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Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is one of India's holiest sites, also known as the city of thousand temples. The sacred seat of the Shankaracharya, Kanchipuram is situated about 70 km from Chennai, on the Northern East coast of Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a municipality and headquarters to Kancheepuram district. In ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi.

Ancient Repository

The history of Kanchipuram is intricately woven with the glorious reign of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. Kanchipuram was the capital city of the early Chola kings in the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries. The kings of Vijayanagar dynasty ruled Kanchipuram from 14th to 17th centuries.

Tourist attractions

City of Thousand Temples

Kanchipuram is one among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. The city has some of the most grand and majestic temples to sweep you off your feet, with their striking architectural marvel. These temples are not only sacred sites, but also a study of the architectural evolution within South Indian style of temple architecture. These temples reflect architectural experimentations, restructuring and refinement that underwent under different dynasties that ruled the city.

Temples of Kanchipuram

As one of the seven holiest cities of India, Kanchipuram housed thousand temples of which only 200 are extant. These temples are the epitome of flourishing Pallava art and architecture with the embellishments from the Chola, the Vijayanagara and Chalukyas kings. Some of the most important temples are as follows:

Ekambaranathar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ekambaranathar Temple was built by the Pallavas and later reconstructed by the Chola and Vijayanagar kings. This temple makes excellent trip to Kanchipuram. Sprawling over 11 stories and one of the tallest temple towers in South India, it has some of the most awe-inspiring sculptures, and features a thousand pillared mandapan (hall).

Vaikuntha Perumal Temple

Dating back to the 8th century, Vaikuntha temple was built by Nandivarma Pallava and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There are scenes from battle carved on the panels encircling the main parikrama of this Vaishnavite temple. These scenes depict the bravery of Pallava kings.

Varadaraja Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped as Devarajaswamy here. This temple has a 100-pillared hall, built by the Vijayanagar kings presenting the skillfulness of their artists.

Kailasanath Temple

The Pallava kings constructed the Kailasanathar Temple in the 8th century AD. It has a captivating panel portraying Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the midst of one of their many dance competitions. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.

Kamakshi Amman Temple

Dedicated to goddess Parvati in her incarnation as Kamakshi, the goddess of Love, this is one of the three holy places of Shakti worship in India. The other two are in Madurai and Varanasi. The Cholas built the temple in its present form, during the 14th century AD.

Kailasanath Temple

Kailasanath Temple KanchipuramKanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), Kanchipuram is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries. These temples are the perfect study of the evolutionary changes that the South Indian architecture underwent while different reigns made their impressions on them.

Among the oldest temples in the temple city of Kanchipuram is Kailasanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. King Rajasimha, of the Pallava dynasty, built this Shiva temple in the early 8th century. An epitome of an early structural temple, Kailasanath Temple reflects the rapidly emerging South Indian style: gopuras, pilastered walls, a pyramidal shikhara, and a perimeter wall enclosing the complex.

Constructed mostly of limestone, the walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines. It has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions.

It is the only temple at Kanchipuram, which is devoid of any of the recent additions of the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers. It is believed that the temple also served as the king's shelter during wars and the remains of an escape tunnel in the temple's precincts attests to that fact.

On the auspicious day of Maha-Sivaraathri, thousands of ardent devotees converge to the temple. The temple is far removed from the city and thus quite peaceful. Under the maintenance of the Department of Archeology, Government of India, tourists are allowed to freely photograph the sculptures in and outside the temple, with the exception of the Sanctum and the main Deity.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal, the oldest bird sanctuary in India is one place, which can't easily fade off from one's memories. The sanctuary is an amazing place to be in, especially during the Sunset, as you can spot thousands of birds returning to their nests and dotting trees. You can spot several species of birds of which most are migratory. The trees are dotted with numerous nests, which contain little chicks and eggs. For over two hundred years the villagers around have zealously protected the birds in this sanctuary. It is interesting to note that the villagers protect the birds with the same zeal, which their forefathers had shown. They avoid any noisy activity near the bird sanctuary.

At the time of Sun set the whole sanctuary is abuzz with activities and noise of birds. Birds can be seen bringing in foods for their chicks, which in turn insert their tiny beaks into the mouths of their parents to find food. If the bird watcher in you becomes over excited then there are forest officials and boards to satiate your bird related knowledge. Some of the birds that visit the bird sanctuary every year are Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egrets, Darter, Open-billed Stork, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Grebes, Night Herons and Grey Pelican. In all, around 115 species of birds have been recorded at the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary.

How to Reach Vedanthangal Sanctuary

Air The nearest airport is Chennai, which is 58 km away.

Rail The nearest railhead is Chengalpattu, which is 30 km away.

Road Regular bus services are available from Chennai, Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

Flourishing Silk Art

Located on the picturesque Palar River, Kanchipuram is more than a pilgrimage destination; the city has a flourishing handloom industry. Kanchipuram is home to some of the most skilled silk weavers that are producing uniquely exotic and vibrantly colorful Kanchipuram silk sarees. Some of these silk weavers are here from more than 400 years ago. Their flawless skill has made it the best the producer of some of the finest silk sarees in the country.

The Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry silk. Available in a variety of designs, these sarees have vibrant colors and are decorated with fine gold thread (zari). As a cherished possession in the wardrobe of every well-off South Indian woman, the Kanjivaram saris woven at Kanchipuram, are also prized in North India. Such is the popularity of Kanchipuram silk that the city hosts the world famous Silk Tourism Festival in the month of October, each year.