Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi, is an ancient city in south India and is the famous sari hub of the country. The Kanchipuram is just 83 kilometers from Chennai. Apart from the silk weavers, the temple town is considered one of the holiest destinations in India. If you want to target a single stop to see temples that is relevant for both Shiva and Vishnu followers, then the right spot would be Kanchipuram.

Kailasanatha Temple:

Kailasanathar temple is one of the Kanchipuram’s oldest temple is it is most impressive, not only for its size but also for its weight of historical presence and the intricacy of its stonework.  It is a Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style dedicated to th Lord Shiva. The temple was built from 685-705AD by Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II) ruler of the Pallava Dynasty. The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. The main shrine has a 16 sided Shiva Linga in black granite stone deified in the sanctum sanctorum. Within the walls of the main shrine, there is Padabhanda Adhisthana (main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted Nandi, a little distance away giving guard to the deity.

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing time):

6:00 AM to 12:00 PM

4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Aarti takes place twice each day, once during the morning hours, and later in the evening.

Temple Poojas:

Special poojas are conducted on pradosham days, Full Moon days and on Mahashivrathri.

Temple Contact Number:

Ph.No  : +91-44-27442232

                +91- 44- 2747 2235

Mobile :  98403 64782

Kamakshi Amman Temple:

This imposing temple, dedicated to Kamakshi/Parvati, is one of India’s most important places of Shakti Peeta (female energy/deities) and is said to mark the spot where Parvati’s midriff (stomach or abdomen part) fell to earth. The Temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram. The Image of the main Deity, Kamakshi, is seated in a majestic Padmasana, a yogic posture signifying peace and prosperity, instead of the traditional standing pose. Goddess holds a sugarcane bow and bunch of five flowers in the lower two of her arms and has a pasha (Lasso), an ankusha (goad) in her upper two arms. There is also a parrot perched near the flower bunch. There are no other Parvati temples in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this temple, which is unusual in a traditional city that has hundreds of traditional temples. Adi Shankaracharya, the famous 8th-century scholar, and saint re-established the Sri Chakra in this Kamakshi Devi temple in the trough-like structure in that shrine.

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing time):

On all the days,

5.30 AM to 12:00 PM

3:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Temple Poojas:

Abhishekam (Daily 3 times)    – Morning 5.30 AM, Morning 10.30 AM,  Evening 4 PM

Chandana Kappu Alankara     – Evening 4.30 PM on all Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Nava varna Pooja                      –  9.30 PM on all Pournami days (Full Moon Day) of each Month. This pooja will be conducted by 10.30 AM during Navrathri Days.

Sahasranama Archanai           – Morning 9.00 AM – 10 AM, Evening 7.00 PM – 8.00 PM

Ashtothira Archana                 – Morning 7.00 AM – 12 Noon, Evening 6.00 PM – 8.00 PM

Swarna Ratha (Golden Chariot) – Tamil New Year, Amavasya (New Moon Day), Pournami (Full Moon Day), Poora  Nakshathira Day.

Temple Contact Number:

Ph.No  : 044 2723 3433

                044 2722 1214.

Mobile : Kannan – +91 – 96262 72525.

 Sankar Anand – +91 – 95858 89650.

Ekambareshwarar Temple :

Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the town of Kanchipuram. It is one of the significant temples for the Hindu sects, Shaivites since this temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas and specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi. Lord Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar and is represented by the Lingam which is referred to as Prithvi Lingam. His consort Goddess Parvathi is depicted as Gowridevi Amman. According to legend, the goddess Kamakshi (She Whose Eyes Awaken Desire; a form of Parvati, Shiva’s consort) worshipped Lord Shiva under a mango tree here, before the two were married on the same spot. In a courtyard behind the inner sanctum stands a mango tree said to be 2500 years old, with four branches representing the four Vedas (sacred Hindu texts).

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing time):

6:00 AM to 12:30 PM

4:00 PM to 8.30 PM

The Aarti takes place twice each day, once during the morning hours, and later in the evening.

Temple Poojas:

Special poojas are conducted on pradosham days, Full Moon days and on Mahashivrathri.

Temple Contact Number:

Ph.No  : +91-44-27442232

                +91- 44- 2747 2235

Mobile :     98403 64782

Varadharaja Perumal temple:

Varadharaja Perumal Temple or Hastagiri or Attiyuran is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram. This is an enormous 11th-century Chola-built temple and is one of the 108 Divya Desams. The main God is Lord Vishnu and He graces the devotees as a 40 feet long idol in the reclining position. The main idol is made up of Athi Wood and He known by the name Athi Vardharaja Perumal.

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing time):

6.00 AM to 12:30 PM

3.30 PM to 8.30 PM

Temple Poojas:

Temple Contact Number:

Ph.No  :  044 2726 9773

                94439 90773

Ulagalandha Perumal temple:

Ulagalandha Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the city of Kancheepuram. The temple was constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th – 9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi is worshipped as Amudavalli. Lord blesses the devotees in a standing form with his right leg pressed on the ground with the left upward and He is also called as Trivikraman. The two left-hand fingers of Lord are seen stretched out, which indicates that he took two steps to measure the world. And one finger of his right hand refers to the question that Lord posted to the demon king, where he could place his third step.

Temple Timings (Opening and Closing time):

7.00 AM to 12:00 PM

4.00 PM to 8.00 PM

Temple Poojas:

Temple Contact Number:

Ph.No  :  +91 – 94435 97107

               +91 – 98943 88729

               +91 – 94439 03450

               +91 – 94425 53820

               +91 – 97874 14773

Above all, the city of Kanchipuram is famous for its traditional silk sarees. The major attraction of this sari is the weaving style and beautiful broad border. These sarees are exported all over the world. And so don’t miss out to do some local shopping when you are there in the city. 🙂