Kanchipuram
Area : 11.6 sq. kms
Main Languages : Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalam
Population : 1,69,813
Location : Kanchipuram is a town located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town is the headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is situated at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai and 66 kms from Mahabalipuram.
Climate : Kanchipuram has a tropical climate, with a uniform temperature round the year. During the summer months of April and June, temperature varies between 37°C and 21°C. Winters are slightly colder and temperature remains between 28°C and 19°C. The town receives maximum rains during July and September.
Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit Kanchipuram is from October to March.
Main Languages : Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalam
Population : 1,69,813
Location : Kanchipuram is a town located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town is the headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is situated at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai and 66 kms from Mahabalipuram.
Climate : Kanchipuram has a tropical climate, with a uniform temperature round the year. During the summer months of April and June, temperature varies between 37°C and 21°C. Winters are slightly colder and temperature remains between 28°C and 19°C. The town receives maximum rains during July and September.
Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit Kanchipuram is from October to March.
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Kanchipuram -The City Of Thousand Temples
Kanchipuram or Kanchi is one of the most spectacular temple cities of India. The domineering gopurams of the temples can be seen from several kilometres away. Once known as Siva Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram is amongst the seven most sacred pilgrim centres of the Hindus. Kanchipuram was the capital of Pallavas between the 6th and 8th century A.D. The Pallavas were succeeded by the Cholas and the Vijaynagar rulers. The Pallavas, Cholas and Vijaynagar rulers built many temples at Kanchipuram, the legacy of these dynasties can be seen in these magnificent temples. There are 126 temples in Kanchi and few more on its outskirts. Notable among them are Ekambaranatha Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kumara Kottam etc. Apart from its temples, Kanchipuram is popular for its handwoven silk sarees. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the silk sarees are known for their texture, luster, durability and finish. Kanchipuram is also known for temple festivals which are held throughout the year. During the festivals, the idols in the temples are taken out in procession on their respective vehicles.
Major Attractions
Kailasanatha
Temple : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kailasanatha Temple is one of the
earliest temples in Kanchipuram. The honey-coloured sandstone temple was
built by the Pallava king Rayasimha in the late 7th century. There are 54
small shrines around this temple.
Vaikuntaperumal Temple : Built by Parameshwara and Nandi Varman II in between 674-800 A.D, this temple is dedicated to Vishnu. The elegant lion pillars edge the temple courtyard, representing the first phase of the evolution of the grand pillared halls of the later temples.
Ekambareshwara Temple : One of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, this temple is dedicated to Shiva. The temple has 59 metres high gopuram and massive outer stone walls which were constructed by Krishna Devaraja of the Vijayanagar Empire in 1509. Inside the temple there are five separate enclosure and thousand-pillared hall which houses the numerous artefacts.
Kamakshi Amman Temple : This imposing temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvati, the chief deity of Kanchipuram. There is a separate sanctum for Adi Sankara, but there is no separate sanctum for Siva here. The Kamakshi Amman Temple is the site of annual car festival which falls usually in February/March.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple : Built during the Vijayanagar period, this is another big temple in the town. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. this temple is known for its massive outer walls and a hundred-pillared hall. One of the most notable sculptural features of this temple is a huge chain carved out of a single piece of stone.
Excursions
Tiruparuthi Kundram : Tiruparuthi Kundram is just 5 kms away from Kanchipuram. It is a suburb of Kanchipuram and it was a center of Jainism.
Uthiramerur : Located at a distance of 28 kms, this place houses an ancient Shiva Temple. The temple was built according to Silpa Satras, which contains inscriptions about village administration. An ancient Vaishnavite temple also stands here.
Sriperumpudhur : Situated 29 kms away from Kanchipuram, Sriperumpudhar is an important pilgrimage centre for the Viashnavites. A memorial of Rajiv Gandhi also stands here.
Vandalur : 35 kms away from Kanchipuram, this place is known for housing Anna Zoological Park. The park sprawling over 1,265 acre is home to tropical mammals, birds and reptiles.
Thiruthani : Thiruthani lies at a distance of 42 kms from Kanchipuram. This small town is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple situated on a hilltop is accessible by road and train. The Karthigai Festival which takes place in the month of December is a popular event of the town.
Vedanthangal : Situated at a distance of 48 kms from Kanchipuram, Vedanthangal is one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in India. This sanctuary is visited by more than 1,00,000 migratory birds every year. Some of the most popular are herons, darters, spoonbills, pelicans, sandpipers, white ibis, blue winged teals and swans.
