Holy Destinations of India

Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is known as one of India's Seven Sacred cities. Kanchipuram was, one of India's seven sacred cities. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D and later became the citadel of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries.

Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kanchipuram is the birth place of C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna" by the people of Tamil Nadu.
 

General Information :-

Area          : 11.6 sq. kms.
Population   : 1,69,813 (1991 census)
Altitude      : Sea level
Climate       : Max. Min.

Summer      : 36.6ºC 21.1ºC

Winter        : 28.7ºC 19.8ºC

Rainfall       : 87 cms. (35") Average
Season       : Throughout the year.
Clothing      : Tropical
Languages spoken : Tamil, Telugu and English.

STD Code 04112
 

Major Attractions of Kanchipuram

Vaikuntam Perumal Temple
This is one of the important Vishnu temples which was built by Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla in the 7th century A.D. Numerous inscriptions are found in this temple relating to the wars between the Pallavas and Challukyas. The presiding deity Lord Vishnu is depicted in sitting, standing and reclining postures.

Kailasanathar Temple
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. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.

Ekambareswarar
Another ancient temple of Kanchipuram, it has been renovated by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar Kings. The 57 metres (188") high Rajagopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India. The 2,501 - year old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yielding different varities of mangoes. This temple has five spacious corridors (prakrams) and a beautiful 1,000 - pillar hall.

Varadarajar 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.

Kamakshi Amman Temple
This is one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India, the others being Madurai and Varanasi. The temple in the present form was built by the Cholas during 14th centuary A.D.

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.

Enathur (5 kms )
Rustic rural setting adorn this village. Kanchi Sankara Mutt, has set up a University for Advanced learning at Enathur. Library with ancient books, palm leaf manuscripts on various subjects are housed in this University comlex. 60 feet-high statue of Adi Sankara is put up in the front of the University. Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims and scholars frequent this place regularly.

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.
 

Excursions

Tiruparuthi Kundram (5 kms)
This is a suburb of Kanch on the southern bank of the Vegavathi river. It was a centre of Jainism.

Thiruthani ( 42 kms )
Thiruthani, 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. Thiruthani 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..

Vedanthangal ( 48 kms)
Vedanthangal is one of the largest bird sancturies in India. It is a marshy, 30 hectare park with lake visited by over 1,00,000 migratory birds every year. The majority of these birds can be seen between November and February. The variety of birds include Herons, Darters, Spoonbills, Pelicans, Sandpipers, White Ibis, Cormorants,Blue winged teals and Swans.

Uthiramerur ( 28 kms. )
An ancient Siva Temple built according to silpa satras 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 also muti-storeyed with Astanga Vimana.

Sriperumpudhur (29 kms)
It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the Father of Visishtadvaida philosophy of Vaishnavism and hence an important pilgirim 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.

Photos of Kanchipuram

Accessibility / How to reach :-

Air
Nearest is Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai.

Rail
It has a railway station on the Chengalpattu - Arakkonam line. Can be reached via Chengalpattu from Chennai.

Road
Connected with all major cities by road.

Accommodation in Kanchipuram

It is difficult to find quality accommodation in Kanchipuram. Most of the lodges are situated near the city bus stand. Some guesthouses also provide basic facilities, and a clean environment to the travelers. But for a tourist visiting Kanchipuram, Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC) is a perfect place to unpack besides this there are other unclassified hotels also

Fairs and Festivals at Kanchipuram

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