2302]

@juniper7905 then why you hate sanskrit 😂😂😂😂 because every text of vedic was written in sanskrit ,pali asthawdhi

[@sumit2302]

@juniper7905 then what is the meaning of arya 😂😂😂😂 the irony is that for so called dravidians shankracharya is aryan but jesus is dravidian 😂😂😂

[@sumit2302]

@juniper7905 just like christian and islam destroying punjab culture still they support them same in tamilnadu ,north east and west bengal

[@mexicanmomo]

This is real Indian culture and architecture . Most of are destroyed by invaders from Middle-east and Central Asia . But places like Mahabalipuram, Tanjavur (in Tamilnadu) , Konark, Puri (in odisha) , hampi (in Karnataka) , Madhya pradesh have kept it .

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Beautiful, Jason. The temples and their imagery reminded me of the temples of Cambodia. I love the carved images of the Apsara. Clearly these were influential in their way. Love learning about this area of India. I also have never heard of these places in this area. Clearly you love it there. Thank you for taking us with you. 🙏

[@sridhar.v4855]

The Cambodian temples are built by same Indian king from Tamil Nadu, he ruled over 12 countries in south east Asia!

[@indianatureandheritage7183]

South indian kingdoms heavly influenced south east asia (ASEAN )..

[@seethaperi]

surya varman 2 tamil king built angorwat temple in cambodiyaa

[@mikeaaron8506]

mahabalipuram port under pallavas is the point of origin of thai,khymer lipi,south east asian culture,architecture,and way of life

[@srinivasanranganathan3468]

The Cambodia temple was built by the same Tamil kings who ruled Cambodia for some time!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍.

[@jacobsanders9167]

I was there in the 70s and there was only that temple and it was on the shore and we used to sit on the sea wall and watch the sunrise passing the cough cough around, It was free in those days and the sunset was behind all the other temples, That place was empty during the week ahh so many memories.

[@sachinpuri108]

Come to see Ellora and Ajanta caves it's mind-blowing❤

[@BraminWarrior]

​@juniper7905...Tamil out of India? Your stalin asking to eradicate Sanatan?

[@my_heaven_is_green]

Thank you Jason for vlogging my hometown and its cultural richness and heritage sites.

[@pkjlr77]

What amazing sculptures, thanks for sharing Jason. Brilliant as always, I find your videos very relaxing and love your relaxed style and choice of music as well 👍

[@sreekanthv9285]

Amazed by the knowledge you have gained about the Hindu religion the trinity and some wonderful pictures,truly the gods waiting to bless you for these pic.thank you.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Thank you!

[@ttgautam21]

I like how he says at 15:52 Mahabharata and Hindu history in same sentence.. truth always prevail.. history may stories over glorified or simplified but still it is history with some elements of truth..

[@cem611]

15:37 Mahabharata is a book about ancient Indian history of over 5000 years ago. it has got over 100000 characters of all sorts and all kinds of human emotions. it is the greatest book ever. I am surprised to know you have read the great Bhagavad Gita which most of the Indians have not.

[@Jesusinindia_.]

Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita is completely myth...

[@chandramoulidharmana]

​@@Jesusinindia_. only dead body hanging over a wooden cross is the Truth 😂

[@manh9105]

@@Jesusinindia_. lol! so told by a ricebag filled with hate for India and Hindus

[@munmunsarkar1726]

​@@Jesusinindia_. do u mean your bible is only true which says that God created earth in 7 days, the first human is Adam. But hinduism says about evolution and slow process how universe form. Your bible is says those who don't believe in jesus are infedels but bhagavad gita says that all humans are equal on our earth.

[@skull99crusher16]

​@@Jesusinindia_. you worship false God

[@JauneMacReady]

What an amazing place full of so much history. Great video. Thanks for making this 🙂❤️👍

[@Grow2teach]

You have to visit madurai meenakshi temple, thanjavur temple too.

[@susanparker5765]

Really enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing Pondicherry again! Thank you!

[@Shaheen-VO]

You're a great guide Jason, love that you're reading books related to the country you're visiting! Keep it going mate!!

