Local Attractions
Kamatchi Amman Temple
Sir Kamatchi Amman temple at Kanchipuram is one of the most famous and powerful temple in Tamilnadu. This temple sprawls across an area of 5 acres, and is the most beautiful Amman temple next to Madurai Meenakshi Amman. Kamatchi Shrine is located in Gayathri Shrine (mandapam) and the tower above her shrine is embellished with gold. The architecture of this temple is purely Dravidian and is believed to be 1000 years old. Even though it’s an Amman shrine, other Hindu gods are also found. Kamatchi Amman is seated in padmasana posture. Sri Adi Sankaracharya has installed Srichakram before the main deity which holds the power of Sri Kamatchi Amman. The temple was built in 6th Century AD by Pallava Kings.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram is one among the “Pancha Bhoota Stalam” i.e., five Shiva temples each representing five elements of life. Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the most sacred Shiva temples and it represents the element Earth. Shiva is worshipped as Ekambareswarar in this temple and it is thousands of years old with the current structure being a reconstructed one, around 600 AD by the Pallavas. The “Sthala Vriksham” or the ancient temple mango tree is more than 3500 years old under which Kamakshi worshipped the Shiv Lingam. The other significant features of the temple include the “Aayiram Kaal Mandapam” or the 1000 pillared hall, 1008 Shiv Lingams that adorn the inner walls of the temple and the ten musical pillars at the inner corridor of the temple.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Varadharaja Perumal Temple complex is in Kanchipuram and has as many as 18 Vishnu Divyadesam temples. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is one of the important Divya Desam shrines (108 temples of Vishnu) believed to have been visited and patronized by the 12 Vaishnava Tamil poet/saints -Azhwars. Sri. Ramanuja, a great exponent of Visisht Advaita philosophy is believed to have resided in this temple. Among the Divya Desams, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple is known as the ‘Perumal Koil’ .This temple is one of hugeVishnu temples like Srirangam Ranganathar temple in Tamil Nadu, covering an area of 23-acre It was first built in 1053 AD by the great Chola rulers and later Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola were instrumental in expanding the temple.
Ulagalandha Perumal Temple
Ulagalantha Perumal temple is located in Big Kanchipuram and is situated nearby Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple. It.is one of the sacred 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. The Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu is worshipped here. Built-in the Indo Dravidian style Ulagalantha Perumal temple has grand structures, colossal pavilions and intricate carvings. This temple was built by Nandiarma III in the year of 846 to 869 and was later renovated by the Pallavas and Cholas.
Kailasanathar Temple
Kailasanathar Temple is a Shiva Kanchi, which is one among the three Kanchis in Kancheepuram, the other two being the Vishnu Kanchi and the Jain Kanchi. Kailasanathar Temple is located on the banks of the Vedavathi River at the western limits of the Kanchipuram facing east. It is the oldest temple in Kancheepuram. Kailasanathar Temple was built by the Pallavas during 650 AD- 705 AD. It is the first structural temple in South India built by Rajasimha Pallaveswaram and later completed by his son Mahendra Varma Pallava.
