Kanchipuram is one of India's holiest sites, also known as the city of thousand temples. The sacred seat of the Shankaracharya, Kanchipuram is situated about 70 Kms from Chennai, on the Northern East coast of Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a municipality and headquarters to Kancheepuram district. In ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi. Kanchipuram was the capital city of the early Chola kings in the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries.
Besides its temples, Kanchipuram is also known for its growing hand loom industry. This beautiful small city has many silk weavers residing here from more than 400 years ago. This has made it the best the producer of some of the finest silk sarees in the country. The Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry silk. Available in a variety of designs, these sarees have blazing colours and are decorated with fine gold thread (zari).
¤ Tourist Attractions of Kanchipuram
* Kailasanatha Temple
It is one of the oldest temples and was built in the 8th century by Rajasimha and his son .Mahendra This Pallava temple was constructed in the 8th century and has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. We will find numerous small shrines located around the main shrine. The fresco-style paintings embellish the inner walls of the shrines and it is constructed using sandstone. The murals which once graced the alcoves are evident reminders of how wonderful the temple must have been when it was built initially. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.
* Kamakshi Amman Temple
This temple is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ones among the various temples of south India and is dedicated to the presiding deity of Kanchi, Goddess Kamakshi. You will find an exquisite golden “gopuram” in the centre of this temple.
* Devarajaswami Temple
Built by the Vijayanagar rulers, this temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and features elaborately sculpted pillared halls. The prime highlight of the temple is a massive chain carved out of a single piece of stone. There is also a statue of Vishnu submerged in a large water tank within the temple.
* Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
This temple is a must watch on your south India temple tour; built in the 7th century by the Pallava king Nandhivarman Pallavamalla it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a number of inscriptions depicting the battles between the Pallavas and Chalukyas. Inside the temple the presiding deity (Lord Vishnu) is shown in the sitting, standing and reclining postures. It has great sculptures and inscriptions and its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars.
* Vedantangal Birds Sanctuary
It is located 60 kms from Kanchipuram. This small birds sanctuary has come up around a village tank which is surrounded by a grove of trees. It is a heaven for migratory birds such as sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails among others. There is also a sizeable population of resident breeding waterbirds. The period between October-February is the best time to visit Vedantangal.
* Tiruttani
Tiruttani, located 42 Kms from Kanchipuram, lying to the west of Chennai, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hill top, the temple is accessible by road as well as by train. 365 steps lead to the hill which represent the days of the year. Tiruttani is said to be the place where the Lord married Valli - one of his two consorts. The Karthigai festival which falls in December is celebrated with great pomp here and it is one of the most crowded periods of the year. This small town is also the birth place of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a philosopher - statesman and former President of India.
* Anna Memorial
Kanchipuram is the birth place of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar statesman, affectionately called Anna - The Elder Brother - by the general public. His ancestral house located here has been converted into a memorial.
* Ekambareswarar Temple
The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful sculptures is one of the tallest temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard is revered by childless couples. They faithfully strung small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also in the temple, is a small panel depicting the story behind the temple's existence. Parvathi incurred Siva's wrath when she made the mistake of playing a mischievous prank on him by covering his eyes for a second. Since even that one second of hindering Siva's vision led to years of darkness for the mortals, Siva bade her to perform penance to obtain forgiveness. The temple is said to have been built at the spot where the lord forgave her.
* Vaikunta Perumal Temple
This Vaishnvite temple dates back to the 8th century and was built by Nandivarma Pallava. Battle scenes depicting Pallava valour are carved on the panels surrounding the main prakaram.
* Varadaraja Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings and the presiding deity is Devarajaswamy. The 100-pillared hall of this temple proves the mastery of the sculptors of Vijayanagara in fine artists. Among the best pieces are the severed halves of a large chain carved out of a single stone and the figures of the God of Love and his consort astride a swan and a parrot respectively.
* Kacchapaeswarar Temple
In this temple, Lord Vishnu is shown worshipping Lord Siva in the form of turtle (kurmemerali).
* Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
One of the 108 Divya desams, it is said to be the site where Lord Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu, the giant bird who sacrifices his life for him.
* Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram
The 9th century temples of the Jain Tirthankaras contain several fresco paintings and a grand image of Bhagwan Mahaveer.
* Ulagalandar Temple
This Vaishnava Temple of Chola period, it features the idol of the main deity as 35 feet high and 24 feet wide, called Trivikrama. This temple is said to be one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu.
* Subramaniya Swami Temple:
Built around in 1915, this temple gained its significance due to its location for Hindus on pilgrimage. According to the Hindu scriptures, this temple is located in the city in the rare 'Soma Skandha' Posture.
* Handloom Industry
Kanchipuram's exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for texture, lustre, durability and finish. More than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry and their spectacular creations are marketed by a number of co-operative socities, located all over the state. The Tamil Nadu Handloom House offers attractive rebates.
* Yelagiri Hills
Located very near to Chennai, this serves as an ideal location for organizing one day or two days Trekking.An isolated, attractive picnic spot in the Eastern Ghats is the Elagiri Hills, at an elevation of about 1000 metres. A salubrious climate, scenic surroundings and a quaint Murugan temple are some of the attractions of this place.
