Kanchipuram
Called: Religious Capital Of South India
Famous Temples In Kanchipuram: Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailashanathar Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Kumara Kottam, Ulahalanda Perumal Temple
Land Of Thousand Temples
Kanchipuram is a small, rural town about 75-km from
Chennai in the state
of Tamil Nadu. With the Sankara Mutt acting as the hub of Hindu activities
and the temples, Kanchipuram is one of the most highly visited
pilgrimage spots
in India , and can rightfully be called the " Religious Capital
of South India".
Kanchipuram was under the Pallavas from the 6th to 8th century AD and
later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and
the British. It has been a center of Tamil learning, cultural and
religious background for centuries. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of
unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious
Dravidian heritage.
All the religious cities in India support one of the two sects in
Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism, but Kanchipuram has blended itself
equally to both the sects, dividing itself into Vishnu Kanchi, surrounding
the Varadaraja Temple, and Shiva Kanchi, surrounding the Ekambareshwar
(also spelt as Ekambareshwa) Temple, while the Kamakshi Amman Temple
stands in between as a place of Shakti worship.
Kamakshi
Amman Temple
India has three main cities where the Goddess Shakti is worshipped.
Kanchipuram holds the most important rank among the three. In the same
order, the three places are Kanchipuram, where the Goddess Kamakshi is
worshipped, Madurai, where the Goddess
Meenakshi is worshipped, and Kashi, where the deity is 'Visaalakshi'.
The Kamakshi Amman temple is the hub of all religious activities in
Kanchipuram. The temple is also in closer control of the Shankara Mutt,
unlike the other temples, which are governed either by the Department of
Archeology, Government of India, or the Hindu Temples Department of the
Tamil Nadu Government. The kings of the Chola Empire
built the temple in 14th century AD.
The main tower over the sanctum (Vimanam) of the temple is gold plated.
Also of significance is the Golden Chariot in this temple. The Golden
Chariot is taken in a procession around the temple on Friday evenings
around 7.00 p.m. This temple also features an Art Gallery with pictures
depicting the history of Sri Adishankaracharya and the Shankara Mutt.
Kailashanathar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kailashanathar (also spelt as Kailashnatha) is
one of the earliest temples built by the Pallava ruler Rajasimha Pallava
and was completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava in the 8th century
AD. It is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of
Pallava architecture in
South
India . The temple is situated among several low-roofed houses just
over 1-km west of the town center.
Of
all the temples in India, no other edifice has been so elaborately filled
with all the 64 aspects of Lord Shiva. The temple is unique in its
architecture and is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a holy
place. Hence, it is never crowded with locals. But, once in a year during
Shivaratri festival large crowds visit the temple and there could be hours
of waiting in long queues.
Ekambareshwar Temple
Ekambareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the largest
temples in Kanchipuram, spreading over an area of 12.14 hectares. This
ancient temple is surrounded by a huge stonewall built in the early 16th
century during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Ekambareshwar temple is of hoary antiquity, beginning as a small fane, it
has grown over the centuries into a large one with innumerable shrines,
Mandapams, Gopurams and Tanks. It is considered to be one of the most
ancient temples in India and has been in existence even prior to 600 AD.
It enshrines many traditions.
Kumara Kottam
Kumara Kottam is located in between the Kamakshi and
Ekambareshwar temples
in the Somaskanda formation in the town of Kanchipuram. It is a
well-visited temple with two Prakarams and a complete pantheon of Parivara
Devatas enshrined in their respective shrines.
In the sanctum, Muruga is in a seated pose. Valli, Deivayani are absent
here, but their festival idols are kept here. In accordance with the
function of Creation he has assumed, his right arm is in Abaya pose, the
upper hand holds the rosary, and the lower left arm is on the thigh in
Katyavailambita pose with the left arm holding the Kamandalam. The posture
is also called "Brahma Chattam".
Here only honey is used for ablutions. When one comes out after
worshipping the main deity, one can see the festival idols. In the front
part of the temple in the mirror room one can see the marble figure of
Ramalinga Swamigal. 
Varadaraja Temple
The Varadaraja temple is one of the important shrines of Sri
Vaishnavites, also known as "Hastigiri" and is one of the
celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams, located in Vishnu Kanchi or "the
Little Kanchi". Originally it was known as "Attiyuran". The
main deity here is Varadaraja Perumal in a standing posture facing west
and the Lord here is also known as "Devaraja", "Pranatharthihara",
"Deva Perumal", "Athiyooran" and "Perarulalan".
Varadaraja temple with superb art has a magnificent history, which is
associated with Sri Ramanuja, who used to serve here. Many miracles are
said to have occurred. It was with his ministry that the temple, then
already several centuries old, began to gain fame.
Ulahalanda
Perumal Temple
Ulahalanda Perumal temple, situated about half a kilometre from the
centre of the town near Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the oldest temples
in Kanchipuram. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal in this temple represents the
"Vamana Roopam", an incarnation of Lord Vishnu taken to save the
Devas from the Demon king Mahabali. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal is
depicted by a huge image of about 35 feet high.
Festivals Celebrated In Kanchipuram
Some of the important festivals celebrated in Kanchipuram are the
Brahmotsavam -Varadaraja temple in May; Garuda Sevai- Varadaraja temple in
June; Float festival -Varadaraja temple in February and November; Kamakshi
Ammam Festival - February; Mahashivaratri festival - Kailashanatha temple
in February; Panguni Uthiram -Ekambareshwara temple in March-April.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Chennai is the
nearest airport to Kanchipuram.
Rail: Trains for Kanchipuram are available from
Chennai,
Chengalpattu, Tirupati,
and Bangalore.
Road: Kanchipuram is 75-km away from
Chennai and is well
connected by a network of roads. There are frequent buses from the city to
Chennai,
Bangalore and
other places. For local transportation bicycles can be hired from the
shops near the bus stand. Cycle Rickshaws and auto rickshaws are also
available on hire to move in and around the city.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate class hotels, lodges and choultries in Kanchipuram.
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