Land Of
Thousand Temples
Kanchipuram
is a small, rural town about 75-km from Chennai in the state of Tamil
Nadu. With the Sankara Mutt acting as the hub of Hindu activities and
the temples, Kanchipuram is one of the most highly visited pilgrimage
spots in India , and can rightfully be called the "Religious
Capital of South India".
Kanchipuram was
under the Pallavas from the 6th to 8th century AD and later became the
citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British.
It has been a center of Tamil learning, cultural and religious
background for centuries. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of
unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious
Dravidian heritage.
All the
religious cities in India support one of the two sects in Hinduism -
Vaishnavism and Shaivism, but Kanchipuram has blended itself equally
to both the sects, dividing itself into Vishnu Kanchi, surrounding the
Varadaraja Temple, and Shiva Kanchi, surrounding the Ekambareshwar
(also spelt as Ekambareshwa) Temple, while the Kamakshi Amman Temple
stands in between as a place of Shakti worship.
Kamakshi
Amman Temple
India has three
main cities where the Goddess Shakti is worshipped. Kanchipuram holds
the most important rank among the three. In the same order, the three
places are Kanchipuram, where the Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped,
Madurai, where the Goddess Meenakshi is worshipped, and Kashi, where
the deity is 'Visaalakshi'.
The Kamakshi
Amman temple is the hub of all religious activities in Kanchipuram.
The temple is also in closer control of the Shankara Mutt, unlike the
other temples, which are governed either by the Department of
Archeology, Government of India, or the Hindu Temples Department of
the Tamil Nadu Government. The kings of the Chola Empire built the
temple in 14th century AD.
The main tower
over the sanctum (Vimanam) of the temple is gold plated. Also of
significance is the Golden Chariot in this temple. The Golden Chariot
is taken in a procession around the temple on Friday evenings around
7.00 p.m. This temple also features an Art Gallery with pictures
depicting the history of Sri Adishankaracharya and the Shankara Mutt.
Kailashanathar
Temple
Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, Kailashanathar (also spelt as Kailashnatha) is one of the
earliest temples built by the Pallava ruler Rajasimha Pallava and was
completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava in the 8th century AD. It
is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of
Pallava architecture in South India . The temple is situated among
several low-roofed houses just over 1-km west of the town center.
Of all the
temples in India, no other edifice has been so elaborately filled with
all the 64 aspects of Lord Shiva. The temple is unique in its
architecture and is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a
holy place. Hence, it is never crowded with locals. But, once in a
year during Shivaratri festival large crowds visit the temple and
there could be hours of waiting in long queues.
Ekambareshwar
Temple
Ekambareshwar
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the largest temples in
Kanchipuram, spreading over an area of 12.14 hectares. This ancient
temple is surrounded by a huge stonewall built in the early 16th
century during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Ekambareshwar
temple is of hoary antiquity, beginning as a small fane, it has grown
over the centuries into a large one with innumerable shrines,
Mandapams, Gopurams and Tanks. It is considered to be one of the most
ancient temples in India and has been in existence even prior to 600
AD. It enshrines many traditions.
Kumara
Kottam
Kumara Kottam
is located in between the Kamakshi and Ekambareshwar temples in the
Somaskanda formation in the town of Kanchipuram. It is a well-visited
temple with two Prakarams and a complete pantheon of Parivara Devatas
enshrined in their respective shrines.
In the sanctum,
Muruga is in a seated pose. Valli, Deivayani are absent here, but
their festival idols are kept here. In accordance with the function of
Creation he has assumed, his right arm is in Abaya pose, the upper
hand holds the rosary, and the lower left arm is on the thigh in
Katyavailambita pose with the left arm holding the Kamandalam. The
posture is also called "Brahma Chattam".
Here only honey
is used for ablutions. When one comes out after worshipping the main
deity, one can see the festival idols. In the front part of the temple
in the mirror room one can see the marble figure of Ramalinga Swamigal.
Varadaraja
Temple
The Varadaraja
temple is one of the important shrines of Sri Vaishnavites, also known
as "Hastigiri" and is one of the celebrated Vaishnava Divya
Desams, located in Vishnu Kanchi or "the Little Kanchi".
Originally it was known as "Attiyuran". The main deity here
is Varadaraja Perumal in a standing posture facing west and the Lord
here is also known as "Devaraja", "Pranatharthihara",
"Deva Perumal", "Athiyooran" and "Perarulalan".
Varadaraja
temple with superb art has a magnificent history, which is associated
with Sri Ramanuja, who used to serve here. Many miracles are said to
have occurred. It was with his ministry that the temple, then already
several centuries old, began to gain fame.
Ulahalanda
Perumal Temple
Ulahalanda
Perumal temple, situated about half a kilometre from the centre of the
town near Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the oldest temples in
Kanchipuram. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal in this temple represents
the "Vamana Roopam", an incarnation of Lord Vishnu taken to
save the Devas from the Demon king Mahabali. The deity Ulahalanda
Perumal is depicted by a huge image of about 35 feet high.
Festivals
Celebrated In Kanchipuram
Some of the
important festivals celebrated in Kanchipuram are the Brahmotsavam -Varadaraja
temple in May; Garuda Sevai- Varadaraja temple in June; Float festival
-Varadaraja temple in February and November; Kamakshi Ammam Festival -
February; Mahashivaratri festival - Kailashanatha temple in February;
Panguni Uthiram -Ekambareshwara temple in March-April.
HOW TO GET
THERE
Air: Chennai is
the nearest airport to Kanchipuram.
Rail: Trains
for Kanchipuram are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati,
and Bangalore.
Road:
Kanchipuram is 75-km away from Chennai and is well connected by a
network of roads. There are frequent buses from the city to Chennai,
Bangalore and other places. For local transportation bicycles can be
hired from the shops near the bus stand. Cycle Rickshaws and auto
rickshaws are also available on hire to move in and around the city.
WHERE TO
STAY
Accommodation
is available at the moderate class hotels, lodges and choultries in
Kanchipuram.
