Kanchipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kanchipuram page 1

shimmer of silk. Jul Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Kanchipuram umbrella. When To Max: Min: 26.0°C Rain: 35.70000076 108.900001525878 Kanchipuram, also known as 293945°C 9mm Kanjeevaram or simply Kanchi, is VISIT Aug an alluring small town located in Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, the state of Tamil Nadu. Settled on umbrella. http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-kanchipuram-lp-1178563 Max: Min: 25.5°C Rain: the western river basin of the Palar 34.79999923 136.600006103515 706055°C 62mm river the city offers stunning scenic Famous For : City Jan beauty. The city is home to a Sep Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. number of sacred Hindu temples Considered as one of the most pious places Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Max: Min: Rain: umbrella. among the seven sacred cities in India, 29.79999923 20.70000076 20.7999992370605 and is often referred to as 7060547°C 2939453°C 47mm Max: 34.5°C Min: Rain: Kanchipuram boasts of many beautiful 25.20000076 134.300003051757 "City of Temples". 2939453°C 8mm temples that attract pilgrims to the place all Feb Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. through the year. The intricate architecture Oct Max: Min: Rain: 15.0mm of the temples represent the rich culture 31.70000076 21.70000076 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. and fine arts of south India. The charming 2939453°C 2939453°C Max: 32.0°C Min: Rain: 336.5mm natural beauty blended with the religious Mar 24.29999923 7060547°C allure makes the city a sought after Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. destinations for travelers. Kanchipuram is Max: Min: Rain: Nov 33.90000152 23.60000038 23.2999992370605 famed as the weaving center for the 5878906°C 1469727°C 47mm Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. premium 'Kanjeevaram silk'. Apr Max: Min: Rain: 374.0mm 30.10000038 22.89999961 Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. 1469727°C 8530273°C Kanchi’s temples showcase some of the best Max: Min: 26.0°C Rain: in Dravidian architecture, an amalgam of 35.70000076 23.7999992370605 Dec 293945°C 47mm styles introduced by the city’s many rulers Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. over the centuries — the Pallavas, Cholas, May Hot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella. Max: Min: Rain: 152.5mm Vijayanagara kings and Nayaks. In between, 29.20000076 21.29999923 Max: Min: Rain: 53.0mm 2939453°C 7060547°C the city also had to reckon with many 38.09999847 27.39999961 invasions, when some of the stunning 4121094°C 8530273°C temples were used as garrisons. It was the Jun What To This Pdf and its contents are copyright © 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the British who introduced sericulture to Hot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella. character and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of Kanchipuram’s weaving community. The Max: Min: Rain: ixigo.com and/or third parties. 37.20000076 26.89999961 87.3000030517578 legendary Kanchivaram saris have since 293945°C 8530273°C 1mm SEE kept the city’s name glowing like the 5 Sights Kanchipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kanchipuram page 2

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-kanchipuram-lp- various postures. Called the Stone temple of Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram 1178563 Thirumagaral Shiva Temple, Magaral Kachipettu, Kachipettu Periya Thirukatrali, (sky), Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara Temple village, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, 1 Kailasnath temple by Rajaraja Chola, Kailasnath temple is in Trichy (water), Sri Kalahasti Temple in 631501, India believed to be the architectural inspiration Kalahasti (wind)and Thiruvannamalai behind Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur. Arunachaleswara Temple in Thiruvannamalai (fire). Glorious and ancient to its very core steeped It was built by the Pallavas, remodelled by in mythology, Thirumarugal was built by the Cholas and subsequently elaborated on King Rajendra Chola. Dating back to the by King Krishnadevaraya who led seventh century, it is believed to be one of Vijayanagara empire to its glory. The the oldest Shiva temples in India. Since its Magnificent and stately without being Aayiram Kaal Mandapa or Hall of the foundation, the temple has been overlain imperious, Kailasnath temple is Thousand pillars, is one of the highlights of with numerous legends and folklore, all Kanchipuram's crowing glory in its hallmark the temple. The walls of the temple are testament to the belief in its holiness and understated elegance. decorated with 1008 Shiva Lingam. The sanctity. Its layout is in the traditional inner sanctum contains a lingam along with temple architectural plan typical to the Kanchipuram Village, Tamil Nadu 2 Ekambareswarar Temple an image of Lord Shiva. Adorning the main temples of Kanchipuram and Shiva 631501, India temple’s back is a Somaskanda iconography Sthalams. While the presiding deity of Thirumarugal is Lord Shiva, he is in his self- that represents Lord Shiva with Goddess manifested, swayambu, avatar at the Oldest temple in the ancient town of Uma and Lord Skanda in the child form temple. Also enshrined is Lord Murugan Kanchipuram, Kailasnath temple is an between them. with an elephant as his vahan incredible architectural splendour built by (vehicle). the same Pallava king who built As you walk into the sprawling temple complex you will come across 5 courtyards, Mamallapuram's Shore Temple, 4 Vaikunta Perumal Temple Narasimhavarman II, in 8th century CE. With also called prakarams and the sacred its compounds made of sandstone, the temple tank called Kampai Tirthai. There are entire temple is a maze of incredible separate shrines dedicate to Lord Vishnu carvings of mythological creatures like Yali and Ganesha.  Stala Vruksham  and has distinct influences of early - a holy mango tree stands right next to the Dravidian architectural pattern. Car St, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu main shrine. It is said to bear 4 different 631502, India types of mangoes on its 4 different branches. Ekambareswarar temple is the largest

