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

Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Kanchipuram

 

Introduction

Image: 
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): 
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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