[@binflynn1]

I’ve really enjoyed you being in India it looks a wonderful place I’ve always wanted to visit unfortunately I won’t be able to now but thank you for letting me see what I am missing , keep up the good work 👍🙏

[@user-yt9yw6uf4m]

Don't forget to visit Ooty in TN, Munnar, Aleppy backwaters and Fort Kochi attractions and Lulu Mall in Kerala ❤

[@Kalki0025]

Explore these historical places in India 1.Phugtal Monastery 2.Ajanta and Ellora Caves 3.Khajuraho temples 4.Mahabodhi Temple 5.Key Monastery 6.Tawang Monastery 7.Badami Caves 8.Konark Sun Temple 9.Bhimbetka Rock Shelters 10.Thikse Monastery 11.Rani Ki Vav 12.Nalanda University 13.Basgo Monastery 14.Unakoti 15.Barabar Caves 16.Kedarnath Temple 17.Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya 18.Karnala Fort

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Great list. Thanks!

[@renethedutchcreator]

Wonderful video, amazing to watch, you are one the best travel vloggers that I know

[@barbarasueantle]

I am so happy to have found your channel...what a treasure! Insightful, kind, respectful and super interesting always!

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@kkris5900]

Excellent video on tour of Mahabalipuram, very detail and informative.

[@richardwinter9045]

Visited all those places in 2019, fabulous area.

[@minimalistmonk1410]

Beautiful video and how you narrate and the music is awesome, transports you to a different era or a different planet altogether if that would be possible. Thank you.

[@pavithireyan926]

One of the best vanniyar temple...⚔️🙏🔥

[@bjb123ch]

Love your videos, very informative. Here is some good reading:Freedom at Midnight (Dominique Lapierrre, Larry Colliins)Partitions (Amit Majmudar)The Great Indian Novel(Tharoor Shashi)The Lives of Others(Neel Mukherjee)A Fine Balance(Rohinton Mistry)Maximum City:Bombal Lost and Found(Mehta Suketu)

[@krishnakumargopal]

Added a like... 👍 I guess you need to spend more time at these UNESCO sites as each and every sculpture is unique... Hope you make a detailed vlog soon... Enjoy your trip!!

[@indianskeptic3451]

Thank you so much for this video and appreciating our ancient history and architecture

[@jaik9321]

thanks for the details on shore temple - enjoy your stay...

[@princessbeaula3589]

Love how you take us around .... Hope you are feeling better with your health...🤔

[@eddie_d1233]

I read both those books. Siddhartha a long time ago, but it was very widely read at the time and I read A Passage to India about five years ago. It was quite a well written novel and an Englishman's view of the country, both fascinating and complex at the same time.. Forster is a great writer.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

I thought A Passage to India was well written but I’m not sure if really enjoyed it - it’s quite uncomfortable but from a historical point of view it’s an interesting glimpse into the hearts and minds of the time from a British perspective.

[@petermathews1515]

@@JasonBillamTravel If you want to understand how India is where it is today, read the three travelogues of India written by V.S.Naipaul -- (1) "An Area of Darkness" : His first WTF after his visit in the 50's. (2) "A Wounded Civilization" : His deeeper understanding of India as he re-visits in the 60's and (3) "A million mutinies now" : He revisits again in the 80's even as India goes through multiple "mutinies" as it struggles to come to terms with its past.

[@elnovato1741]

Just love the background music. I visited this place. Its absolutely beautiful. love your channel.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Glad to hear it, cheers.

[@krishkrish08]

You are one of the best travel vloggers that i know period.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Appreciate that

[@danielvalenzuela9764]

Great video Jason the sculptures and coverage with content are excellent. I like that you showed books you are reading we can then also read those too.Thank u. And peace

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Will continue to do more of that in the future.

[@Jpkjr52]

Interesting Thanks again John John in Chicago

[@HOG1070]

i had been to Mahabalipuram few times, its just amazing what people of those times can do with just few basic tools, which we can't do with all the laser cutting machine, cnc machine and what not. And the workmanship is absolutely amazing.

[@dhirajpokharna]

Our India is very rich in civilization.... Very diverse country but the coman DNA is Same..... We welcome our guest. ( Athithi deo bhav) geust is like God...... Welcome india brother.

