KANCHIPURAM | MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE | PLACES TO VISIT & TEMPLES IN KANCHIPURAM
Heritage | 
Pilgrimage
About Kanchipuram
#12 of 27 Places to visit in Tamilnadu | #31 of 100 Places to visit in India
Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days
Nearest City to Kanchipuram: Chennai (70 Kms)
Best Time to Visit Kanchipuram: July to August & November to March
Peak Season: July to August & May to June
At a distance of 68 km from Vellore, 65 km from Mahabalipuram, 75 km from Chennai, 108 km from Tirupati & 127 km from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram or Kanchi is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district. It is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Chennai and among the major places to visit in Tamilnadu.
Kanchipuram is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram has a rich history and it's one of the oldest cities in India. The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their grandeur and great architecture. The architecture of Kanchi monuments was trendsetting with great sculpture work and unique style and became a benchmark for South Indian architecture. This is another popular attraction to visit as part of Chennai tour packages.
The city served as the capital of the Pallava Dynasty, and most of the known temples were built during their reign. From the 3rd to the 9th century CE, Kanchi was the capital of the Pallavas who ruled over the territory extending from the river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh to the river Kaveri in the south. The Pallavas fortified the city with ramparts, moats, etc., with wide and well laid out roads and fine temples. They were a great maritime power with contacts with far-off China, Siam, Fiji, etc., through their chief Port Mamallapuram, the modern Mahabalipuram. The Cholas ruled this town from the 10th century to the 13th century after the fall of Pallavas. Kanchi came under the control of the Vijayanagara kingdom from the 14th century to the 17th century and was controlled by the British from the end of the 18th century.
Located on the banks of the Palar River, Kanchi is well-known for its temples and silk sarees which are woven manually. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Karchapeshwarar Temple, and Ekambaranatha Temple are the top places to visit in Kanchi as part of Kanchi Tour Packages. Ekambaranatha Temple is one of the five forms of abodes of Lord Siva, (it is the earth abode here, other abodes include Chidambaram (Sky), Sri Kalahasti (air), Thiruvanaikoil (water), and Tiruvannamalai (fire)).
The festivals that are celebrated with much show and gaiety are Brahmothsavam (January), Garudothsavam (April), and the Chariot festival (May). Pongal during January is an important festival which is celebrated with pomp and delicious feast and religious prayers and processions. Maha Shivaratri during February-March is another important festival celebrated in Kanchipuram with great devotion and enthusiasm.
About 61 km from Kanchi, Chennai Airport is the nearest airport that has regular flight connectivity with almost all the major cities in India, as well as abroad. Kanchi is well-connected by trains with Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Tirupati, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli. There are frequent buses to Kanchipuram from Chennai, Vellore, Tirupati, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, etc.
October to March is the best time to visit Kanchipuram when the weather is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. During the rest of the year, it is mostly humid and hot apart from the monsoons where the town experiences heavy rainfall.
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
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