If you ever wished to visit a city with only temples and temples around, you should travel to Kanchipuram. Known as the 'city of thousand temples' Kanchipuram located about 70 kms from Chennai, is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
The history of Kanchipuram is intertwined with the glorious reign of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar.The city is also famous as an ancient center of Tamil learning and culture. Shankaracharya or Adi Shankara established his Episcopal seat here called Kamakotipeetam. The temples are undoubtedly the foremost tourist attractions in Kanchipuram.The Kamakshi Amman Temple, the Kailashanathar Temple, the Ekambareshwar, the Kumara Kottam Temple, the Varadaraja Temple and the Ullahalanda Temple are the famous temples in Kanchipuram.
If you are a nature enthusiast then you should make an excursion from Kanchipuram to Vedanthangal, about 60 kms from Kanchipuram, which is a haven for migratory birds especially from November to February. For trekking, hiking or for picnics Elagiri Hills in the Eastern Ghats will be a good option.
Kanchipuram, the temple town near Chennai is a popular tourist destination. It is quite accessible by air, rail and road.
By Air
The airport nearest to Kanchipuram is Chennai from where international and domestic flights operate.
By Rail
Kanchipuram is connected by rail to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati and Bangalore.
By Road
Kanchipuram is well connected by roads to Chennai and other important cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. For local transport cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are available.
Kanchipuram is synonymous with silks and silks! The Kanjeevaram saris of Kanchipuram are the finest and the most beautiful in the world. In India they are usually passed on as heirloom from mother to daughter.
Kanchipuram has a history of weaving dating back to about 400 years with silk weavers settling in this temple town. Even today there are more than 500 families engaged in the exquisite art of weaving silk. Kanchipuram silks are woven from silk worms bred purely on mulberry. Kanchipuram silks saris are woven using a dazzling array of colorful threads and fine golden thread or zari into alluring patterns depicting traditional temple motifs.
Shopping in Kanchipuram for silk saris and fabrics can be done at handloom co-operatives who run their retail outlets. Besides silks, you can buy artifacts like fruit baskets, candle stands, and jewelry boxes and idols of gods and goddesses. These made of stone, bronze, brass, copper and jute make good gifts and souvenirs to carry home from Kanchipuram.
