ABOUT KANCHIPURAM (KANCHI):

• The ‘Golden city of Thousand Temple’, set on the banks of the Palar River is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities of India.
• It was under the control of the Cholas as far banks as the 2^nd century B.C. and a Pallava capital between the 6^th and 8^th centuries.
• Kanchi was a major centre of learning, culture and philosophy.
• It is also a world renowned silk centre.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Chennai International Airport, Chennai (MAA), 60 kms away from Kanchipuram city.
• Rail: Kanchipuram Railway Station, Kanchipuram, 2 kms away from Kanchipuram city centre.
• Road: Well connected by road.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

FORT & MONUMENTS	Anna Memorial   Vellore   Vellore Fort
HOLY CENTRE	Kailasanathar Temple   Ekambarnathar Temple   Varadarajaswami Temple   Kamakshi Amman Temple   Vaikunta Perumal Temple   Jaina Kanchi or Tiruparuttikunram   Jalakanteshwar Temple
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Karuda Seva Chariot Festival Brahmachavam Tourism Festival

For more information visit https://kancheepuram.nic.in/tourism/

 

 

ATTRACTIONS OF KANCHIPURAM (KANCHI)

 

Kailasanathar Temple:

• It is one of the earliest and most exquisite temples of Kanchipuram.
• Temple was built in the 7^th century by the Pallavas King Rayasimha.
• Its sculptures, carved reliefs and the overall design and elegance are closer in style to the monolithic rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.
• The main sanctum enshrines a unique 16 sides Shivalingam is black granite stone.

 

Ekambarnathar Temple:

• Temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva covers an area of about 20 acres and is one of the largest temples of the town.
• It was originally built by the Pallavas in 7^th century and remodelled extensively by the Cholas and Rayas.
• 58.5 metres high gopuram and a massive outer stone wall were built in 1609, by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Empire.
• Temple has five corridors and a 1000 pillared hall.
• Huge ‘Prithvi (Earth) Lingam’ inside the main sanctum is one of the Pancha (Five) Lingams of South India.
• There are also 108 lingams carved out of a single stone.
• An ancient mango tree here believed to be over 3500 years old has four branches representing the four Vedas and bear fruits with four different tastes.

 

Varadarajaswami Temple:

• Large temple complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu was built in 10^th century by the Vijayanagar Kings.
• It has a massive outer wall and a beautifully sculpted Kalyanamandapam, called as ‘thousand pillared hall’.
• The exquisitely carved pillars depict various incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

 

Kamakshi Amman Temple:

• Sacred shrine of goddess Kamakshi (Parvati) is said to be originally built before 7^th century and was later re-built by the Cholas in 14^th century.
• It is set in the heart of the town and is one of India’s three holiest places of Shakti worship.
• Temple complex also has a shrine dedicated to Shankracharya, who founded the Kamakoti Peetam (monastery) and built a golden gopuram here.

 

Vaikunta Perumal Temple:

• 7^th century shrine of Lord Vishnu was built by the Pallava King, Nadivarman II.
• Its towering Vimana with images of Lord Vishnu in standing, sitting and reclining postures is noteworthy.

 

Jaina Kanchi or Tiruparuttikunram:

• Sacred site on the outskirts of the town has a conglomeration of several fine shrines reflecting the rich religious legacy of Kanchipuram.
• Beautiful painted Varddhman Temple and a smaller temple dedicated to Chandraprabha are noteworthy.

 

Anna Memorial:

• It is the birth place of C.N. Annadurai, an eminent scholar and statesman.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND KANCHIPURAM (KANCHI)

 

Vellore:

• 64 kms away from Kanchipuram city.
• The ‘Fort City’ of Tamil Nadu nestles amidst the Eastern Ghats and is well known for its Fort and Jalakanteshwara temple.
• There is also a church built in an old British cemetery.
• Historic city is now better known for its Christian Medical College, started by Dr. Ida Scuddar, a medical missionary.
• It is rated among the best medical institutions of the country.

 

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Vellore Fort:

• 16^th century granite fort built by Sinna Bommi Nayak, a Vassal chieftain under the Vijayanagar Kings.
• It is an excellent example of military architecture and has withstood several attacks.
• A small museum within the fort showcases objects of historic value, recovered from the region.

 

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Jalakanteshwar Temple:

• Shiva temple within the ramparts of the fort is built in the late Vijayanagar style.
• The temple is noted for its seven storeyed gopuram and the Kalyanamantapa.