Situated at a distance of 70 kms to the south of Chennai, Kanchipuram is regarded as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites by the Hindus. The temple city of Kanchipuram is also the seat of the Sankaracharya. Devotees throng the holy city all round the year from both India and abroad in spite of the sultry weather conditions for most part of the year. The city was the capital of the Pallavas, Cholas and the Vijayanagar rulers during different times in history. All of them invested lots of time, energy and fortune in building the magnificent Kanchi temples.

Accommodation and Connectivity
The Chennai airport is nearest to Kanchipuram. Chennai is some 70 kms away from Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram figures in the rail map of India. There are trains to the place from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Bangalore and Tirupati. Chennai is directly connected to Chennai by road. The city is also accessible from most other towns and cities of Tamil Nadu.

Kanchipuram has good accommodation facilities for tourists. But as the temple city remains full of visitors for most part of the year, it would be advisable to avail advance booking benefits for convenience of stay.

Tourist Attractions

The Seat of Sri Adi Sankara

Kanchipuram is most famous for being one of the four seats of Sri Adi Sankara, the revered Hindu sage. The seat here is known as Kanchi Kamakotti Peetham. Kanchipuram preserves the great Dravidian heritage of Vaishnavites and Shaivites.

Vaikunta Perumal Temple

The Vaikunta Perumal is a Vaishnavite temple built by Nandivarma Pallava in the 8th century. In the main parikrama of the temple, many battle scenes depicting Pallava valour have been carved on the panels.

Ekambaranathar Temple

The Ekambaranathar Temple built by the Pallavas is famous for the worship of Shiva as Prithvi (earth). It is worth mentionable that Prithvi is regarded as one of the five basic elements of the physical world. The temple is spread over a whopping 20-acre and has 11 storeyes. The temple has one of the tallest towers among temples in India.


Varadaraja Temple

This is a Vishnu temple but Vishnu is worshipped as Devarajaswamy here.The temple was built by Vijayanagar kings and the best attraction of the temple is a 100-pillared hall. The temple is well credited for its architecture.

Kamakshi Amman Temple

The Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Parvati in her incarnation as Kamakshi. This temple may be regarded as another architectural delight of Kanchipuram.

Kailasanathar Temple

The architecture of Kailasanathar Temple is almost akin to the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram. The temple has a very attractive panel that depicts Lord Shiva and Parvati in a dance sequence.

Excursion Delights

Tiruttani

Tiruttani is regarded as one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple is located on a hilltop and 365 steps symbolising the 365 days of the year have to be climbed to reach the temple. According to ancient scriptures, the Lord had married Valli, one of his consorts at the place. The Karthigai festival held in the month of December is celebrated here in a big way.


Sriperumbudur

Sriperumbudur is the birthplace of Saint Ramanujar, the propounder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. As such, the place becomes an important pilgrimage centre of Vaishnavites.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has come up naturally around a village tank and is surrounded by many trees. Many different species of migratory birds like the sandpiper, spoonbill, swan and gray wagtail come to this place. Most of the birds can be spotted during the October-February period. A number of fairs and festivals are held in Kanchipuram all round the year.

Some of the prominent festivals held here include the Brahmothsavam, Garudothsavam, and rath festivals. The mysticism in Kanchi air can always be felt as devotees continuously sing paeans in the many temples dotting the landscape of Kanchipuram.