Kanchipuram is a famous temple town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It served as the capital of the Pallava kingdom. This city of thousand temples is situated on the banks of river Vegvati.
Kanchipuram is considered one of the seven holiest cities for Hindus in India. Among the major Hindu temples in Kanchipuram are some of the most prominent Vishnu temples and Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Here we have mentioned some of the major temples of Kanchipuram.
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kamakshi Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the supreme Devi Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari, Kamakshi.
The Devi, Kamakshi, is seated in a majestic Padmasana, a yoga pose that symbolizes peace and prosperity, rather than the traditional standing posture. Devi holds a cane bow and a bunch of five flowers in her lower two arms and a pasha, an ankush in her upper two arms. A parrot is also sitting near the bunch of flowers.
According to a local legend, Adi Shankaracharya had installed the Sri Chakra in this Kamakshi Devi temple in a pool-like structure in that temple. Kamakshi Amman Temple is the only structure associated with the religious heritage of Kancheepuram.
Ekambareswar Temple
One of the five main temples of Shiva, Ekambareswarar Temple is spread over 10 hectares, making it the largest place of worship in the city.
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest temple. Dedicated to the Hindu Bhagwan Shiva, it is one of the earliest examples of Pallava architecture. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses a unique 16-sided Shivalinga (symbol representing Bhagwan Shiva), carved out of black granite.
Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Sri Devaraja Swamy Temple, popularly known as Sri Varadaraja Temple, is located in the eastern corner of Kancheepuram. A 23-acre temple complex, consisting of 19 vimanas and about 400 pillared halls, is dedicated to Varadaraja Perumal or Varadaraja Swami. One of the 108 Divya Desams, all the 12 Alvars have visited and sung hymns in praise of the Bhagwan.
Kumarakottam Murugan Temple
Sri Kumara Kottam Temple is located in Kancheepuram, one of the seven "moksha-puri" or holy cities of India where salvation can be attained. In this temple, the sacred Kanda Puranam in praise of Bhagwan Muruga was composed by the sage scholar Kachiyappa Sivaacharya. It is very auspicious to worship every Tuesday and every Krittikai in this temple.
The magnificent architecture, religious significance and rich history of Kanchipuram temples every year attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the world.