Kancheepuram City

About:

Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is the name of a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district in Tamilnadu, India in ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi.Kanchipuram has a long history behind it. Cholas ruled the town from 10th – 13th century and Vijayanagara dynasty ruled from 14th – 17th century. Ekamabaranadhar temple with a height of 192-ft high tower and the Varadaraja Perumal temple with 100-pillar mandapam are some of the most splendid architectural gems of Vijayanagara Dynasty. Ancient city of Kanchipuram or the city of thousand temples has 108 temples dedicated to Siva and 18 to Vishnu along with Adi Shankaracharya Mutt and scores of other temples, mosques and churches. Apart from the temples and shrines, Kanchipuram is well renowned for handloom industry, traditional cotton and silk saris. The skills of the silk weavers of Kanchi settled here for more than 400 years ago are legendary and are said to be the producer of the best silk sarees in the country.Kancheepuram. Like all ancient cities, Kancheepuram is also situated on the banks of a river, Vegavati. Kalidasa has described, it to be the best among the cities (Nagareshu Kanchi) while Yuan Chwang, the great Chinese traveler, visited the city in the 7th century and said that its people were famous for bravery and piety as well as for their love of justice and veneration for learning.Kancheepuram or Conjeevaram is situated on the banks of River Vegavati. While Kalidasa referred to the city as the best among the cities (Nagareshu Kanchi) in his works, Yuan Chwang, the great Chinese traveler, who wandered to the place in the 7th century, wrote about the bravery, piety, love of justice and veneration for learning of its people. According to the latter, Buddha had also visited the place. Often referred to as the ‘Kashi Of the South’, it is one of seven of the the most sacred towns for Hindus. The erstwhile capital of Pallavas, it was fortified by them ramparts and moats for security purposes. Many of the wide and well laid out roads and temples were founded during their period. Once a major maritime power, it had contacts with far-off China, Siam and Fiji.Kanchipuram, the temple town is the district headquarters. For administrative reasons, the district has been divided into 3 revenue divisions comprising of 8 taluks with 1214 revenue villages. For development reasons, it is divided into 13 development blocks with 648 Village Panchayats.

Kanchipuram has a long history behind it. Cholas ruled the town from 10th – 13th century and Vijayanagara dynasty ruled from 14th – 17th century. Ekamabaranadhar temple with a height of 192-ft high tower and the Varadaraja Perumal temple with 100-pillar mandapam are some of the most splendid architectural gems of Vijayanagara Dynasty. Ancient city of Kanchipuram or the city of thousand temples has 108 temples dedicated to Siva and 18 to Vishnu along with Adi Shankaracharya Mutt and scores of other temples, mosques and churches. Apart from the temples and shrines, Kanchipuram is well renowned for handloom industry, traditional cotton and silk saris. The skills of the silk weavers of Kanchi settled here for more than 400 years ago are legendary and are said to be the producer of the best silk sarees in the country.

Location info:

Kancheepuram ,City,Tamil Nadu,India

Climate/Weather:

Summer Max. 45.0 °C (113.0 °F) ,Min. 21.1 °C (70.0 °F)
Winter Max28.7 °C (83.7 °F) ,Min.14.0 °C (57.2 °F)

History of Kancheepuram City:

This city was the Historical Capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar rulers. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D. It later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, the Muslims and the British. During Pallava times, it was briefly occupied by the Chalukyans of Badami, and by the Rastrakutas when the battle fortunes of the Pallava kings reached a low ebb. Many of these temples are the beautiful work of Pallavas and later, Cholas. The remains of a few Buddhist stupas here also bear testimony that Buddhism also prevailed here for a while. One of the Acharya Peetas of Sri Adi Sankaracharya – The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is situated here. It has been a centre for Tamil learning and Culture for centuries and gives us a clear picture of the glorious Dravidian Heritage of the Vaishnavites and Shaivites.Kanchipuram, the “Silken Paradise” is world renowned for the gorgeous hand-woven silk sarees of myriad rich colours, noted for their shine, finish and matchless beauty. The exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for lustre, durability and finish. They reflect a weaving and dyeing tradition hundreds of years old and whose riches the West came seeking before the industrial age began.

Educational Institutions Kancheepuram City::

