By Mamallapuram In Tamil Nadu Is India’s First Green Destination. Credit: Canva
A former port city during the Pallava kingdom, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is today famous for its UNESCO-listed group of temples, the most popular of which is the Shore Temple, carved out of rock and granite along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. Though the city is a mecca for pilgrims and history buffs, it has added another feather to its illustrious cap – a ‘green destination certificate’. It has become India’s first-ever ‘Green Destination’ and the Asia Pacific region’s first World Heritage Site to receive this prestigious sustainability certification.
The Green Destinations program, based in the Netherlands and accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), recognises destinations committed to sustainable practices across environmental, social, and cultural aspects.
Mamallapuram’s journey to becoming a Green Destination involved a year-long engagement phase. This included data collection, documentation, and a rigorous assessment process. The destination scored an impressive 65% on the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) destination score, demonstrating its commitment to various sustainability goals.
The final award level for Mamallapuram will be announced after an audit in the coming months. However, this initial achievement is a testament to the tireless efforts of various stakeholders, including the MAMAT Trust under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, which fully financed the certification project.
What To See In Mamallapuram
While a green certification certainly puts Mamallapuram on India’s map of sustainable destinations, it boasts incredible culture and heritage evident in structures that can be explored around the town: allure extends far beyond its Green Destination status.
Mamallapuram’s Shore Temple, a UNESCO wonder, is a must-see when in this city. Built by a Pallava king, it’s one of South India’s oldest temples and was carved from granite in Dravidian style of architecture with its pyramidal tower. Once buried in sand, the temple is believed to be part of seven lost “Pagodas” mentioned by Marco Polo.
Another must-see destination is ‘Descent of the Ganges’, a giant rock carving 29 metres high, which depicts the mythical descent of the Ganges River. Carved during the Pallava dynasty, this giant open-air rock relief showcases their artistic brilliance. Every year, against this relief, a stage is set for the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival organised by the Tamil Nadu tourism department.