How To Reach
By Air : Kanchipuram does not have its own airport, nearest airport is Chennai Airport, which is located at a distance of 75 kms. Airlines operate flights to major destinations in India and abroad from Chennai.
By Rail : Kanchipuram railway station is connected by trains to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, Bangalore etc.
By Road : Kanchipuram is well connected by roads with Chennai. Regular buses run to and from Kanchipuram to cities like Chennai, Mysore and Bangalore.
Kanchipuram or Kanchi is one of the most spectacular temple cities of India. The domineering gopurams of the temples can be seen from several kilometres away. Once known as Siva Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram is amongst the seven most sacred pilgrim centres of the Hindus. Kanchipuram was the capital of Pallavas between the 6th and 8th century A.D. The Pallavas were succeeded by the Cholas and the Vijaynagar rulers. The Pallavas, Cholas and Vijaynagar rulers built many temples at Kanchipuram, the legacy of these dynasties can be seen in these magnificent temples. There are 126 temples in Kanchi and few more on its outskirts. Notable among them are Ekambaranatha Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kumara Kottam etc. Apart from its temples, Kanchipuram is popular for its handwoven silk sarees. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the silk sarees are known for their texture, luster, durability and finish. Kanchipuram is also known for temple festivals which are held throughout the year. During the festivals, the idols in the temples are taken out in procession on their respective vehicles.
Major Attractions
Kailasanatha
Temple : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kailasanatha Temple is one of the
earliest temples in Kanchipuram. The honey-coloured sandstone temple was
built by the Pallava king Rayasimha in the late 7th century. There are 54
small shrines around this temple.Vaikuntaperumal Temple : Built by Parameshwara and Nandi Varman II in between 674-800 A.D, this temple is dedicated to Vishnu. The elegant lion pillars edge the temple courtyard, representing the first phase of the evolution of the grand pillared halls of the later temples.
Ekambareshwara Temple : One of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, this temple is dedicated to Shiva. The temple has 59 metres high gopuram and massive outer stone walls which were constructed by Krishna Devaraja of the Vijayanagar Empire in 1509. Inside the temple there are five separate enclosure and thousand-pillared hall which houses the numerous artefacts.
Kamakshi Amman Temple : This imposing temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvati, the chief deity of Kanchipuram. There is a separate sanctum for Adi Sankara, but there is no separate sanctum for Siva here. The Kamakshi Amman Temple is the site of annual car festival which falls usually in February/March.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple : Built during the Vijayanagar period, this is another big temple in the town. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. this temple is known for its massive outer walls and a hundred-pillared hall. One of the most notable sculptural features of this temple is a huge chain carved out of a single piece of stone.
Excursions
Tiruparuthi Kundram : Tiruparuthi Kundram is just 5 kms away from Kanchipuram. It is a suburb of Kanchipuram and it was a center of Jainism.
Uthiramerur : Located at a distance of 28 kms, this place houses an ancient Shiva Temple. The temple was built according to Silpa Satras, which contains inscriptions about village administration. An ancient Vaishnavite temple also stands here.
Sriperumpudhur : Situated 29 kms away from Kanchipuram, Sriperumpudhar is an important pilgrimage centre for the Viashnavites. A memorial of Rajiv Gandhi also stands here.
Vandalur : 35 kms away from Kanchipuram, this place is known for housing Anna Zoological Park. The park sprawling over 1,265 acre is home to tropical mammals, birds and reptiles.
Thiruthani : Thiruthani lies at a distance of 42 kms from Kanchipuram. This small town is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple situated on a hilltop is accessible by road and train. The Karthigai Festival which takes place in the month of December is a popular event of the town.
Vedanthangal : Situated at a distance of 48 kms from Kanchipuram, Vedanthangal is one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in India. This sanctuary is visited by more than 1,00,000 migratory birds every year. Some of the most popular are herons, darters, spoonbills, pelicans, sandpipers, white ibis, blue winged teals and swans.
How To Reach
By Air : Kanchipuram does not have its own airport, nearest airport is Chennai Airport, which is located at a distance of 75 kms. Airlines operate flights to major destinations in India and abroad from Chennai.
By Rail : Kanchipuram railway station is connected by trains to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, Bangalore etc.
By Road : Kanchipuram is well connected by roads with Chennai. Regular buses run to and from Kanchipuram to cities like Chennai, Mysore and Bangalore.
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