Arts & Science:Pachaiyappa’s College for Men, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram
Pachaiyappa’s College for Women, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram
Rajeswari Vedachalam Government Arts College, Kanchipuram
Annai Theresa College of Arts and Science, Kanchipuram
Apollo Arts and Science College, Kanchipuram
C.S.I. Edward Women’s Christian College, Kanchipuram
Kanchi Kamatchi Amman Arts and Science College for Women, Kanchipuram Taluk
Kanchi Shri Krishna College of Arts and Science, Kanchipuram
Meenakshi Ammal Arts and Science College for Women, Uthiramerur
Pattammal Alagesan College of Arts and Science, Kanchipuram
SCSVMV University (Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya), Kancheepuram
Sri Muthukumaran Arts and Science College, Chennai
Sri Sankara Arts and Science College, Kanchipuram
Vidhya Sagar Women’s College, ChengalpattuAyurveda:Dharma Ayurveda Medical Research Institution, SriperumputhurHotel Management:S.R.M. Institute of Hotel Management, Kattankulatthur
Apollo Arts and Science College, Kanchipuram
C.S.I. Edward Women’s Christian College, KanchipuramDental:Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Madhuranthagam Taluk
Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai
Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Melmaruvathur
Chettinad University (Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute), KelambakkamEngineering:Aksheyaa College of Engineering, Maduranthagam
Asan Memorial College of Engineering and Technology, Chengalpattu
Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Maduranthagam Taluk
Maamallan Institute of Technology, Sriperumpudur
Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur
S.M.K. Fomra Institute of Technology, Chengelput Taluk
Saveetha Engineering College, Sriperumbudur Taluk
SRM University (S.R.M. Engineering College), Chengalpattu Taluk
Valliammai Engineering College, Chengalpattu Taluk
A.C.T. College of Engineering and Technology, Maduranthagam
A.R.M. College of Engineering and Technology, Chengalpet
Adhi College of Engineering and Technology, Kancheepuram
Adhiparasakthi Engineering College, Cheyyar Taluk
Apollo Engineering College, Sriperumbudur
Arignar Anna Institute of Science and Technology, Sriperumpudur Taluk
Balaji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Thiruporur
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Engineering and Technology, Mamallapuram
Indira Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology for Women, Chengalpattu Taluk
JEI Mathaajee College of Engineering, Kancheepuram
Kalsar College of Engineering, Sriperambudur Taluk
Kanchi Pallavan Engineering College, Kancheepuram
Kings Engineering College, Sriperumbudur
Lord Venkateshwara Engineering College, Kanchipuram Taluk
Loyola Institute of Technology, Sriperumbudur Taluk
P.B. College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur
P.T. Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker College of Engineering and Technology, Kancheepuram
Pallavan College of Engineering, Kancheepuram Taluk
Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Sriperumbudur Taluk
Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Sriperumbudur Taluk
Rrase College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur
Sakthi Engineering College, Chennai
Sakthi Mariamman Engineering College, Sriperumbudhur
SCSVMV University (Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya), Kancheepuram
Shri Andal Alagar College of Engineering, Madurantakam Taluk
Sri Padmavathy College of Engineering, Valarpuram post
Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur
St. Joseph College of Engineering, Sriperumpudur
The New Royal College of Engineering and Technology, Thirukkalukundram Taluk
Thirumalai Engineering College, Krishnapuram Post
V.I. Institute of Technology, Chengalpet
V.K.K. Vijayan Engineering College, Sriperumbudur

Langauge

The city has a multi-cultural society with a sizeable presence of Tamil, English, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam-speaking population. The city projects a calm outlook and is considered to be friendly toward tourists.

Culture:

Festivals:
For a truly once in a lifetime experience, visit the Bannari Mariamman Temple and the Sri Aggnigunda Kali or Kodantha Kaliamman temple during the month of January when the famous fire walking ritual is held.

How to reach Kancheepuram City:?

Nearest Railway Station:There are regular train services to and Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, and Bangalore, with the exception that trains for Chengalpattu do not run on national holidays.

Nearest Airport:The nearest airports are in Chennai, where there are both domestic and international airports with regular flights from all the major cities in India and abroad.

Road Transport:75 km from Chennai, it is well connected by a network of roads and frequent bus services to and from Chennai, Bangalore and other places.

Tourist Attraction of Kancheepuram City:

