15 Places To Visit In Kanchipuram

Every Kanchipuram travel guide often begins with the renowned Kamakshi Amman temple. This temple is home to Goddess Kamakshi, an incarnation of Parvati and is one of 51 sacred Shakti Peethas of the country. The temple’s religious aura, peaceful surroundings and splendid Dravidian architecture draw tourists from far and wide. To witness the true glory of this holy place, plan your trip during the annual festival of the temple that is usually organised between February and March.

After visiting the Kanchipuram temple, go to the Kanchi Kudil, a famous heritage museum. The museum’s vast display of artefacts and antiques will give you a peek into the rich history of the city. The museum also houses wooden swings, furniture and utensils dating back to ancient times. Kanchi Kudil is indeed one of the unmissable tourist attractions in Kanchipuram that is sure to make your trip even more memorable.

With Lord Vishnu as the presiding deity, Varadaraja Temple is another historic gem of this temple town. This architectural marvel was built in the 3rd century by the Chola kings. The magnificent architecture and religious significance of this temple place it on the list of the best places to see in Kanchipuram. But, the major highlight of the temple is the 350 inspirations that belong to several different dynasties.

Quench your spiritual thirst at Kumarakottam Temple, one of the most famous Kanchi tourist places. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, this temple is visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year. But, visiting this temple during November can be the best decision. Because of Kandha Shasti, the annual festival which is celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

The temple is home to 58 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. But, it is not just about the shrines. The magnificent Tamil architecture of this temple can lure even the hard-to-please tourists. Once you have explored the temple complex, you can sit back and relax amid the peaceful surroundings.

If you are looking for a place to rejuvenate and meditate, Kanchi Manakoti Peetam is the place to go. Also known as Kanchi Mutt or Sankara Mutt, it is a monastic institution for Hindus founded by Adi Shankara. While in the city, make sure to attend poojas and other traditional rituals performed here. Believe us, the positive aura of this place will be captured in your heart for a lifetime.

Built by the Pallava and Chola Kings, Ekambareswarar Temple is the epitome of architectural grandeur. It is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram. A huge number of Shiva devotees from different parts of the country visit this temple. Here’s a little secret! The allure of this temple gets increased twofold during the Shivratri festival when the colourful decorations adorn this place. That is why it is considered the best time to visit Kanchipuram.

One of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this is among the most significant temples in the region. The temple houses a 35 feet tall idol of Lord Vishnu in the Vamana form. With splendid architecture coupled with religious and historical importance, Ulagalantha Perumal Temple remains on the bucket list of Vishnu devotees.

One of the few temples dedicated to Chitragupta, this temple is a beautiful sight that you wouldn’t want to miss. Chitragupta is known as the assistant of Yamaraja, the God of Death. He was appointed to keep an account of the good and evil deeds of every human on the earth. Also, this temple was built during the rule of the Chola Dynasty and is a typical example of the traditional South Indian style of architecture.

Covering a massive area of 20 acres, Thiru Ekambaranathar Temple is among the largest temples and most prominent Kanchi visiting places. The primary highlights of this temple are the 1000 lingas that are carved out of one solitary stone. The thousand-pillared halls within the temple complex are watch-worthy as well.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring sculptors of ancient kings at this 1000-year old temple! One of the oldest in the city, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Whether you are a religious seeker or not, this is definitely a must-visit place during your Kanchipuram sightseeing tour.

Located in the district of Tiruvannamalai, this striking temple is dedicated to Panduranga and his consort Rukmayee. But the best feature of this temple remains the idol of Achyutraja Perumal. Another interesting thing about this 500-year old temple is that it follows Southern as well as Northern traditions.

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple has found its mention in the epic Mahabharata. It is also one of the 108 Divyadesam of Lord Vishnu, making it one of the most popular places near Kanchipuram. Apart from the religious and historical associations, the temple is also known for its alluring surroundings. It is surrounded by two holy water bodies, adding to the overall charm of this place.

If you are looking for exceptional Kanchi places to visit, Devarajaswami Temple is where you need to be. The temple is renowned for a large idol of Lord Vishnu that is immersed in a water tank. Every 40 years, the idol is established for 48 days, allowing devotees to seek blessing before it is immersed back into the water. Another unique feature of this temple is a marriage hall built inside the complex signifying the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

There is a fascinating legend associated with this temple. Locals believe that Karchapeswarar Temple is where Lord Vishnu came to offer prayers to Lord Shiva in the form of a tortoise. Owing to this legend, devotees frequent this revered temple.

Honestly, you can never get enough of what Kanchipuram has to offer. We will say this much! Get ready to experience peace and spirituality at its best in this temple town on your next vacation.