Kanchipuram Tourism Information
Kanchipuram one of the India’s sacred cities is about 75km Southwest of Chennai. Once the proud capital of Pallavas, latter a citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslims and the British. Kanchi is today a prosperous district an area that blends grat antiquity with impressive modernity. It has been a centre of Tamil learning and culture for centuries. Adi Sankaracharya established his Episcopal seat Kamakotipeetam here.
Kanchipuram was a meeting place of different cultures. In the realm of architecture, kanchipuram occupies a unique position, abounding in magnificent temples of exquisite architectural beauty, which bear testimony to the glorious Drividan heritage. These temples, built during different periods, provide an excellent opportunity for those who seek to study the temple architecture in southern part of India.
Kanchipuram Temple Information
The Vaikunta Perumal Temple
This is one of the important Vishnu temples built in the 7th century AD. This temple is an example Dravidian architecture.
The Kailasanathar Temple
The Kailasanathar Temple is built by Rajasimha and his son Mahendra III in the eight century AD. This temple is noted for sculptures and architecture.
The Ekampareswarar Temple
The Ekampareswarar Temple is one of the ancient temples in Kanchipuram. It has been renovated by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar Kings. The 57 metre high Rajagopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India. Here Siva is worshipped in the form of one of the elements (Earth).
The Devarajaswamy Temple
The Devarajaswamy Temple is also known as Varadarajar temple is a massive and impressive edifice. The shrine of Devarajaswamy is on an elephant shaped rock called Hastagiri.
The Kamakshi Amman temple
The Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India. The tower two are found in Madurai and Varanasi. The temple in the present form was built by Cholas during 14th century AD.
The Sakiswarar Temple
This was built by the Cholas, who continued the Pallava tradition and even enriched it.
Handloom Industry
Kanchipuram’s exquisite silk sarees woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours have an enviable reputation for lustre, durability and finish which is second to none in the country.
Anna Memorial
The house of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has been converted into a memorial.