About Kanchipuram Temples

The holy land of Kanchipuram is an abode of pilgrimages. This not-so-small town in Tamil Nadu is spread over 36.14 km^2 of land and is famously known as the city of ‘thousand temples.’ The city has a rich history in respect of great rulers and the spiritual significance it holds. Kanchipuram Temples are among the most important temples in TamilNadu, famous for their architectural grandeur, excellent carvings, detailed sculptures, and wall paintings.

Top Kanchipuram Temples

If you plan your upcoming trip to Tamil Nadu, these Kanchipuram temples need to be on your list.

#1 Kachapeswaran Temple

(Image Credit: kancheepuram)

Lord Vishnu, who reincarnated as a tortoise, is seen worshiping Lord Shiva at the Kachapeshwarar Temple. The engravings and sculptures decorate this lovely temple from top to bottom and show this image. The idea of a temple solely devoted to one Hindu god—in this example, Lord Shiva—and then depicting another god bowing down to that being makes this temple incredibly unusual. The temple’s magnificent interiors are almost as remarkable as its appearance.

#2 Ekambaranathar Temple

(Image Credit: Kancheepuram)

The largest temple in Kanchipuram is the Ekambaranathar Temple. It extends over a vast 20-acre area. This temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, was constructed by the Pallavas and afterward restored by the Chola and Raya dynasties. The temple boasts one of its outstanding features: 1,000 lingas carved from a single stone. The temple also contains a thousand halls with pillars. There is a mango tree outside the Ekambaranathar Temple, about 3500 years old.

#3 The Devarajaswami Temple

(Image Credit: divyadesamtemple)

The Vijayanagar rulers ordered the construction of the Devarajaswami Temple. Lord Vishnu, a Hindu deity, is the object’s patron. The temple’s interior features etched pillars with ornaments. The temple built a wedding hall to celebrate the union of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. They also placed an enormous statue of Lord Vishnu inside a water tank. The statue, which stands 10 meters high, becomes visible when the tank is drained and stays visible for 48 days before submerging again. The priests empty the water tank every 40 years.

#4 Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple

(Image Credit: Kancheepuram)

The town of Kanchipuram is home to the Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, a place of worship for Lord Vijayaraghava Perumal. This magnificent shrine is the 57th of 108 Divya Desams, or temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. The Pandya kings constructed the temple in the 13th century. Inscriptions on its walls reveal the era of its construction. The temple’s design reflects Kanchipuram’s traditional temple architecture. Women who want to have children make up most pilgrims who come to the revered shrine.

#5 Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

(Image Credit: Tamil Nadu Temples)

The building most closely connected with Kanchipuram’s religious legacy is Kamakshi Amman Temple, the central place of worship for the prominent Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. The Pallava kings have a belief to have erected the initial tower of the temple, although the construction specifics are unknown. Stories and traditions fill the temple’s history, many of which connect to Adi Shankara, the patron saint of the Kamakoti Mutt. The temple celebrates the yearly chariot festival with considerable fanfare in the Tamil month of Masi (between February and March).

#6 Sathyanath Eshwar Temple

(Image Credit: Tamil Nadu Temples)

Even though it only has a surface area of 2290 square meters, this shrine from the seventh century is the most important historical and religious site in Kanchipuram. It is devoted to Sathyanatheswarar, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, and is Shaiva in nature. The temple’s three-tiered main gopuram houses a granite lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. Aside from that, Sathyanatheswarar Temple is one of the 275 significant Shiva temples described in the Tamil Shaivite literature.

#7 Ashtabujakaram Temple

(Image Credit: Tamil Nadu Temples)

In Kanchipuram, there is a well-known Vaishnavite temple called the Ashtabujakaram Temple. The contemporary design of the temple combines architectural elements from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagar Dynasties. The temple pond inside its walls connects with the mythical story of Gajendra Moksha, which is its most notable feature. The 10-day Vaikunta Ekadasi celebration, which takes place in December and symbolizes a significant festival for Vaishnavites, is the most well-known occasion connected with the temple.

Conclusion

Kanchipuram is all about serenity and divinity. It is the home of some of the most captivating temples in India, and tourists from around the World will flock here for a holy trip. If you love to visit temples, Kanchipuram will give you one of the best experiences. The best time to visit/pooja timings at each temple is in detail in this blog. Make sure you plan your trip and visit this holiest city on Earth.

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