Kamaski Temple:
The Kanchi Kamaski Temple is one of the triad of temples. The triad includes Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kasi Visalakshi. This temple in Kanchipuram is an extremely famous one The Kanchi Kamaski Temple is one of the triad of temples. The triad includes Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kasi Visalakshi. This temple in Kanchipuram is an extremely famous one and is an excellent example of saktis. It is known for its absolutely exquisite sculptures. The sculptures are also painted vivid colors to make them almost come to life. One of the most famous sculptures in the temple is the larger than life sculpture of Kamakshi herself. The beauty of this one sculpture is worth the time and effort that it takes to visit this one templeEkambaranatha Temple:
The Ekambaranatha Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram. It covers an impressive 20 acres. This particular temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva, and was built by the Pallavas The Ekambaranatha Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram. It covers an impressive 20 acres. This particular temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva, and was built by the Pallavas and then in turn was altered by both the Cholas and the Rayas. One remarkable feature of this temple is the fact that the 1000 lingas are all carved out of one solitary stone. Also, there are one thousand pillared halls found within the temple. Outside of the Ekambaranatha Temple there is a mango tree that is over 3500 years old. There are four separate limbs found on the tree that represent the Four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana). Tradition has it that the fruit from each limb tastes different even though they all are on the same tree.Kamakshi Amman Temple:
The Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvathi. It is believed to have been originally built by the Pallava kings before the 7th century, but was then later The Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvathi. It is believed to have been originally built by the Pallava kings before the 7th century, but was then later rebuilt by the Cholas during the 14th Century. This particular temple is located directly in the heart of Kanchipuram. It is known as one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship. At this temple there is a Sankaracharya shrine. Sankaracharya was the man who found the Kamakoti Monastery and is known as one of the greatest Hindu saints. He is also known for building a golden tower.Kachapeshwarar Temple:
It is at the Kachapeshwarar Temple that the Lord Shiva can be seen being worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the form of Tortoise (Kachap). This image can be seen on .It is at the Kachapeshwarar Temple that the Lord Shiva can be seen being worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the form of Tortoise (Kachap). This image can be seen on sculptures and engravings that adorn this beautiful temple. It is unusual for a temple to be dedicated to one Hindu god, in this case Lord Shiva, and then show another god worshipping that entity. This occurrence is one of the items that make this particular temple unique. The beautiful interior of the temple is just as impressive as the exteriorKailasanathar Temple:
The Kailasanathar Temple is one of the earliest and most remarkable temples that are found in the Kanchipuram area. It was built in the 7th century by the Pallava king . The Kailasanathar Temple is one of the earliest and most remarkable temples that are found in the Kanchipuram area. It was built in the 7th century by the Pallava king Rajasimha. This particular temple is an excellent example of early Dravidian architecture. One notable feature that is unique to this temple is that there is a 16-sided Shiva lingam that is made out of black granite at the main shrine. Both the elegant decorations that are carved on this temple as well as the architectural style of the building closely resemble the impressive sculptures that are found at Mahabalipuram.Vaikunda Perumal Temple:
The Vaikunda Perumal Temple was built by the Pallava king Nadivarman II during the 7th century. This is particular temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In fact, Lord Vishnu’s image .The Vaikunda Perumal Temple was built by the Pallava king Nadivarman II during the 7th century. This is particular temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In fact, Lord Vishnu’s image can be seen in standing, sitting and reclining forms on towering vimanas that can be seen throughout the temple. There are also many beautiful lion pillared cloisters as well as several bas – reliefs in the main shrine of the temple. Inscriptions that tell of the history of the temple as well as the history of the city itself can be seen on the walls. India’s Department of Archeology cares for this temple.Kanchi Kudhil:
The Hindu religion is prominent throughout all of India. Many of the temples that can be seen there are in fact Hindu temples. The ancient culture as well as the .The Hindu religion is prominent throughout all of India. Many of the temples that can be seen there are in fact Hindu temples. The ancient culture as well as the cultural heritage of Hinduism is shown at Kanchi Kudhil. This is a small house that shows exactly how the Hindu religion is intertwined into India’s history and modern day way of life. This fascinating place of discovery is open to visitors. There is no better way for a person of another faith to understand and appreciate the fascinating religion of Hinduism than to visit the Kanchi Kudhil.Devarajaswami Temple:
The Devarajaswami Temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. There are elaborately carved pillars that can be seen throughout the temple.The Devarajaswami Temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. There are elaborately carved pillars that can be seen throughout the temple. This particular temple has a marriage hall that was built in remembrance of the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. There is a water tank that contains a large statue of Lord Vishnu inside the water. The tank is drained every 40 years. At that time, the 10 meter high statue can be seen, and is then established for darshan for 48 days before it is immersed in water once again. There is also an enormous chain that was engraved out of one single stone.Varadaraja Temple:
The beautiful Varadaraja Temple was built during the 10th century by the Vijayanagar kings. There is a big outer wall that surrounds this fine temple. It also has an impressiveVedanthangal:
Birds at Vadanthangal bird sanctuaryIt is one of the major Water Bird Sanctuaries in India, 48 km from Kanchipuram. Storks, Egrets, Cormorants, Darter, Flamingos, Pelicans, moor hens, herons, kingfishers, sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails are some of the birds which arrive here during season. The best time to visit is between October and March, when a large number of migratory birds visit. The birds can be viewed from the bank or from the watch tower.Muttukadu:
This is a large lake formed out of the backwaters from Bay of Bengal. It has boating and wind surfing facilities. It is located at a distance of 80 km from Kanchipuram . The backwaters of Muttukkadu have been developed by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a picnic spot and a center for water sports. Training and demonstration programmes are also organised for beginners.Mamallapuram:
It was a flourishing port town during the time of Pallavas. This is one of the main tourist places in kanchipuram. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art. The group of sculptures in Mamallapuram are listed out by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.Covelong:
This is a small fishing village 40 km from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road. There are the remains of a fort, which now functions as a luxury beach resort. Facilities for windsurfing and swimming are available here. A dargah and an ancient church are also located here.
Crocodiles in Crocodile BankDakshina Chitra:
Dakshina Chitra has relocated 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses and re-created village streets and work places providing authentic insights into the domestic architecture, spatial organisation, life-styles and character of the essential Tamil or Keralite or Andhrite or Kannadiga.

The Crocodile Bank:
Just 14 km from Mamallapuram is this crocodile breeding center. At this center, about 5000 crocodiles of 6 different species, alligators & other reptiles are bred in captivity, kept in open, marshy enclosures. There is also a snake farm where anti venom is produced and there is a regular venom extraction show.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Kancheepuram City::

MM Hotel:65, 66 Nellukara Street,, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu,Ph: 044 27227250Hotel Saravana Bhavan:Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Useful Links:

www.kanchiportal.com