Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, the Golden City of a thousand temples, and one of the seven sacred cities of India, is 71 km from Madras. It was, successively, the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. During the 6th and 7th centuries, some of the best temples in the city were built by the Pallavas.

The city was also a great seat of learning. Sri Sankaracharya, Appar, Siruthonder and the great Budddhist Bhikku lived, and worked here. Today, it is known not only for its temples, but also for its handwoven silk fabrics.

Given its illustrious past, it is not surprising that Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry.

The silk weavers of Kanchi settled more than 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in the country. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the sarees in dazzling colours are embellished with fine gold thread (zari) and are available in every imaginable design and variety, which can make the job of selection quite challenging.

Temple festivals are held throughout the year and apart from the temple car (ratha) festivals which are held in January, April and May, there are other days when the idols in the temples are taken out in procession on their respective vahanas or vehicles.

Kanchipuram Temples

Temples in kanchipuram are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of the Kanchipuram District and are repositories of the magnificient art forms that evolved over several centuries.

 

 

Sri Ekambareswara Temple :

 The most famous Siva temple at Kanchi is the Ekambareswara temple. The dimensions of this temple are reflected in its 20 - acre spread and its tall south gopuram which soars to a height of 58.5m.

Sri Kailasanathar Temple :

 Kailasnathar temple is built by Rajasimha of the pallava dynasty during 'the first quarter of the eighth century. The temple is built of red sandstone and has innumerable carvings of Pallava art, of which the Urdhva Tandava dance of Siva and the laughing face of Parvati are worth seeing. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.

Sri Vardaraja Perumal Temple :

 The centre of attraction in Vishnu Kanchi is the temple of varadarajaswamy situated on the top of Hastigiri or Elephant Hill.The Vijayanagar kings constructed this temple. The whole temple covers an area of about 23 acres. The sculptural beauty of the pillars is amazing. Ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four Corners of the mandapam in the form of a chain are a delightful spectacle.

Sri Kamakshiamman Temple :

Kanchi is sacred as one of the three Sakti peethas of India. Kamakshi is said to be the Supergoddess, Parasakti, having Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati as her eyes. She blesses all that dedicate themselves to her. The sanctum sanctorum faces southeast in the centre of Gayatri Mandapam. The tradition says that there was a delightful grove of Champaka trees around the main temple now known as Gayatri Mandaparn.

Sri Ulagalandar Temple :

 This vaishnava Temple was bulit in chola period .The main deity of this temple is 35 feet high and 24 feet wide posing with one foot on earth and the other on the sky. This form is called Trivikrama.This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu.

Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple :

This temple is built by The Pallava ruler, Nandivarman in the seventh century AD.Sri Vaikunda Perumal temple is famous for its architecture. The Lord is in the sitting posture. The Goddess is known as Sri Vaikunthavalli Tayar. It has great sculptures and inscription which speak of its history and the history of the city itself. Its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars.

Sri Kacchapaeswarar Temple :

 Kacchapa Eswarar temple was built by pallava Dynasty.In this temple, siva appears as being worshipped by vishnu in the form of turtle (kurmemerali)."Kacchapam" is a Sanskrit word for "Turtle".hence the name "Kacchapa Eswarar Temple" .

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple :

 This temple of Vijayaraghava Perumal is one of the 108 Divyadesams where Lord Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu, the giant bird which valiantly fought to prevent Ravana from abducting Sita, the wife of Lord Rama to Lanka.

Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram :

 Kanchipuram is an important landmark in the history of the Jains. Many of the Pallava kings belonged to Jainism.The temples of the Jaina Tirthankaras were built in the Ninth Century A.D. The temples contain several fresco paintings and a grand image of Bhagwan Mahaveer.

Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple :

 Subramaniya swami temple was built around 1915. For Hindus on a pilgrimage trip, this temple is a mandatory place to visit. It gains its significance due to its location. The way this temple is located in the city is a rare phenomenon mentioned in Hindu scriptures. It is called the "Soma Skandha" Posture.

Kanchipuram Excursions

Tiruparuthi Kundram (5 kms)

This is a suburb of Kanchi on the southern bank of the Vegavathi river. It was a centre of Jainism.

Thiruthani (42 kms)

Thiruthani is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hilltop, the temple is accessible by a flight of 365 steps and also by a ghat road. The steps represent the days of a year. Thiruthani is said to be the place where the Lord Muruga married Valli, one of his two consorts. The Karthigai festival which falls in December is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. This small town is also the birth place of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, philosopher-statesman and former President of India.

Vedanthangal (48 kms)

It is one of the major water birds sanctuaries in India. Storks, Egrets, Comorants, Darter are some of the birds which arrive here during season. Along the lake bund there is a 24' high observation tower commanding the panoramic view of the sanctuary. Season: October-March. Forest Rest House is also available.

Uthiramerur (28 kms)

An ancient Siva temple built according to silpa sastras that contains inscriptions about village administration in those days is situated here. There is also an ancient Vaishnavite temple which is massive in structure. It is multi-storyed with Astanga vimana.

Sriperumpudhur (29 kms)

It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the father of Vaishnava Philosophy and hence an important pilgrim centre for the Vaishnavites. A memorial for Sri Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, is situated here. Tourist accommodation is available.

Vandalur (35 kms)

The new sprawling 1,265-acre Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, the biggest in South India, has, among other species, a superb collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles. The animals are in vast natural enclosures enabling them to move freely.
 

How to Reach Kanchipuram

By Air: The airport nearest to Kanchipuram is Chennai from where international and domestic flights operate.

By Rail: Kanchipuram is connected by rail to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati and Bangalore.

By Road: Kanchipuram is well connected by roads to Chennai and other important cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. For local transport cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are available.