Kancheepuram Travel Guide
The city, which is also famous for its rich silk saris, offers the tourists to the land with a culture that is undeniably one of the richest and the wisest cultures in the world. Thus, if you are planning a trip to Tamil Nadu, make sure you include a tour to Kanchipuram as an integral part of your itinerary.
How To Reach
By Air: ancheepuram does not have its own airport and the one nearest to the city is at Chennai.
By Rail: Kancheepuram is well-connected to a number of neighboring cities via an efficient network of railways. These cities include Bangalore, Chennai, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pondicherry, Rameshwaram and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Road: Kancheepuram is well-connected to a number of neighboring cities by an efficient network of roads. The transport facilities available on this network include a bus service that takes around two hours to reach the city from Chennai.
Major Attractions in Kancheepuram
Anna Memorial: Converted to a museum as a mark of respect for the city’s most famous son, Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar-statesman, affectionately called ‘Anna’, or elder brother by the people of the region, this was once the house of this famous son of the soil.
Kailasanathar Temple: A typical example of the brilliance of Pallava architecture, this is one of the most important temples of Kancheepuram, dedicated to sculpted images of Shiva, Parvati, their sons, and Yalis (mythical lions). One of the notable features of the temple are the images of Lord Shiva, where, on the southern face of the spire Shiva is depicted as Bhikshatana, (a begging ascetic), while on the northern face he is depicted in the form of Samhara-Tandava (pose, from dance of destruction).
Kamakshi Amman Temple: One of the holiest shrines of India, this is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, one of the primeval images of Parvati.
Sriperumpudhur: The birthplace of Saint Ramanujar, this is an impoartnt pilgrimage center of the Vaishnavities besides being home to a memorial for Sri Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.
Thiruthani: One of the 6 abodes of Lord Subramanya, one of the most revered divinities of Hinduism, this beautiful temple is situated on a hilltop and is celebrated as the site of the famous Karthigai festiva1 which falls in December.
Uthiramerur: An ancient Shiva temple, this is a must-visit while on a trip to Kancheepuram.
Vandalur: One of the biggest zoos in South India, this, houses a magnificent collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles.
Ekambareswarer Temple: Kanchipuram`s largest temple and an important Shiva shrine, this is one of the most revered shrines of Southern India as well as a brilliant example of the Pallava architecture.
Varadarajar Temple: Known for its magnificent sculptures, this temple is one of the leading tourist attractions of Kanchipuram.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple: One of the important Vishnu temples built by the Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla in the 7th Century AD, this temple is home to some of Kanchipuram’s most spectacular forms architecture.
