Kanchipuram (aka Kanchi) is a rich historic city - famous for its temples and silk sarees.
Located on the banks of the Vegavathy river, Kanchipuram has been ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Carnatic kingdom, and the British - all of them adding to its rich history and culture.
Historically, Kanchipuram was a centre of education and was known as the ghatikasthanam, or "place of learning". The city was also a religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries.
Kanchipuram as one of the seven holiest town of its kind in the country. It is believed that a visit to this town bestows salvation.
The famous Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram is popularly known as Mumurtivasam (abode of trio), and are the popular temples of the city.
Shopping
Kanchipuram is the shopping hub for silk saree. You will find numerous shops with variety of saree options in all the streets of the city.
Most of the city's workforce is involved in the weaving industry; thus producing high quality of silk products which are sold across the country.
Click on "Things To Do" tab to get the complete list of Places to see in Kanchipuram. Read about the Top Things to do in Kanchipuram and get best travel tips to plan your trip to Kanchipuram sightseeing places
Check out the wide range of Kanchipuram Holiday packages with Navigers, covering top attractions of Kanchipuram and popular sightseeing tourist places of Kanchipuram
Ekambareswarar Temple / Kachi Ekambam / Ekambaranatha Temple
Entry Fees :₹ Time To Visit :
Ekambareswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be built in 2nd century; as has been featured in many Tamil poems. The temple has been reconstructed many times and its present form is the work of famous Vijayanagar King, Krishnadevaraya in the year 1509.
It is the largest temple in Kanchipuram and the temple complex sprawls over 40 acres. The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59m tall, which is one the tallest gopurams in India. The temple comprises an intricately carved 1000-pillared hall, 5 spacious corridors, massive outer stonewall.
Until recently there was a mango tree in this temple, which was about 3500 years old. The tree has perished about 2 years ago due to its age. It is believed that Goddess Kamakshi Amman, whose temple is about 1/2 km away from here, worshipped Lord Shiva under this mango tree.
Ekambareswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be built in 2nd century; as has been featured in many Tamil poems. The temple has been reconstructed many times and its present form is the work of famous Vijayanagar King, Krishnadevaraya in the year 1509.
It is the largest temple in Kanchipuram and the temple complex sprawls over 40 acres. The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59m tall, which is one the tallest gopurams in India. The temple comprises an intricately carved 1000-pillared hall, 5 spacious corridors, massive outer stonewall.
Until recently there was a mango tree in this temple, which was about 3500 years old. The tree has perished about 2 years ago due to its age. It is believed that Goddess Kamakshi Amman, whose temple is about 1/2 km away from here, worshipped Lord Shiva under this mango tree.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
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Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. Goddess Shakti is worshipped in three major cities out of which, Kanchipuram ranks first in importance - attracting lot of devotees to this temple. The main attractions of the temple are - gold plated main tower, the golden chariot, 7th century sculptures. This huge temple is constructed in around 5 acres of land. The temple houses a gallery, which presents the life history of Adisankaracharya.
The main festivals of the Kamakshi Amman temple are Brahmotsavam in February and Navaratri in November.
Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. Goddess Shakti is worshipped in three major cities out of which, Kanchipuram ranks first in importance - attracting lot of devotees to this temple. The main attractions of the temple are - gold plated main tower, the golden chariot, 7th century sculptures. This huge temple is constructed in around 5 acres of land. The temple houses a gallery, which presents the life history of Adisankaracharya.
The main festivals of the Kamakshi Amman temple are Brahmotsavam in February and Navaratri in November.
Kailasanathar Temple
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Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one amongst the oldest structures in the city. The temple has a splendid architecture and is declared as an archaeological monument by Archaeological Survey of India. Kailasanathar temple was constructed using sandstones for most of the sculptures. All the walls around and inside the temple are filled with great sculptures and delicate carvings.
Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one amongst the oldest structures in the city. The temple has a splendid architecture and is declared as an archaeological monument by Archaeological Survey of India. Kailasanathar temple was constructed using sandstones for most of the sculptures. All the walls around and inside the temple are filled with great sculptures and delicate carvings.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple / Devarajaswami Temple
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Varadharaja Perumal Temple also known as Devarajaswami Temple, is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited. It is located in a suburb of Kanchipuram known as the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for many famous Vishnu temples. The temple covers an area of 23-acre complex and is built with beautiful architecture. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams, 389 pillared halls and each one of these pillars has a beautiful carvings on it.
