The first time I went here, it was called Mamallaparam. This was 2003 and when I got there, I refused to pay the 5 USD to see the two temples there. They looked small and unimpressive to me so I just hung out and visited all the carved rock that was free to see. This time, I thought I'd pay and have a look. Curiously, the day we visited, was UNESCO Something Day, and so the temples were free. After looking at them, though, I can say they are not terribly impressive. small, badly faded. The Pallava temple in Kanchipuram is, to my mind, much better, and is completely free and there are no busloads of tourists wandering around it ruining your photos.