Kanchipuram
Overview
Kanchipuram is one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) and, unusually for a temple town, is built around several major temples rather than a single dominant one — the Shiva-associated Ekambareswarar Temple, the Vishnu-associated Varadharaja Perumal Temple, and the Kamakshi Amman Temple (Shakti) are all significant pilgrimage sites within the same town. It's a comfortable day trip or overnight from Chennai, roughly 70km away, which makes it one of the more accessible major temple towns on the Tamil Nadu circuit. Kanchipuram is equally well known for Kanjeevaram silk sarees, woven in family-run workshops across town, and most visitors combine temple visits with a stop at a weaving unit or showroom.
Best time to visit
November through February is the most comfortable window for walking between the town's several temple complexes on foot or by short auto rides. The Panguni Brahmotsavam (March/April) at the Varadharaja Perumal Temple is the town's largest annual festival and draws significant crowds — a good time to visit for the atmosphere, but book ahead and expect longer darshan queues.
Things to do
- Visit the Ekambareswarar Temple, notable for its large enclosed mango tree courtyard, said to be centuries old.
- See the Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram's oldest surviving structure (early 8th century, Pallava-era) and considerably quieter than the town's other major temples.
- Visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, one of the Shakti Peetha sites.
- Watch a Kanjeevaram silk weaving demonstration at a family-run loom in town before buying at a showroom.
- Walk to the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, known for its 100-pillared hall and a hanging chain carved from a single stone.
Sample itinerary
Day Trip from Chennai
- Morning departure from Chennai, Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar Temples first, Varadharaja Perumal Temple and a silk-weaving visit in the afternoon, return by evening.
Weekend (2 Days)
- Day 1 — Ekambareswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, overnight in town.
- Day 2 — Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, silk-weaving workshop visit, return to Chennai.