Kanchipuram temple, KANCHIPURAM Travel Guide, Hotels in Kanchipuram, History and facts about KANCHIPURAM Tamilnadu

Hinduism

Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Kanchipuram

Introduction
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Mythological Beliefs
Historical Facts
Main Places To See
Main Festivals
Where To Stay
Location/Climate
General Information
Travel Planner

Introduction

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Introduction:

	Kanchipuram, one of the 7 mokshadaayi puris, is situated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

	Kanchi has 2 parts—Shiv Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi— i.e., it is a centre for both, Shaiv and Vaishnav followers. That is why it is also referred to as Hariharatmak Puri.

	It is also known as the city of Sahastra (a thousand) temples. However, currently only 125 temples exist here.

	Kanchi was also a centre of anti-Brahmin agitation. The renowned nationalist leader Annadurai started his agitation from here, and he later went on to become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

	Kanchi is also famous for handicraft industry and silk sarees.

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs:

Religious scriptures like Mahabharat, Skand Puran, and Brahmand Puran have referred to Kanchipuram as mokshdaayi puri.

It is believed that one who has a holy bath in Sarvteerth Sarovar and then worships Ekamreshwar Mahadev is never reborn.

Brahmand Puran refers to Kashi and Kanchi as the 2 eyes of Lord Shiv.

The same Puran states that Brahma meditated to get a darshan of Shridevi as a result of which Mahalaxmi and Lord Vishnu appeared before Brahma to fulfill his wish.

Kanchi also has an important Shaktipeeth and here devi is worshipped in the form of Kamakshi.

Here, Shiv-Parvati are worshipped in the Som-Skand from wherein Kartikeya (Subramanyam) is also worshipped along with Shiv and Parvati.

It is considered as an important Vaishnav area which is comparable to Vaikunth of Lord Vishnu.

Historical Facts

History:

Kanchi is a prominent city of Tondai Mandalam which has references in literature of the sangam era like Patthupaatu, Tamil poem Manimekhalai, and Patanjali’s Mahabhashya.

In the early years of the Christian calendar, it was under the Cholas; however, from the 3rd century onwards, when the Pallavas made it their capital, it underwent maximum development.

Samudragupt’s Prayag Prashasti (citation) has a mention of the Pallav King Vishnu Gop.

King Mahendravardhan, a contemporary of Harshvardhan, was a man of multiple talents and had great respect for the Shaiv saint Appar.

Most of the temples here have been constructed during the period of Narsingh Varman 2 (Rajsingh), Nandi Varman, and Danti Varman.

In the 10th century, the Cholas conquered the entire Tondai Mandalam, including Kanchi.

It was during the reign of Pallav and Chola dynasty that the development of the Dravidian style of temple construction took place.

The first Muslim invasion in the area was in 1310 A.D. by Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji.

After the establishment of the Vijaynagar Empire, the development of Kanchi started again. Krishnadevray built the famous Varadraj Perumal temple

In 1677 A.D., Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj camped in the area, which was later conquered by Aurangzeb.

Main Places To See

Main Places To See:

There are 107 temples pertaining to Shiv and 18 pertaining to Vishnu, some of which are as follows:

Kailashnath Temple:

Dedicated to Shiv, this is the most ancient temple of Kanchi built by Narsingh Varman 2 (Rajsingh). The early forms of Dravid style can be witnessed in the temple.

Varadaraj Perumal Temple:

This is the biggest temple of Lord Varadraj (Vishnu) in Kanchi which has a huge idol of Vishnu. With a Gopuram of 11 storeys, the temple was built by Krishnadevray.

Vaikunth Perumal Temple:

This temple was built by Nandi Varman and is currently under the archaeological department.Lion pillars have been built in the inner walls.

Ekamreshwar Temple:

This Shivkanchi Temple has idols of Ganesh and Kartikeya besides those of Shiv-Parvati. The sacred Sarvteerth Sarovar is situated close to the temple.

Kamakshi Temple:

This Shaktipeeth lies between Shivkanchi and Vishnukanchi. It is also called Kaamkoti. The temple premises also have the temples of Devi Sharda and Annapurna.

Subramanyam Swami Temple:

This temple built in 1915 A.D. has an idol of Kartikeya with Shiv-Parvati in the Som-Skand pose. This temple is also called Kandakottam Temple.

Anna Memorial:

The birthplace of the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr Annadurai has now been dedicated to the nation.

Shankaracharya Math:

It is believed that this is the 5th math established by Shankaracharya. It is also called Kaamkoti Peeth. The current Shankaracharya here is Jayendra Saraswati.

Main Festivals

Main Festivals:

Varadraj Perumal Rath Yatra:

With the beat of drums and chanting of Vishnu’s name, this procession is taken out on huge wooden chariots. It is organised in January, April, and May.

Varadraj Brahmotsav:

This festival is a mix of fun and spiritualism when Perumal is bathed in the Palar river. It is held on Vaishakh Poornima (May).