[@csunil9963]

Good coverage of the architecture and sights at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram).

[@kashcorner7259]

Loved Mahabalipuram & your incredible journey, thank you ❤❤❤

[@TMizTravels]

Amazing to watch!

[@blacksymbole3721]

I suggest you to check kailasha temple 😊

[@patriciafuchs5970]

As usual, I watch and learn, thank you.

[@yellowNred]

Hi Jason! I bet you’ll love the sculptures and temples in Somanathpur, Belur and Halebidu. Do not miss. Take care. 🇮🇳👍

[@sunny-mo1zy]

shrimadbhagwat Geeta is indeed a great book to read other book I suggest are the 4 vedas- Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda.

[@guruvittal]

Yet another wonderful video by Mr Jason. Please show glimpses of your breakfast, lunch and dinner apart from your staying place

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Noted!

[@strombreaker3446]

Thank you for what your doing ❤ 🇮🇳

[@TheSwede70]

Amazing Jason! I went in early 1996. So nice to see this again.

[@BobI-jb4rk]

Great to see you feeling better since your last video.

[@SK-xw4gu]

Hi Jason: Excellent video of Mahabalipuram. by the way, it is "Arjuna's penance" not "presence". If you want to read novels by Indian writers, you can read R.K. Narayanan (his style has been compared to that of Graham Greene), Shashi Tharoor, Kushwant Singh, Jhumpa Lahiri etc etc. - all good writers.

[@yeahbabe2697]

The Great Ancient Tamils ✨

[@baidurya]

Read R K Narayan, especially Malgudi Days, Waiting for Mahatma, and Man-eater of Malgudi. He was Tamil, so these will go well with your journey.

[@torvalderiksson7921]

Following you from Finland. Have A Nice trip.

[@TravelingEddie]

Amazing place! Simply Amazing! Must visit this ancient Hindu site. Thanks Jason 🙏🏻🇮🇳

[@KumarSanket11]

Brilliant video mate just a couple of things to share, its called Arjuna's *Penance* and I soo wish someone could have described you the story behind Arjuna's Penance/Descent of Ganges to amplify the marvel of that sculpture Good luck for the rest of your trip and more power to you :)

[@adityashukla2317]

dude the soundtracks you are using are awesome.

[@ramsathe]

Awesome video. Great keep it up

[@shivakkumarpalanisamy500]

Great work. Visit the following excellent places which also UNESCO recommended. 1. Thanjavur Big Temple 2. Tharasuram great sculptures. 3. 2000 year old rock dam near Tiruchy.

[@Tbpker22]

You have given us, Jason, an overlook into a part of India that is rarely seen - most interesting!

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Glad to hear that!

[@prasannavenkateshrpras5367]

If u want to try hill stations in tamilnadu- here some of them ooty,Kodaikanal,Valparai,coonoor Yercaud, meghamalai etc....nice vlog❤️

[@jennyhirschowitz1999]

You are a remarkable young man. Consider finding a copy of Manil Suri’s “The Death of Vishnu” …. Engaging and tender novel set in a block of apartments in Bombay. I treasure my signed first edition….. the evocative sepia cover in an Indian train is beautiful. In addition, once you have read A Passage to India you may pursue with David Medalie’s “E.M. Forster’s Modernism” …… David and I were childhood friends in a remote part of South Africa during the worst years of Apartheid. I’m traveling soon …… NY via London (7 hour layover) to Cape Town for a family wedding, then local train to Johannesburg to meet up with David after a fifty year hiatus, then to Kerala (Chennai International Airport) and on to Puducherry by local bus ……. will be staying at Coloniale as a quiet writing base for a while. A ‘Thank you’ seems trite when you’ve provided me with so much enjoyment. Miss Jenny

[@rajeshchakravarthi9]

The illustrious Pallavas had trade relationships up to the Southeast Asian countries. The SEA kings had used the script that was created by the Pallavas to inscribe Sanskrit, which is popularly known as Pallava Grantha. Pallavas were the forerunners of Dravidian arts and architectures. Try to visit the marvellous temples in Kanchipuram - the beautiful capital city of Pallava kings.

