Kanchipuram is a city of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of
Kanchipuram district. In ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi.
Kanchipuram is located on the Palar River, and known for its temples and silk sarees. There are several big temples, notably Ekambaranatha Temple which is one of the five form of abodes of Lord Siva, (it is the earth abode here, other abodes include Chidambaram (Sky), Sri Kalahasti (air), Thiruvanaikoil (water) and Tiruvannamalai (fire)), Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple and many more. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk sarees, which are woven manually. These saris are considered to be of the highest quality; almost every relatively well-off South Indian woman has a Kanjivaram sari in her collection. The Kanjivaram saris woven at Kanchipuram are also prized in North India.
The term "nagareshu Kanchi" in the above verse attributed the famous Sanskrit poet, Kalidasa, means that Kanchi was the best amongst the cities of medieval India.
Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in South India, and was a city of learning for both Tamil and Sanskrit, and was believed to be visited by Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang). It was during the reign of Pallava dynasty, from the 4th to the 9th centuries that Kanchipuram attained its limelight. The city served as the Pallava capital, and many of the known temples were built during their reign.
PLACE TO VISIT
Varadharaja Perumal Temple - It is an ancient temple built by the Cholas in 1053 and one of the 108 divyadesams the holy abodes of Vishnu. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this temple and one of the greatest Hindu scholars, Ramnujacharya is believed to have resided in this temple . The temple is a huge one on a 23 acre complex and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. Another significant thing about the temple are beautiful carved lizards and platted with gold, over the sanctum. The temple is originally built in 1053 and it was expanded during the reings of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola.
Sri Adhikesava Perumal Temple - The Legend says that Lord Adhikesava Perumal killed the snake which came to disrupt the yaga done by Lord Brahma. Here, Lord Shiva also guards the temple as Sarabeshwarar. The Lord here is in standing posture with eight hands having Chakra, Knift, Pushpa, Arrow on the right hand and Shanku, Bow, Gada and Kadga in left hand inorder to save the yagna. The Legend also tells that Lord had answered to the prayers of Gajendra from here. Peyalvar was given the vision of Gajendra Varadar at this temple.
Sri Yathothkari Temple - The temple has two prakarams and has five tired rajagopuram. There are different sannidhis. Pilla Logachariyar sannidhi is also present. The Lord here is in reclining posture from right to left. Lord Brahma was doing Yagam at this place when River Vegavati (Saraswati) flowed heavily to destroy the Yagna. This was planned by Asuras. But Lord Vishnu laid down here as a dam and saved the Yagna.
Sri Deepa prakasa Perumal Temple - The temple has three tired Rajagopuram and two prakarams. The Lord here is in standing posture along with his consorts. There are shrines for Lakshmi Hayagriva, Andal, Vedanta Desika and Alwars. It is the birth place of Vedanta Desika. There is a separate shrine for Lord Hayagreeva along with Vedanta Desika. There is also a separate shrine for Vedanta Desika built by Nayina Varadachariyar who is the son of Desika. Murals depicting Vendanta Desika can be seen on the prakarams. The temple Vagana Mandapam is very huge.
Sri Azhagiya Singar Temple - The Tiruvelukkai Divya Desam is one
among the 108 Divya desam. It is said to be the lord favourite place.The Moolavar
here is Azhagiyasingar or Mukunda Nayakar in a standing posture facing East, while
the Thaayaar here is Velukkaivalli or Amritavalli. This Temple has a three tiered
rajagopuram and a single prakaram. There are also shrines to Aandaal and the
Azhwars.
