9 Famous Temples of Kanchipuram - The City Of Temples

Kanchipuram is a city in Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the most sacred cities in southern India, and the second holiest after Varanasi. It is located on the banks of the Vegavati River and the Kaveri delta region. It is one of the oldest living cities in the world.

Kanchipuram, often known as "The City of Thousand Temples," is a major Hindu holy pilgrimage site. It has also been named "the city that never sleeps" because it has been said that there are at least 10,000 temples here that will never close no matter what time you visit them or how late it is at night.

It can be divided into two parts - one is a small town and the other is a temple town. The small town has a population of around 100,000 with an economy mainly based on temples and silk weaving. The temple town has a population of nearly 1 million people with an economy mainly based on tourism and trade.

The exquisite stone carvings, chariot processions, and shrines attract visitors from all over the world.

The 9 Must-Visit Temples In Kanchipuram

1. Ekambareswarar Temple

Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in the holy city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Since Ekambareswarar Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Kanchipuram, there are lots of beliefs and customs associated with it. One of them is that if you worship Ekambareswarar with all your heart and soul, it would be tantamount to worshipping all other gods and goddesses.

The temple has an equally great significance for the followers of Vaishnavaite culture and tradition as this place was home to Vishnu or Venkateshwara.

2. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is one of the most important temples in South India and it attracts visitors from across the world.

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, who is also called Umadevi, Shakti, or Durga.

The sanctum sanctorum contains a lingam that represents Lord Shiva in a state of deep meditation or yoga, with four beautifully carved pillars on each side of the shrine.

3. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is one of the five holiest Hindu temples in India.

The temple is located in Kanchipuram, on the banks of the Vaigai River. It is dedicated to Kamakshi, a form of the Hindu goddess Parvati or Shakti. The temple is one of the most important Shaivite temples in India and has been thought to be one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam in Thamizh Nadu.

The temple is made up of black stone and faces east, with a rectangular plan that measures 238 feet by 110 feet. It was initially constructed by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II (630-668 CE) but was later rebuilt by Vijayanagara kings in 1560 CE.

4. Varadaraja Perumal Temple

The Varadaraja Perumal temple is one of the most visited temples in Kanchipuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century. It is believed that this temple was once a powerful and important center of Vaishnavism and culture.

The temple is famous for its architectural style, which is a blend of Tamil and Dravidian architecture. Inside the temple, there are various sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata along with sculptures of other Hindu Gods such as Brahma, Ganesha, and Shiva.

5. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple

The Ulagalantha Perumal temple is one of the most prominent temples in the city of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and built over the site where the god appeared as a baby to his mother, Devaki. It was built by various Chola emperors over two centuries, beginning from the mid 10th century when this region became part of that empire when King Vijayalaya accepted Chola suzerainty and concluded in 1279 CE when the last Chola emperor Rajadhiraja III ended his rule leaving several unfinished projects in Kanchipuram.

6. Trilokyanatha Temple

The Trilokyanatha Temple in the Kanchipuram temples is an example of South Indian architecture.

The temple is built in the style of Hindu temples that are found in south India, with a central shrine surrounded by subsidiary shrines on four sides. The temple is built on two levels, with the lower level having a hall with 20 pillars and the upper level dedicated to Shiva.

It has been dated to the 11th century CE and was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana of Kalinga during his campaign against the Chola kingdom.

7. Chitragupta Swamy Temple

This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god of Yama, Lord Chitragupta. The temple was built by King Mahendravarman I during the Pallava dynasty. It was originally located on the banks of river Vaigai but it was moved to its present location in 725 AD. This temple is revered for its "Kalpavriksha" (Mulberry tree) which is said to be a divine tree that fulfills all wishes while standing like an umbrella over all living beings.

8. Sathyanatheswarar Temple

The Sathyanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in the city of Kanchipuram, India. The temple has an ancient Gopuram, which was built in the 17th century. The temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kanchipuram and is known for its architecture and sculpture. The temple has a particular significance as it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, an aspect of God that represents destruction and regeneration.

9. Ashtabujakaram Temple

Kanchipuram's Ashtabujakaram Temple is a well-known Vaishnavite shrine. The current structure of the temple is a mash-up of architectural styles influenced by the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara dynasties.
The temple pond within its walls, which is related to the mythological tale of Gajendra Moksha, is its most noteworthy feature. The most well-known event linked with the temple is the Vaikunta Ekadasi 10-day festival, which takes place in December and is an important festival for Vaishnavism devotees.