Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is the celebration of spirituality, and there are many sites over here that offer countless memories to the travelers.

Muttukadu: This is an entertainment hub for the tourists who wish to spend some time in the lap of nature. It has a water sports zone where you can enjoy water surfing and boating. It’s enticing green backdrop and glittering blue sky make it seem like a wonderland of nature. It also has a food court where you can try the local as well as the international dishes. In February, the Annual Windsurfing Regatta is organized over here.

Kamakshi Amman Temple: This is one of the few temples in India where Shakti is worshipped, and a large number of devotees visit this temple every year to seek spiritual bliss. The main tower of this temple grabs the attention of the visitors as it is gold plated, and the chariots of the temple are also made of gold. This temple was built in the 7th century sprawls in an area of around five hectares. It houses a beautiful gallery, and the sculptures of the temple are extremely awe-inspiring.

Kailasanathar Temple: This is another renowned temple in Kanchipuram that was built in the 8th century AD and is touted to be one of the oldest structures in the city. Rajasimha Pallava built this temple, and it entices visitors with its architectural splendor. The temple has stone carvings and intricate and dedicated designs that allure the travellers to visit this temple. This temple is dedicated entirely to Lord Shiva, and Maha Shivratri is celebrated here with complete vigor and cheer.

Chitragupta Temple: This temple is dedicated to Chitragupta, who is a Hindu God who punishes or rewards the people according to their karmas. It is one of the rarest temples in India dedicated to Chitragupta, and it exhibits a traditional style of architecture. This temple was built by the Chola Dynasty in the 9th century, and you can witness here the idol of Chitragupta in a sitting position with a pen in his hand and few documents in his left hand. It has a three-tiered Rajagopuram, and intricate paintings have been made on its walls.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: This sanctuary is an absolute paradise for bird lovers as it offers a delightful view of birds all across the world. It is also the favorite destination for the photographers and is considered to be one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India. It is spread across a sprawling seventy-four acres of land, and you can also witness over here the migratory birds in Summers.

Kanchi Kudil: This is a ninety-year-old hut house in Kanchipuram that represents the simple lifestyle of the people of the city, and its architecture recites the tales of the bygone era. It was earlier an ancestral house, but now it has been transformed into a heritage inn. Some of the most interesting cultural programs are organized here in the evening to entertain the visitors.

Kanchipuram is known to be the land of temples. It has more than a thousand temples with beautiful architecture and divine allure. The city houses around one hundred eight Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This city is also known for the production of Kanchipuram sarees that are woven from the thread of pure mulberry silk. Most of the workforce of the city is involved in the weaving industry. 

Kanchipuram is located at a distance of 280 kilometers from Bangalore and 69 kilometers from Chennai. It is well connected by air as well as railway to all the major cities in India. 

By Air: Chennai International Airport is the closest airport to Kanchipuram. You can book a car or taxi outside the airport and it will drop you at Kanchipuram in around one hour and twenty-one minutes.

By Train: Kanchipuram has its railway station, and it is well-linked to all the major cities of India, including Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi.

By Road: You can avail of regular bus services from the central cities of the state to Kanchipuram from Tirupati (128km), Tiruchchirappalli (290km), and Tirupati(127km).
                 You can drive from Tirupati and reach Kanchipuram in three to four hours. 

Kanchipuram was earlier known as Kachipedu or Kanchi, but it was later Sanskritized to Kanchipuram. The name Kanchi has been derived from Ka that refers to Hindu God Brahma, and anchi refers to his worship of Lord Vishnu over here.

Kanchipuram is considered to be one of the oldest cities of Southern India; it traces its history to the second century. It was a Chola capital earlier, and from the third to the ninth century, it was the capital of Pallavas. It served as the headquarters of the Chola government from the tenth to the thirteenth century.

Kanchi Kamakshi temple is around sixteen hundred years old, dating back to the era when the Pallava Dynasty ruled over this region.

The Pallava Kings built Kanchipuram Kamakshi temple in the 14th century.

March-May and Mid September to October is considered to be the best time to visit Kanchipuram as the weather remains quite pleasant during this time of the year. You should avoid visiting this place between June to September(Monsoon) as this region receives heavy rainfall during this time.