It has a 10-meter tall statue of Vishnu lies immersed in the large tank. The tank is drained once every 40 years and the statue can be viewed only at that time. This scrupulous temple has a marriage hall that was built in remembrance of the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. There is also an enormous chain that was engraved out of one single stone.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple also known as Devarajaswami Temple, is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited. It is located in a suburb of Kanchipuram known as the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for many famous Vishnu temples. The temple covers an area of 23-acre complex and is built with beautiful architecture. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams, 389 pillared halls and each one of these pillars has a beautiful carvings on it.
It has a 10-meter tall statue of Vishnu lies immersed in the large tank. The tank is drained once every 40 years and the statue can be viewed only at that time. This scrupulous temple has a marriage hall that was built in remembrance of the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. There is also an enormous chain that was engraved out of one single stone.
Vaikunda Perumal Temple / Vaikunta Perumal Temple / Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram
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Vaikunda Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are a number of sculptures of Lord Vishnu which are quite massive in size depicting the Lord in sitting, standing and reclining postures. One of the main attractions of this temple is the exceptional 1000-pillared hall, and each pillar has a statue carved on it. It is one among the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli.
Vaikunda Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are a number of sculptures of Lord Vishnu which are quite massive in size depicting the Lord in sitting, standing and reclining postures. One of the main attractions of this temple is the exceptional 1000-pillared hall, and each pillar has a statue carved on it. It is one among the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli.
Kachapeshwarar Temple
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Lord Vishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a kurma (tortoise) at this temple. The temple interiors as well as exteriors are very beautiful, with many sculptures and carvings.
Lord Vishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a kurma (tortoise) at this temple. The temple interiors as well as exteriors are very beautiful, with many sculptures and carvings.
Ulahalanda Perumal Temple
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Ulahalanda Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kancheepuram and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The legend says that Mahabali, a worshipper of Vishnu has started harassing the ‘Devas’, with the help of his acquired powers. Lord Vishnu then worked out a humble scheme to make things right, where he took the form of ‘Vamana’ and forced Mahabali to not harass the Devas anymore. This manifestation of Lord Vishnu is worshipped as the Ulahalanda Perumal at this temple.
Ulahalanda Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kancheepuram and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The legend says that Mahabali, a worshipper of Vishnu has started harassing the ‘Devas’, with the help of his acquired powers. Lord Vishnu then worked out a humble scheme to make things right, where he took the form of ‘Vamana’ and forced Mahabali to not harass the Devas anymore. This manifestation of Lord Vishnu is worshipped as the Ulahalanda Perumal at this temple.
Chitragupta Temple
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Apart from many Shiva temples and Vishnu temples, Kancheepuram has a unique temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupta. Chitragupta, as per Hinduism is the younger brother of Yama, the death god, who keeps track of good and bad deeds of human beings to decide their residence in heaven or hell. The panchaloha (alloy made of five elements) idol of the deity and his consort was found during an excavation process during 1911. There is also idol of the presiding deity in sitting posture holding a pen in the right hand. The left hand holds a palm leaf, both symbols of his work.
Apart from many Shiva temples and Vishnu temples, Kancheepuram has a unique temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupta. Chitragupta, as per Hinduism is the younger brother of Yama, the death god, who keeps track of good and bad deeds of human beings to decide their residence in heaven or hell. The panchaloha (alloy made of five elements) idol of the deity and his consort was found during an excavation process during 1911. There is also idol of the presiding deity in sitting posture holding a pen in the right hand. The left hand holds a palm leaf, both symbols of his work.
Kanchi Kudil
Entry Fees :₹ 20 Time To Visit :9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Kanchi Kudil is set to represents the life of the people of the Kanchipuram. The ancient culture as well as the cultural heritage of Hinduism is shown at Kanchi Kudhil. Kudil means house; and the house here is over 90 year old, architectured in typical Kanchipuram style.
Kanchi Kudil is set to represents the life of the people of the Kanchipuram. The ancient culture as well as the cultural heritage of Hinduism is shown at Kanchi Kudhil. Kudil means house; and the house here is over 90 year old, architectured in typical Kanchipuram style.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Entry Fees :₹ 25 Time To Visit :6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is located 48 kms from the city and is a home to lot of migratory birds across the world. It is spread over a sprawling 74 acres of land. The best time to visit the place would be between the months of October and March.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is located 48 kms from the city and is a home to lot of migratory birds across the world. It is spread over a sprawling 74 acres of land. The best time to visit the place would be between the months of October and March.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Chennai (75 kms).
By Train
Kanchipuram Railway Station is very well- connected with major cities on India.
By Road
Kanchipuram has good road connectivity. And has regular bus services with neighbouring cities.
Here are some major distances to note-
Mahabalipuram - 68 kms
Chennai - 74 kms
Pondicherry - 127 kms
Bangalore - 280 kms