temple in Kanchipuram - the town of 3 Thirumarugal thousand temples. Ekambareswarar literally translates to ‘Lord of mango tree’. It is one Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple's walls of the Panchabhoota sthala Shiva Temples, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu are replete with panels showing Nataraja, representing Earth. The other four are: the Lord of Dance and an avatar of Shiva, in Kanchipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kanchipuram page 3

as the Vijayanagara and Chola empires. 631501, India Arulmigu Devaraja Swamy Temple, Three precincts or prakaram’s encircle the Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu 631501, main sanctum. On a small hillock inside the With its hallmark Pallavan architectural India Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one of the grandeur, this temple has in fact been the temple complex is where the shrine of Lord 108 Divya Desams (108 Vishnu temples that inspiration behind the creation of other, Varadaraja is situated. Called as Hasthagiri find reference in the literary works of Tamil much larger, temples all across Tamil Nadu. One of the crowning glories of Vishnu the shrine’s ceilings are a chock full of saints, Azhvars), Vaikunta Perumal temple is As you walk into the complex you will be Kanchi, part of Kanchipuram that is home to carvings from the Vijayanagara empire’s also known as Thiru Parameswara faced with what seems to be one towering a number of Vishnu temples, Varadaraja times. The sanctum’s roof is plated with gold Vinnagaram. Created out of King sanctum sanctorum when it is actually three Perumal temple is yet another one of the and full of unique carvings of its own, Nandivarman’s (the 2nd) devotion and separate shrines seated one on top of the 108 Divya Desams (108 Vishnu temples that especially those of lizards. Atop the hillock is religious zeal, Vaikunta Perumal temple has other. The one on the ground floor contains find reference in the literary works of Tamil another shrine dedicated to Lord been standing here since the 8th century. the idol of Lord Vishnu is a seated position saints, Azhvars) that Kanchipuram is replete Narasimha, the origin of which has never Heart of Sri Thirumangai Alvar’s, last of the while the one on the first floor has Vishnu in with. While there is uncertainty regarding its been determined. 12 Azhvars, mangalasasanam (hymns sung a reclining position accessible only on origins with one line of school tracing it back The second precinct has four shrines while for Divya Desams), Vaikunta Perumal temple ekadasi days. to Pallava king Nandivarman II and the other the third one enshrines Goddess Perundevi is replete with inscribed panels that tell the The top floor sanctum sanctorum has Lord to Chola kings in 1053, there is no doubt Thayar. It is traditionally customary to pay tale of King Nandivarman’s ascension to his Vishnu in a standing position and is usually that the original structure has been your respects first to Goddess Perundevi throne. inaccessible to devotees. There are elaborated upon over the years by the kings Thayar before heading over to Lord passages set around all the three sanctum and dynasties that followed later. Perumal’s shrine.  Be sure to visit the sanctorum that lends themselves to Sprawling over a large complex with 32 100 pillared mandapam. The pillars and the circumambulation. Peer closely at the shrines, halls or mandapams with 350-400 mandapam is carved with scenes and temple walls and nooks and corners, you pillars, 19 vimanas and water tanks, characters from both the INdian epic sagas; will spot faded and slightly disintegrated Varadaraja Perumal temple is a fine Mahabharata and Ramayana. sculptures and murals of Lord Vishnu. example of Vishwakarma Sthapathi’s Fascinatingly, a wooden idol of Lord architectural genius. The stupendous 7 Varadaraja encased within a silver box is 5 Varadaraja Perumal Temple tiered, 130 feet tall rajagopuram opens out submerged within the temple’s water tank to the main sanctum sanctorum and is or Pushkarini and is taken out once every 40 actually, contrary to temple architectural years.  tradition, smaller than the gopuram on the eastern side of the temple complex. What makes Varadaraja Perumal temple a Where To unique sacrosanct site apart from its obvious religious significance is its evocative Eat layout, opening the door to the now 5 Places shadowy and ancient world of ancient http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-kanchipuram-lp-1178563 spirits, mythical stories and creatures as well Kanchipuram Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kanchipuram page 4

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See A: Kailasnath temple B: Ekambareswarar Temple C: Thirumarugal D: Vaikunta Perumal Temple E: Varadaraja Perumal Temple Accommodation F: OYO 10017 Rb Grand Residency G: Seashore Garden Beach Resort H: Hotel Mamalla Heritage Mamallapuram I: OYO 10017 Rb Grand Residency J: Seashore Garden Beach Resort K: Hotel Mamalla Heritage Mamallapuram L: OYO 10017 Rb Grand Residency M: Seashore Garden Beach Resort N: Hotel Mamalla Heritage Mamallapuram Food O: Saravana Lunch Home P: Cafe Coffee Day Q: Royal Inn R: Adyar Ananda Bhavan S: Sri Rama Lodge