Kancheepuram City of Thousand Temples

Kancheepuram district is situated on the Northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu and is adjacent by Bay of Bengal and Chennai city. It is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai district, in the north by Thiruvallur district and Chennai district, in the south by Villuppuram district and in the east by Bay of Bengal. Kancheepuram is easily accessible from the state capital Chennai. Kancheepuram is 75 kms from Chennai and is well connected by a good network of roads. There are frequent bus services from Kanchi to Chennai, Bangalore and other places. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, just a 2 hours drive away. Kancheepuram can be reached from Chennai central railway station and Arakkonam railway station.

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India

Kancheepuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas during the 7th to 9th centuries. Kancheepuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India. It later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, the Muslims and the British. During Pallava times, it was briefly occupied by the Chalukyans of Badami and by the Rastrakutas when the battle fortunes of the Pallava kings reached low ebb. Many of the temples of Kancheepuram have beautiful sculptural works of Pallavas and later by Cholas. The remains of a few Buddhist stupas seen here bear the testimony that Buddhism also prevailed here for a while. One of the Acharya Peetas of Sri Adi Sankaracharya - The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is situated here. It has been a centre for Tamil learning and Culture for centuries and gives us a clear picture of the glorious Dravidian Heritage of the Vaishnavites and Shaivites.

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India

Kancheepuram is known as city of thousand temples. The main temples are as follows.

1. Kailasanathar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Siva, Kailasanatha is one of the earliest temples built by Rajasimha and his son Mahendra in the 8th century A.D. There are 58 small shrines situated round the main shrine. Fresco-style paintings adorn the inner walls of the shrines. Sandstone was used in the construction of this temple. It is the only temple at Kancheepuram which is not cluttered with the more recent additions of the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers. Fragments of the eighth century murals which once graced the alcoves are a visible reminder of how magnificent the temple must have looked when it was first built.

2. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India

Built in the 14th century by the Cholas, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi - the presiding deity of Kanchi. Here, the goddess is worshipped in the form of a Chakra placed in front of the idol. An image of Sankaracharya is also worshipped. Sri Sankaracharya is said to have defeated Buddhist philosophers in a debate here. It is one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India. The other two being Madurai and Varanasi.

3. Varadarajar Temple

Varadarajar temple is a massive and impressive edifice. This is another Vishnu temple on Hastagiri rock at the end of the town. The Hundred-Pillar-hall erected during the Vijayanagar period in this temple is noted for its exquisite sculptures. The ornamental rings carved out of a single stone in a chain at the four corners are the special features of the hall. The riders on horseback, beautiful figures of Rathi and Manmatha and exquisite temple jewellery are other notable features. This temple provides a glimpse of a 16th century pillared pavilion with an exuberant workmanship.

4. Vaikunta Perumal Temple

This is one of the important Vishnu temples built by the Pallava king Nandhivarman Pallavamalla in the 7th Century A.D. This temple was built a few years after the construction of Kailasanathar temple. Numerous inscriptions are found in this temple relating to the wars between Pallavas and Chalukyas. Besides these inscriptions, the battle scenes of the Pallavas with Gangas and Chalukyas are depicted in bas-relief around the main Prakaram (corridor).

Apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Kancheepuram is also known as Silk City, since the main profession of the people living in and around is weaving silk sarees. 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. Kancheepuram is popular for its renowned crafted world famous silk sarees, a traditional home industry

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