Visit South Indian Temples In Kanchipuram
This Tamil Nadu Temple Town Is One Of India's Seven Sacred Cities
Feb 12, 2009
There used to be a thousand temples in Kanchipuram, but these days only a couple of hundred are left. Some of Kanchipuram’s Hindu temples are dedicated to the god Shiva and some to Vishnu, but goddess Kamakshi (another name to Shiva's wife Parvati) is also worshipped in this pilgrimage town.
Kanchipuram’s rickshaw drivers are happy to offer tours that cover the five most important temples. A tour should cost a few hundred rupees, not more. Most drivers will also try their best to get their passengers into a silk factory or a silk store. Kanchipuram is famous for its silks, and drivers get commissions for bringing customers to silk shops. Some drivers as well as silk salesmen can be very persistent.
Kanchipuram’s Main Temples
The Kailasanath Temple is dedicated to Shiva, and is the oldest one in Kanchipuram, dating back to the 7th century. There are dozens of shrines devoted to Shiva and his wife Parvati here, and inside the inner sanctum is an old shivalingam made of black granite.
Sri Ekambareshwar Temple is one of the largest in town, and also dedicated to Shiva. According to legend, Shiva and Parvati were wed under the mango tree inside the temple compound.
The large Devarajaswami Temple is dedicated to Vishnu, and was built by the Vijayanagars, who also built the famous temples in Hampi in Karnataka. There are beautiful pillars inside that honour the various forms of god Vishnu.
The Vaikunta Perumal Temple was built soon after the Kailasanatha Temple and is also dedicated to Vishnu.
The Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Shiva’s wife, the goddess Parvati, who is known here by the name Kamakshi.
Visiting Hindu Temples In Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus, and respectful behaviour including appropriate dress is thus especially important when visiting these temples. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the innermost and most sacred area in many of the temples in Kanchipuram.
Most Kanchipuram temples are free to enter, but some charge for using cameras or video cameras. Around most temples there are several official and unofficial guides who want to offer their services, some for a small fee, some for larger sums of money. Most temples are closed between midday and 4 pm.
How To Get To Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram has bus connections to Chennai, Mamallapuram and Pondicherry. A day trip in a taxi from the beach town of Mamallapuram, or alternatively Chennai, would be another option.
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