Kancheepuram
How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport (Meenambakkam)- just a 2 hours drive away.
Train
Kanchipuram is 75 kms away from Chennai and is well connected by a good network of roads. There are bus services from Kanchi to Chennai, Bangalore, Pondicherry, Thiruppathi, Thiruvannamalai and other places.
Road
Can be reached from Chennai Central railway station and Arakkonam railway station. The Southern railway has augmented its suburban train services to Kancheepuram by extending EMU services on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu section.
I Square Taxi in Kancheepuram
Kancheepuram district, often referred to as the “Temple City,” is renowned for its magnificent temples, which highlight the rich cultural heritage of South India. Among the top tourist spots is Mamallapuram, a historic port city from the Pallava period, showcasing stunning Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art. Sriperumbudur, located 29 kilometers from Chennai, is another significant destination as the birthplace of Saint Ramanuja, a central figure in Vaishnavism. Additionally, the Kamakoti Peetham and Kamakshi Amman Temple are key religious sites tied to the life of Shankaracharya.
Some of the district’s iconic temples include the Ekambareswara Temple, a renowned Shiva temple, and the Kailasanatha Temple, built by the Pallava dynasty, featuring remarkable stone carvings. The Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, dating back to the Chola period, is another must-see, alongside temples like Sri Vardaraja Perumal, Vaikuntha Perumal, and Sri Subramaniya Swami.
Beyond its temples, Kancheepuram also offers other attractions such as the vast Muttukkadu Lake, the Bird Sanctuary at Vedanthangal, and Anna Memorial.
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Kancheepuram district has a rich historical background, having been ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Muhammadan kings, and the British before India gained independence. This region, once known as Tondaimandalam, included present-day Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, and Tiruvannamalai districts, with Kancheepuram as its capital. In 1788, a significant administrative shift occurred when the district was divided into Northern and Southern divisions, each managed by a collector. Karunguzhi served as the district headquarters until 1859, when it moved to Saidapet, except for a brief period (1825-1835) when Kancheepuram took over. Finally, on 1st July 1968, Kancheepuram was officially designated as the district headquarters.
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The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kancheepuram dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shiva lingam in this temple is 10 feet high.
Kanchi Kailasanathar temple was built in 7th century AD by a Pallava king named Rajasimha known as Narasimhavarman II. It is famous for its magnificient Vimana, the gopuram over the sanctum sanctorum.
It speaks volumes of architectural beauty that flourished in the reign of Pallava king. The foundation of the temple is laid on granite tones while the superstructure is carved out of sandstone. Currently the temple is well maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
By bus Kailasanathar Temple is 3 kms.from Kancheepuram bus stand. Nearest Railway station: Kancheepuram. From Kancheepuram Railway station the temple is 2.7 km away. Private taxi are available to reach this temple. From Chennai the temple is 75 kms away.
It is called as Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and belived to be established by Adi sankara himself as Moolamnaya Sarvajana Peetam. Kanchi Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekarendhra Saraswathy Swamigal, the 68th pontiff of this Mutt lived for 100 years and his Brindavanam is located inside the Mutt’s premises. Sree Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal and Sankara Vijayendra swamigal are the 69th and 70th pontiffs of this mutt respectively.
It is a 12th century temple in the heart of the town. “Ka” means Goddess Saraswathi ( God of Education), “ Ma” means Goddess Lakshmi (God of Wealth), “Akshi” means Eye. The name in full refers Kamakshi with Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi as her both eyes. It is an important Sakthi Sthalam called as the “Nabisthana Ottiyana Peetam”. The temple also has a golden Gopuram on the Sanctorum of Goddess Kamakshi deity which is visible to all devotees.
Goddess Kamakshi is in a sitting posture in the temple. There are no traditional Parvati or Shakthi shrines in the city of Kancheepuram, apart from this temple, which adds even more legend to this temple.
The temple is in the heart of Kancheepuram with adequate travel facilities from all parts of Tamilnadu.
