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Kanchipuram is a city with many ancient, famous and sacred temples in India. Kanchipuram has about 1,000 temples worshiping gods of different religions, mainly Hinduism. Below are the ancient and sacred temples in Kanchipuram that you must visit when coming to this city.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambareswarar is one of the five main temples dedicated to Lord Shiva – the Hindu god. The temple covers an area of over 10 hectares and is the largest place of worship in the city. Ekambareswarar Temple was built in the 6th century under the Pallava dynasty – a South Indian dynasty and underwent many major changes under the rule of Tanjore Nayaks. During this period, people built a gopuram – a large tower 59 m high and also one of the tallest towers here. Besides worshiping, Ekambareswarar Temple is also the place to hold the most important religious festival in Kanchipuram. Specifically, Panguni Brahmotsavam festival takes place from March to April every year, lasting for 10 days.
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
If Ekambareswara is the largest temple in Kanchipuram, Kailasanathar is the oldest temple in this city dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is also one of the first works of Pallava architecture. The main shrine of the temple is placed with a unique symbol representing Lord Shiva - Shivalinga with 16 faces carved in black granite. In the side temples, there are countless pillars and columns decorated with sculptures of gods. Visitors coming here not only have the opportunity to visit the sacred ancient temple but also have the opportunity to admire the unique architecture of Pallava.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kamakshi Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Kamakshi – the final form of Goddess Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari. Kamakshi Amman Temple is architecturally associated with the religious heritage of Kanchipuram. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallava kings. The history of the temple is rich with myths and legends associated with Goddess Kamakshi. Every year, between February and March, the place hosts a grand Chariot Festival with ancient customs and activities that attract a large number of people as well as tourists.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
The Varadharaja Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This popular shrine in Kanchipuram is also a haven for Vaishnavists. Perumal is one of the 108 temples mentioned in the works of Alvars – Divya Desams. The temple is notable for its over 300 inscriptions, most of which relate to the dynasties of South India. The “Hall of 100 Pillars” with its many sculptures depicting Hindu deities is also a highlight of this temple.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
This relatively small temple takes its name from Vamana – the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Like Varadharaja Perumal, this temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams. The temple has traditional Dravidian architectural style and is mentioned in famous Tamil literature. Every year, many festivals are held here that attract a lot of people. One of the famous festivals is Brahmotsavam.
Sathyanatheswarar Temple
This temple was built in the 7th century. It is the smallest of the main temples in Kanchipuram, measuring just 2,290 square meters. However, it is of historical and religious importance. It is dedicated to Sathyanatheswarar, another incarnation of Lord Shiva. The main gopuram of the temple is built in three floors, and the temple has a linga (the worship symbol of Lord Shiva) made of granite. The Sathyanatheswarar Temple is also one of the 275 important Shiva temples mentioned in Tamil Shaivite.
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