Naynar Uryavan:

As a mark of respect to 63 Nainar saints, the idol of Lord Ekamranath is taken around the city in the form of a procession.

Devadhiraj Mahotsav:

This festival is held once in every 40 years on Athigiri Mountain when Sheshshaayi Vishnu idol is brought out of the lake for 48 hours. The next such celebration will be held in 2019.

Besides these prominent festivals, Shivratri, Pongal, Vaikunth Ekadashi, etc are also celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Where To Stay

Where To Stay :

Dharamshalas:

Besides the Gujarati Dharmshala, there is another dharmshala near the main temple. Apart from these, some business houses have also built dharmshalas.

Hotels:

Category	General

Name	M M Hotel

Address	Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2722 7235

Category	General

Name	Shri Rama Lodge

Address	21, Nilukara Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu – 631 502

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2722 2435

Category	Medium

Name	Babu Surya Hotel

Address	85, East Raja Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 27222555

Fax	+91 - 44 - 2722 2555

Category	Medium

Name	Hotel Tamil Nadu

Address	Kamakshi Aman Shanti Street, Big Kanchipuram

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2722 2553 / 4

Fax	+91 - 44 - 2722 2552

Web Site	www.alpanahotels.com

Category	High

Name	Jaiwal International Hotel

Address	504 Gandhi Road, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - 631 501

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2722 4453 / 2722 4348 / 2722 9728

Web Site	www.hoteljaybala.com

Category	High

Name	G R T Regency

Address	487, Gandhi Road, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - 631 501

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2722 5250

Fax	+91 - 44 - 2722 4263

Web Site	www.grthotels.com

Category	High

Name	Green Coconut Resort

Address	No. 58/1, East Coast Road, Mutukadu, Dist. Kanchipuram, Pin - 603 112

Telephone	+91 - 44 - 2747 2035 / 36 /37

Fax	+91 - 44 - 2747 2066

Location/Climate

Location/Climate:

Location

Geographical Location		Height Above Sea Level	Average Annual Rainfall

Latitude	Longitude	85 metres	87 cms

20.5˚ N	75.45˚ E

Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Maximum	29	31	34	36	38	37	35	35	34	32	30	29

Minimum	21	23	24	26	28	28	28	26	25	24	23	22

Important Informations

	Kanchi is situated in the Coramandal area near the Palar river.

	Generally tourists visit all year round, however the best time for touring is between October and March

General Information

General Information:

STD Code	044

Puja Timings	6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Police Assistance	+91- 44 - 2723 9200

Hospital & Ambulance	Government Hospital, Railway Road, Kanchipuram
	MSD Hospital, East of Raja Street, Kanchipuram

Currency Exchange	Bank of India Tel: +91 - 44 - 2722 2820
	Punjab National Bank, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - 631 501 Tel: +91 - 44 - 2722 2107

ATM Centre	SBI Kanchipuram Branch, P. B. No. 123, Gandhi Road, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - 631 502
	ICICI Bank Ltd Ground floor, Jagatguru Shri Shankaracharya Swami Math, Kanchipuram

Post Office	Kanchipuram R S Idso Kanchipuram Taluka, Dist. Kanchipuram

Tourist Office	Tel: +91 - 44 - 2722 2554

Shopping	Kanchipuram is famous for its silk sarees which is the means of livelihood for 75% of the population here. Gold thread embroidery is done on Malabari silk sarees. Most of the business is through cooperatives. Retail shops engage in negotiations too.

Food

Shravan Restaurant (Near Hotel Jaiwala), Hotel Maharaj, Shri Munikundi (non-veg), Sinal Restaurant

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate):

PDF File:

kanchipuram.pdf

Airports in the vicinity:

- चेन्नई

- तिरूचिरापल्ली

- पांडिचेरी

Railway:

Main Railway Stations	Station Code

Kanchipuram	CJ

Shrirangam	SRGM

Kumbhakonam	KMU

Tanjore	TJ

Road Distance from Destinations:

Kanchipuram	Chennai	070 km
	Tiruchirapalli	265 km

Shrirangam	Chennai	310 km
	Tiruchirapalli	010 km

Thingalur	Kumbhakonam	32 km
	Tanjore	13 km

Alangudi	Kumbhakonam	103 km
	Tanjore	50 km

Thirunageswaram	Kumbhakonam	7 km
	Tanjore	60 km

Thiruverkadu	Chennai	63 km
	Tiruchirapalli	72 km

Tanjore	Chennai	321 km
	Tiruchirapalli	55 km

Keezhperumpallam	Kumbhakonam	68 km
	Tanjore	76 km

Kanjanur	Kumbhakonam	18 km
	Tanjore	64 km

हिन्दी
Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
12.830833°, 79.707778°

Kanchipuram temple, KANCHIPURAM Travel Guide, Hotels in Kanchipuram, History and facts about KANCHIPURAM Tamilnadu

Introduction

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Mythological Beliefs

Historical Facts

Main Places To See

Main Festivals

Where To Stay

Location/Climate

General Information

Travel Planner

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