It is one of the five major Shiva temples of Pancha Bootha Sthalams ( each representing a natural element) representing the element – Earth. The Single Mango tree in the outer court is revered as most sacred and it is believed, if worshipped by childless couple will be blessed with a child.
Reaching a height of 57 metres, the temple’s Raja Gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the tallest in south India and was built by the Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya.
One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the “hallway with a thousand pillars” which was built by the Vijayanagar kings.
The temple’s inner walls are decorated with an array of 1008 Siva lingams. Timings: 6.00a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
The temple is at the centre of the town and is too close to the bus stand. It can be reached by walk from there.
Sri Deveraja Swamy Temple, popularly known as Sri Varadarajar Temple is situated at the eastern corner of Kancheepuram. A 23 acre temple complex, with 19 vimanams and around 400 pillared halls is dedicated to Varadarjaperumal or Varadaraja Swamy. One of the 108 Divya Desams, all the 12 Alwars have visited and have sung hymns in praise of the lord.
The Bhramotsavam during (May/June) is the main festival of the temple. This palatial temple was constructed at various stages centuries ago by various kings. The hundred pillared Mandapam was built by the Vijayanagar kings. This has become a centre of attraction to the foreign tourists with exquisite carvings and delicate works of art. The Tiruppanies done by Alam Kheer Basha of Delhi during 1645 was inscribed on the walls of the temple.
Timings – Morning: 6.00a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Evening: 3.30p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
It is one among the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikunthanathan(Lord Paramapadanathan) and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli. It was built by Pallava King Nandivarman in the 8th century. This temple presently is under the care of Archaeology Department, Govt. of India.
It consists of three tiers. On the first tier, Moolavar vaikunda Perumal graces in his sitting posture facing west. On the second tier, Araganadha Perumal places his head towards north and showers his grace in his reclining posture. On the third tier, Paramapadanadhar graces in his standing posture. Thus Perumal graces his devotees in his three postures of sitting, reclining and standing in this temple of three tiers.
The temple tank is called Airammadha theertham and the Vimanam is known as Mukunda Vimanam. Vaikunda Ekadasi is the most important festival of the temple. The temple is at a walkable distance from the Kancheepuram bus stand. The temple is open from 7.30a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.30 p.m. till 7.30 p.m.
It
is a 400 year old ancestral home of the Damal Family, maternal fore fathers of
renowned scholar Sir. C.P.Ramasamy Iyer. This house has been converted into a
museum. Furnitures, Antique Dolls, Ancient Palm Leaves, Musical Instruments,
Pooja items, Lamps, Stone Sculptures, Paintings, Traditional Dressing &
Make –up Cases, Silk, Cotton and Handloom, men and women’s wear, Jewellery and
Indological Books are on display in this museum.
Ulagalandha Perumal is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu (known as Vamana Avataar). This talks about the divine happening of measuring the entire universe in one step by Lord Vishnu in the form of a Brahman, as a gift fromKing Mahabali. This temple was built by Jayam Konda Cholan.
This architecturally beautiful temple has a unique feature of having four Divya Desams in the same complex. 1. Thiru Ooragam. 2. Thiruneeragam 3. Thirukkarvanam. This is a unique feature which can’t be seen anywhere. It is a great benediction to Kanchi to have 4 “Divya Desams” in a single temple.
Ulagalanda Perumal temple is situated very near to Kancheepuram Bus Stand. The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Deviating from the normal posture with four arms, Lord Vishnu is in standing posture with 8 arms called as Ashtabuja Perumal. The temple is one o the 108 Divyadesams of Perumal. A separate Mangalasasanam (hymns) is addressed to Goddess by Azhwar only in the temple. This temple was built by Thondaiman Chakravarthy who is popularly named as Vayiramoghan.
The Perumal is in this sthalam is Sri Aadhikesava Perumal and he is seen with 8 hands. He holds Chakaram, Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the right hands and Sangu, Bow, Kedayam and Gadha on the left.
