Kanchipuram
One of South India's seven sacred cities and the 'City of a Thousand Temples,' with towering gateway temples from the Pallava and Chola dynasties, and the source of prized Kanchipuram silk saris.
Kanchipuram lies in northern Tamil Nadu, about 75 km from Chennai. It is the only one of the seven Hindu holy cities (Moksha-puri) sacred to both Shaivism and Vaishnavism, and is known as the 'City of a Thousand Temples.' It was once the capital of the Pallava dynasty (4th–9th centuries), and later passed through the Chola and Vijayanagara dynasties, leaving a complete sequence of South Indian temple architecture, from early sandstone structures to towering gateways. Traditionally the town is divided into 'Shiva Kanchi' in the northwest, around the Ekambareswarar, Kailasanathar and Kamakshi temples, and 'Vishnu Kanchi' in the southeast, home to the Varadaraja Perumal Temple. To the west are Jain remains, anciently known as 'Jain Kanchi.' Must-sees are two 8th-century Pallava masterpieces, the Kailasanathar Temple and the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, along with the Ekambareswarar Temple, whose gateway tower rises nearly 60 m, and the Kamakshi Temple dedicated to the goddess. Kanchipuram is also India's most famous silk sari town, with weaving houses and silk shops throughout.
The best season is November–February. April–June can reach 40°C, and October–December brings heavier rain from the northeast monsoon. It takes about 2 hours by train or bus from Chennai. The sights are scattered around town, so hire a tuk-tuk for a half to full day. Most visitors come on a day trip from Chennai or Mahabalipuram, but staying overnight lets you catch the temples' morning and evening rituals. Temples generally close from 12:00 to 16:00. You must remove your shoes to enter, the ground can be scorching in midday sun, and dress must cover shoulders and knees. Some inner sanctums are open only to Hindus, and photography is prohibited inside most shrines.
Top sights
- Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram – Kanchipuram's oldest stone temple, an 8th-century masterpiece of the Pallava dynasty, with 58 small shrines in its cloister.
- Varadharaja Perumal Temple – Kanchipuram's largest Vishnu temple, known for its finely carved Hundred-Pillar Hall and stone chains hanging from the eaves.
- Kamakshi Amman Temple – A goddess temple in central Kanchipuram dedicated to Kamakshi, an incarnation of Parvati, and an important Shakta pilgrimage site.
- Ekambareswarar Temple – The largest Shiva temple in Kanchipuram, with a south gateway tower about 59 m tall. The grounds hold a mango tree said to be 3,500 years o…
- Vaikunta Perumal Temple – An 8th-century Pallava Vishnu temple whose three-tiered sanctum and cloister reliefs record the dynasty's history, an early masterpiece of…
- Ulagalantha Perumal Temple – Home to a roughly 11 m image of Vishnu's three-step cosmic stride, one of the 108 Vishnu shrines, right beside Kamakshi Amman Temple.
- Kumarakottam Temple – An ancient temple dedicated to Murugan (Skanda), son of Shiva, located between the Ekambareswarar and Kamakshi Amman temples.
- Kachapeswarar Temple – A large Shiva temple in the city center. Legend says Vishnu, in the form of a giant tortoise, worshipped Shiva here, and the temple has a t…
- Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple – Enshrines a giant seated image of Krishna as envoy of the Pandavas, about 7.5 m tall, and is one of the 108 Vishnu shrines.
- Ashtabujakaram Temple – A Vishnu shrine dedicated to the eight-armed Vishnu, one of the 108 sacred Vishnu sites, located in the southeast of the city and can be vi…
- Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham – A Hindu monastery traditionally said to have been founded by Shankara, whose successive heads are revered as religious leaders, and an impo…
- Chitragupta Temple – A rare temple dedicated to Chitragupta, the scribe of Yama, the lord of death, where worshippers come to seek relief from karmic burdens. I…
- Thiruparuthikundram Jain Temple (Jaina Kanchi) – An ancient Jain temple on the western outskirts of the city, with 14th–16th-century painted ceiling murals showing Kanchipuram's history as…
- Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Workshops – Watch hand looms weave gold-thread silk saris, then shop along Gandhi Road for the Kanchipuram saris renowned across India.
- Kanchi Kudil – A well-preserved century-old Tamil traditional house displaying old furniture, utensils and scenes of daily life, helping visitors understa…
Where to eat
- Hotel Sakthi Ganapathy – An affordable vegetarian eatery in Kanchipuram that opens early; banana-leaf meals and temple-style rice cakes appeal t…
- Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) – A homegrown Tamil Nadu vegetarian brand; its branch opposite the main bus stand is reliable for temple-style idli, Sout…
- Saravana Bhavan Hotel – A branch of the famous South Indian vegetarian chain beside the bus stand, with a full range of dosas, thalis and break…
Itineraries
- Tamil Nadu Temple Trail – Travel south from Chennai to Madurai, exploring Pallava rock carvings, Great Living Chola Temples, and the sacred Pamba…
- Chennai, Kanchipuram & Pondicherry – Loop from Chennai to see Kanchipuram, the Shore Temple, Auroville, and the French Quarter.