Kanchipuram

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Location: Northern East coast of Tamilnadu, 70 kms from Chennai

Best Time: September to May

Distance from Chennai: 70 km

Attractions: Temples & Handloom industry

Kanchipuram is the sacred seat of the Shankaracharya and one of India's holiest sites. The town of thousand temples, it is situated on the Northern East coast of Tamilnadu. A historic town, during the ancient times it was also known as Kachi and Kachiampathi.

History & Religion

Kanchipuram owes its rich history to the glorious reign of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. It used to serve as the capital of the early Chola kings during the 2nd century BC and went on to become the Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries. The period from 14th to 17th century saw it being under the rule of Vijayanagar dynasty.

Apart from its royal past, the region is chiefly famous as a sacred pilgrim centers for the Hindus. It houses around 126 temples remaining in total with a few more in the outskirts. Several Lord Shiva’s abodes including Ekambaranatha Temple(earth), Sri Kalahasti (air), Chidambaram (Sky), Thiruvanaikoil (water) and Tiruvannamalai (fire) and Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kachapeshwarar Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kailasanathar Temple etc. grace the holy land.

Famous Silk Industry

Kanchipuram is also famous for its flourishing handloom industry. The Kanchipuram saree is regarded as uniquely exotic and vibrantly colorful ones, and the town has some of the most skilled silk weavers producing the masterpiece. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the Kanchipuram silk sarees are available in a variety of designs including vibrant colors and decorations with fine gold thread (zari). A highly popular garment all over the country, the town also hosts the world famous Silk Tourism Festival in the month of October each year.