This temple with a single prakaram covering an area of about an acre has a 3 tiered rajagopuram in its northern entrance and the temple tank is Gajendra Pushkarini. There are shrines to Bhuvaraahar, Aandal, Peyalwar and Hanuman.
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. The temple is 2 kms from Kancheepuram bus stand.
Uthiramerur is located about 85 kms. From Chennai. This temple is about 1200 years old built by Nandhi Varma with the help of Paramesa Vathan an extremely skilled Vasthu Sasthra expert. This temple has numerous inscriptions about Chola and Vijayangaram regime.
The rituals in this temple are performed as per Krishna Yajuveda Vaikasana Agamam. Sri Kamakshi Sametha Sri Kailshanathar Temple dedicated to Lord Siva is also located at Uthiramerur.
The temple is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Uthiravarma Chola.ord Vishnu is generally seen in either of the 3 forms,Nindraan (Standing),Irundhaan (Sitting) or Kidandhaan (Reclining) This is one of the few tempstandingles where you can have dharshan of Maha Vishnu in all this 3 forms.
Sri Kumara Kottam temple is located in Kancheepuram, one of India’s seven “moksha-puris” or sacred cities where salvation may be obtained. It is just half a kilometer to the northwest of the bus stand, on the west Raja Street at the north end of which is the SankaraMatham, and at the south end is the Kachapeswarar Temple. In this temple, the sacred Kanda Puranam in praise of Lord Muruga was composed by the saintly scholar KachiappaSivachariyar. Every Tuesday and every Krittikai is very auspicious to pray in this temple. The two most important festivals celebrated in this temple are SkandaShashti immediately after Deepavali in October/November and Vaisaka Festival in April/May every year.
This temple is considered as important as the ArupadaiVeedu (six abodes) of Murugan. The VallakottaiMurugan Temple finds reference in Thirupugazh, written by the famous 15th-century poet-saint, Arunagirinathar. Eight verses in the Thirupugazh are in worship of the temple.
The temple is ancient and believed to be around 1,200 years old, built by King Bhagirath, the ruler of Sankondpuram in the kingdom of Ilanji. He built the temple as his gratitude towards God. The VallakottaiMurugan is called IzhandaSelvangalaiMeetuthTharumArulmiguKodayaAndavar. (he who restores all that is lost).
The temple tank is called the VajraTheertha, and it is the firm belief of devotees that a holy dip in the tank, chanting the name Om Saravanabhava can end all miseries. The Subramaniyaswami temple is very famous and has the tallest idol of Murugan in India.
The VallakottaiMurugan Temple lies in the Sriperumbudur- Singaraperumalkoil road. The temple is built along the lines of Dravidian architecture. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram with a big mandapam at the front. The Rajagopuram leads to a granite hall with pillars and the sanctum. The sanctum faces east, and the presiding deity stands 7 feet tall in a standing posture. Twin images of the peacock stand facing the presiding deity.
The idols of UtsavaMurugar, Shri Ambal, Shri Shanmugam, and Shri Vinayagar
The temple celebrates the PanguniUthiram festival in March. The AadiKrithigai festival in the Tamil month of Aadi is significant, and thousands of devotees offer worship at the temple on this day. The temple celebrates the Brahmotsavam, SkandaShashti, and the marriage of Murugan and Valli. The Thirukarthigai festival is observed in the month of November-December.
Temple Timings Morning: 06.30 AM – 12.30 PM, Evening: 05.00 PM – 08.30 PM
Events & Festivals
In Kanchipuram district, Festivals are celebrated almost on all the days in various Temples.
However, the main festival of Sri Varadharaja Perumal Swamy Temple is held every year in the month of May, a major festival are “Karuda Seva” and the “Chariot Festival”.
In Ekambaranathar temple Brahmachavam is celebrated 10 days in the month of March and also Ekambaranathar and Elavarkuzhali Amman wedding is held.
Tourism Festival celebrations are held during the month of October every year.