[@sachibanerjee7748]

Love this video can't wait to visit that place

[@saravanank1494]

There are many amazing places in Tamil Nadu. Next time you can explore those

[@niralprajapati9331]

Do u have plan to visit Gujarat there are several famous templates in Gujarat and u always find rush at those places. Note some template names : Dwarika temple , somnath temple , Ambaji temple, Mahakali mata temple ( pavaghadh). Also u can do food vlog too especially vegetarian dishes.

[@user-tm2fy5mi1i]

Well my friend, also all Should visit so many incredible places in TamilNadu. Example Thanjavur Periya Kovil Gangai Kinda Chola Puram KEEZHADI Archeological Museum Kallanai - world First Anaicut . Etc etc

[@sachinmahajan425]

Imagine being there at the time of its ancient glorious days.. 🙏

[@abhifootball2671]

Its really refreshing to see you explore ancient temples but as a fellow learner of Indian history, i would encourage you to read basic books about Indian philosophy like Upanishads or 6 philosophy like Nyaya, Charvaka, Vaisheshika as these structures and ambience are not just for their physical Marvel but once you understand the meaning, it will be goosebumps everytime you see a structure and interpret the meaning behind it. Hope to see more Indian videos.

[@SheshankReddyS]

William Dalrymple's White Mughals and Manu S Pillai's Rebel Sultans are great non-fiction books about the Deccan in India. Very well written and gripping.

[@josejoseph8725]

Nice vlog, visit Thanjavur big temple too, it is an unesco heritage site.

[@VELS436]

TAMILNADU state is famous for its unique hindu temples & culture .

[@usernotfound40412]

For reading recommendation, would recommend Tirukkural (Tamil work) and Raghuvamsam (Sanskrit work). Both have English translations.

[@parkash9999]

That's wonderful.

[@gopalakrishnamattaparthi8557]

Thank you for visiting India

[@sathishc9950]

I would like to recommend you to visit the thanjai periya kovil, you would like it.

[@metarus208]

awesome Mahabalipuram!

[@humanbeing3337]

Appreciate your willingness to explore the budget forms of stay and transportation. The taxi though, looks much more sterile and pleasant, well worth the cost.

[@rajbonshivikram3300]

Beautiful tample

[@italogiardina8183]

It's a great place to take up stone sculpture for a week or even month as there are many workshops that for a fee will supply tools, stone and technical know how.

[@Naan_Oru_Vinnan]

There are also many places in Tamil Nadu. You could visit Thanjai periya Kovil ( known as Brahadheeswar Temple in other parts of India), you can feel something positive and powerful passing all over through you once you enter the temple. I wish to go there too one day, it will really be great.

[@pmajudge]

SUPER GREAT !! THANKS ! FROM, U.K. (2023).

[@clamel4325]

In Mahabalipuram i remeber an amazing temple in the beach in front the sea

[@True5558]

A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Three Generations of the Pallava Kings. ... Most of the Monuments are Monolithic. . Five Chariots Dedicated to the Pandavas. ... The Shore Temple - Oldest Stone Temples in South India. ... Known for its Carvings & Bass Relief.

[@JACOBKODIYATT]

Good videos. Showing places more than anyone instead of showing themselves.

[@jimmyhay47]

A Passage to India is a great book, that shows the colonial attitudes of the British Raj. Very revealing.

[@frog1287]

You missed badami, belur, haleibedu in karnataka state only visited hampi sad😢😂

[@takuan650]

Hermann Hesse's 'Siddhartha' very much impressed me as a young person who was travelling the world to find some 'Truth'.

[@mylahbarreto5265]

Nice home stay accommodation

[@lokeshkumarengineer8830]

Thank you again

[@Reddylion]

Chennai👍

[@vinothkumar1552]

Om nama shivaya 🙏🇮🇳🙏🇮🇳🙏🇮🇳

[@hewolivia9642]

😆wow I will plan to visit South India one day 🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@valipokkann]

13:21 you missed the ancient light house.

[@shakeel4552]

which camera do you use in this video?