Updated May 26, 2023
About Kanchipuram Temples
Discover the sacred realm of Kanchipuram, a captivating town in Tamil Nadu renowned as the city of ‘thousand temples.’ Enveloped within 36.14 sq km of land, it exudes a rich historical heritage and profound spiritual significance. The Kanchipuram Temples stand as magnificent testaments to architectural grandeur, adorned with exquisite carvings, intricate sculptures, and captivating wall paintings. Embark on a journey to behold the captivating beauty and divine aura of these revered temples in Tamil Nadu.
Top Kanchipuram Temples
If you plan your upcoming trip to Tamil Nadu, these Kanchipuram temples must be on your list.
#1 Kachapeswaran Temple
Lord Vishnu, who reincarnated as a tortoise, is seen worshiping Lord Shiva at the Kachapeshwarar Temple. The engravings and sculptures decorate this lovely temple from top to bottom and show this image. The idea of a temple solely devoted to one Hindu god—in this example, Lord Shiva—and then depicting another god bowing down to that being makes this temple incredibly unusual. The temple’s magnificent interiors are almost as remarkable as its appearance.
#2 Ekambaranathar Temple
The largest temple in Kanchipuram is the Ekambaranathar Temple. It extends over a vast 20-acre area. This temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, was constructed by the Pallavas and restored by the Chola and Raya dynasties afterward. The temple boasts one of its outstanding features: 1,000 lingas carved from a single stone. The temple also contains a thousand halls with pillars. A mango tree is outside the Ekambaranathar Temple, about 3500 years old.
#3 The Devarajaswami Temple
The Vijayanagar rulers ordered the construction of the Devarajaswami Temple. Lord Vishnu, a Hindu deity, is the object’s patron. The temple’s interior features etched pillars with ornaments. The temple built a wedding hall to celebrate the union of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. They also placed an enormous statue of Lord Vishnu inside a water tank. The statue, which stands 10 meters high, becomes visible when the tank is drained and stays visible for 48 days before submerging again. The priests empty the water tank every 40 years.
#4 Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
Kanchipuram is home to the Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, a place of worship for Lord Vijayaraghava Perumal. This magnificent shrine is the 57th of 108 Divya Desams or temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. The Pandya kings constructed the temple in the 13th century. Inscriptions on its walls reveal the era of its construction. The temple’s design reflects Kanchipuram’s traditional temple architecture. Women who want to have children make up most pilgrims who come to the revered shrine.
#5 Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
The building most closely connected with Kanchipuram’s religious legacy is Kamakshi Amman Temple, the central place of worship for the prominent Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. The Pallava kings have a belief to have erected the initial tower of the temple, although the construction specifics are unknown. Stories and traditions fill the temple’s history, many of which connect to Adi Shankara, the patron saint of the Kamakoti Mutt. The temple celebrates the yearly chariot festival with considerable fanfare in the Tamil month of Masi (between February and March).
#6 Sathyanath Eshwar Temple
Even though it only has a surface area of 2290 square meters, this shrine from the seventh century is the most important historical and religious site in Kanchipuram. It is devoted to Sathyanatheswarar, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, and is Shaiva in nature. The temple’s three-tiered main gopuram houses a granite lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. Aside from that, Sathyanatheswarar Temple is one of the 275 significant Shiva temples described in the Tamil Shaivite literature.
#7 Ashtabujakaram Temple
The Ashtabujakaram Temple, a renowned Vaishnavite temple in Kanchipuram, showcases a contemporary design that amalgamates architectural elements from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagar Dynasties. Its most notable feature is the temple pond, which connects with the mythical story of Gajendra Moksha. The temple hosts the 10-day Vaikunta Ekadasi celebration in December, a significant festival for Vaishnavites, making it the most well-known occasion associated with the temple.
Conclusion
Kanchipuram is all about serenity and divinity. It is the home of some of the most captivating temples in India, and tourists from around the World will flock here for a holy trip. If you love to visit temples, Kanchipuram will give you one of the best experiences. The best time to visit/pooja timings at each temple is in detail in this blog. Make sure you plan your trip and visit this holiest city on Earth.
Recommended Articles
We hope that this EDUCBA information on “Kanchipuram Temples” was beneficial to you. You can view EDUCBA’s recommended articles for more information,
