Kanchipuram

Architecture

Tamil Nadu

36°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Kanchipuram is a city in Tamil Nadu which is renowned for its Kanchipuram Sarees and is also referred to as the golden city of a thousand temples.

Due to this and many more reasons, Kanchipuram attracts a lot of tourist attention on an annual basis.

Apart from the cultural significance which includes music, folk dance, and several other things, you can also visit Kanchipuram for its history, the impact of Hinduism as well as its impeccable architectural marvels like Kamakshi Temple and Kailasnathar Temple.

Best Time to Vist Kanchipuram

If you are wondering about the best time to visit Kanchipuram then let us break the news to you; it is between the months of January to April, as this is the time when several festivals are also celebrated here. Traveling here during these months will fetch you an opportunity to get to know about these festivals along with the local culture.

History of Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram has time and again been referred to as the Banaras of the South by none other than the renowned poet Kalidasa (AD 366 - AD 446).

Historically, various events associated with Kanchipuram can be traced back to the 2nd century BCE.

Kanchipuram was also believed to have been an integral part of the Dravida Kingdom at one point. And since the beginning, this place was ruled over by several dynasties. For instance, when it was a part of the Pallava Kingdom, Kanchipuram saw a great rise and improvement in terms of architectural activities, which included the building of roads, temples and so many other things.

Pallava's reign was then followed by the Chola reign which was in about 890 AD and during those times, Kanchipuram also served as the capital of the Chola dynasty. Due to all this and many such incidents wrapped the quilt of history, it won’t be wrong to say that Kanchipuram holds a great historical prominence.

And did you know that Kanchipuram has also served as a strategic battleground for the East India Company in wars against the French, and in Anglo-Mysore wars that took place in the 18th century?

Places To Visit In Kanchipuram

1. Kamakshi Amman Temple

It won’t be wrong to say that this temple is considered one of the historical gems from our illustrious past. This place is also known for the divine presence of Goddess Kamakshi; the incarnation of Maa Parvati herself. Thus, amongst the devotees, this place carries great significance.

2. Devarajaswami Temple

The kings of Vijaynagar had created this temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. The ornamented engraved pillars inside the temple are a thing to watch and cherish. Interestingly, this temple also has a marriage hall which was built to commemorate the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi according to our mythology. If you have a keen interest in Hindu architecture then a visit to the Devarajaswami temple will be greatly insightful for you. Devarahaswami temple is one of the most popular places to visit in Tamil Nadu.

3. Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam

Situated in Kanchipuram, this is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas which essentially represents five materials need for our very existence on this plain. These elements are fire, earth, sky, water, and air. And out of these five, Kanchipuram represents Earth. Mainly devotees come here in search of peace and liberation. You will also get to see traditional aartis and pooja rituals being conducted.

How to Reach Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is an amazing city loaded with India’s cultural heritage as well as incredible history. It is located at a distance of about 477, 1,079, 1,195, 1,685 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can travel to Kanchipuram by the following means of public transportation.

By Air

Chennai has fairly good flight connectivity with other Indian cities. The nearest airport from Kanchipuram is the Chennai Airport (MAA) situated at a distance of 60-70 km. It is considered to be the third busiest airport in the country. It has been fairly well-connected with other cities and towns. From the airport, you will need to take a cab or some other means of public transportation to reach here.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Kanchipuram

By Train

If you are planning to visit Kanchipuram by train, then deboard at Kanchipuram Station (CJ). It is an important part of the Chennai Railway division of the Southern Railway Zone. It receives trains ‘to and fro’ from nearby regions with good connectivity. From the station, you will need to book a taxi or some other means of local transportation.

By Road

You shouldn’t be having any kind of problem if you are planning a trip by road. Kanchipuram is well connected with other Indian cities by motorable roadways and national highways. If you are residing in nearby regions like Tindivanam, Vellore, Chittoor, then, you can easily book interstate/private buses, taxis or if it suits you, take your own vehicle here.

From Vellore - 70 km via Vellore-Chennai Road
From Tiruvannamalai - 123 km via NH77
From Puducherry - 110 km via NH32

Frequently Asked Questions about Kanchipuram

Q. Where is Kanchipuram located?
A. Kanchipuram is a city located in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Q. What are the popular tourist destinations in Kanchipuram?
A. Some popular tourist destinations in Kanchipuram include the Ekambareswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Vaikunta Perumal Temple.

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here