* Sriperumpudur
It is 29kms from Chennai on the way to Kanchipuram. It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the Father of Visishtadvaida philosophy of Vaishnavism and hence an important pilgirim centre for the Vaishnavites.
Besides its temples, Kanchipuram is also known for its growing hand loom industry. This beautiful small city has many silk weavers residing here from more than 400 years ago. This has made it the best the producer of some of the finest silk sarees in the country. The Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry silk. Available in a variety of designs, these sarees have blazing colours and are decorated with fine gold thread (zari).
¤ Tourist Attractions of Kanchipuram
* Kailasanatha Temple
It is one of the oldest temples and was built in the 8th century by Rajasimha and his son .Mahendra This Pallava temple was constructed in the 8th century and has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. We will find numerous small shrines located around the main shrine. The fresco-style paintings embellish the inner walls of the shrines and it is constructed using sandstone. The murals which once graced the alcoves are evident reminders of how wonderful the temple must have been when it was built initially. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.
* Kamakshi Amman Temple
This temple is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ones among the various temples of south India and is dedicated to the presiding deity of Kanchi, Goddess Kamakshi. You will find an exquisite golden “gopuram” in the centre of this temple.
* Devarajaswami Temple
Built by the Vijayanagar rulers, this temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and features elaborately sculpted pillared halls. The prime highlight of the temple is a massive chain carved out of a single piece of stone. There is also a statue of Vishnu submerged in a large water tank within the temple.
* Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
This temple is a must watch on your south India temple tour; built in the 7th century by the Pallava king Nandhivarman Pallavamalla it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a number of inscriptions depicting the battles between the Pallavas and Chalukyas. Inside the temple the presiding deity (Lord Vishnu) is shown in the sitting, standing and reclining postures. It has great sculptures and inscriptions and its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars.
* Vedantangal Birds Sanctuary
It is located 60 kms from Kanchipuram. This small birds sanctuary has come up around a village tank which is surrounded by a grove of trees. It is a heaven for migratory birds such as sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails among others. There is also a sizeable population of resident breeding waterbirds. The period between October-February is the best time to visit Vedantangal.
* Tiruttani
Tiruttani, located 42 Kms from Kanchipuram, lying to the west of Chennai, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hill top, the temple is accessible by road as well as by train. 365 steps lead to the hill which represent the days of the year. Tiruttani is said to be the place where the Lord married Valli - one of his two consorts. The Karthigai festival which falls in December is celebrated with great pomp here and it is one of the most crowded periods of the year. This small town is also the birth place of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a philosopher - statesman and former President of India.
* Anna Memorial
Kanchipuram is the birth place of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar statesman, affectionately called Anna - The Elder Brother - by the general public. His ancestral house located here has been converted into a memorial.
* Ekambareswarar Temple
The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful sculptures is one of the tallest temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard is revered by childless couples. They faithfully strung small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also in the temple, is a small panel depicting the story behind the temple's existence. Parvathi incurred Siva's wrath when she made the mistake of playing a mischievous prank on him by covering his eyes for a second. Since even that one second of hindering Siva's vision led to years of darkness for the mortals, Siva bade her to perform penance to obtain forgiveness. The temple is said to have been built at the spot where the lord forgave her.
* Vaikunta Perumal Temple
This Vaishnvite temple dates back to the 8th century and was built by Nandivarma Pallava. Battle scenes depicting Pallava valour are carved on the panels surrounding the main prakaram.
* Varadaraja Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings and the presiding deity is Devarajaswamy. The 100-pillared hall of this temple proves the mastery of the sculptors of Vijayanagara in fine artists. Among the best pieces are the severed halves of a large chain carved out of a single stone and the figures of the God of Love and his consort astride a swan and a parrot respectively.
* Kacchapaeswarar Temple
In this temple, Lord Vishnu is shown worshipping Lord Siva in the form of turtle (kurmemerali).
* Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
One of the 108 Divya desams, it is said to be the site where Lord Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu, the giant bird who sacrifices his life for him.
* Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram
The 9th century temples of the Jain Tirthankaras contain several fresco paintings and a grand image of Bhagwan Mahaveer.
* Ulagalandar Temple
This Vaishnava Temple of Chola period, it features the idol of the main deity as 35 feet high and 24 feet wide, called Trivikrama. This temple is said to be one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu.
* Subramaniya Swami Temple:
Built around in 1915, this temple gained its significance due to its location for Hindus on pilgrimage. According to the Hindu scriptures, this temple is located in the city in the rare 'Soma Skandha' Posture.
* Handloom Industry
Kanchipuram's exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for texture, lustre, durability and finish. More than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry and their spectacular creations are marketed by a number of co-operative socities, located all over the state. The Tamil Nadu Handloom House offers attractive rebates.
* Yelagiri Hills
Located very near to Chennai, this serves as an ideal location for organizing one day or two days Trekking.An isolated, attractive picnic spot in the Eastern Ghats is the Elagiri Hills, at an elevation of about 1000 metres. A salubrious climate, scenic surroundings and a quaint Murugan temple are some of the attractions of this place.
* Sriperumpudur
It is 29kms from Chennai on the way to Kanchipuram. It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the Father of Visishtadvaida philosophy of Vaishnavism and hence an important pilgirim centre for the Vaishnavites.
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