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Chennai |
Mamallapuram
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Kanchipuram
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Tiruvanamalai
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Chidambaram
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Kumbakonam |
Thanjavor |
Tiruchinapalli
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Madurai |
Rameshwaram
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Kanyakumari
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Ooty |
Kodaikanal |
Coimbatore |
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Area : 11.6
sq.kms.
Altitude : sea level
Season : Throughout the year
Lnaguages : Tamil, Telugu, English.
The city of thousand temples, kanchipuram is simply awe-inspiring in
its heritage. Not surprisingly, it is one of india’s favourite
piligrim destinations.It is also called Siva Vishnu kanchi. The city
has stood witness to the rise and fall of most Dravidian rulers
including the pallavas, cholas and vijaynagar kings.
One of hinduism’s seven most sacred cities, ‘the golden city of a
thousand temples’ dates from the early cholas in the 2nd century.
Buddhism is believed to reach the area in the 3rd century BC asokan
stupas remain. Successive dynastics made it their capital and built
over a hundred temples, the first as early as the 4th century. In
addition to being a piligrimage centre, it was the centre of
learning, culture and philosophy. Sankaracharya and the Buddhist
monk bodhidharma lived and worked here.
The temple town of kanchipuram is famous for its temples and its
hand woven silk and zari (hand spun gold thread.) . From the 16th
century silk weavers have used high quality mulberry silk from
neighbouring Karnataka and pure gold thread woven in beautiful
colours and patterns on their handlooms. Nowadays, about 20,000 work
with silk and another 10,000 with cotton.
Places of attraction :-
Ekambareshvara Temple:
Ekambareshvara Temple is about the largest temple in Kanchipuram
dedicated to Lord Siva. Its 59mts. High gopuram constructed in 1509
by Krishna Devaraja is awesome. The temple itself covers 9 hectares
and amongst its spectacular attractions are the 1000 pillar hall and
a 3500-year old mango tree with branches representing the 4 Vedas.
The temple is said to have been named after the tree-Eka Amra Nathar-Lord
of the Mango Tree.
Dedicated to Shiva in his ascetic form it was begun by the pallavas
and developed by the Cholas. The main sanctuary has lingam made of
earth and the story of its origin is told on a carved panel. The
largest and possibly the most atmospheric of Kanchipuram’s temples
its historical connections include Acrot campaign when it served as
a fortress.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple:
Vaikunta Perumal Temple has Vaishnavite origins dating back to the
18th century built by the Pallava King Nandivarman. Dedicated to
Vishnu this temple was built shortly after the Kailasanatha temple.
The cloisters inside the outer wall consist of lion pillars and are
representative of the first phase in the architectural evolution of
the grand 1000-pillared halls. The main shrine on three levels
contains images of Vishnu in standing sitting and reclining
position.
Kamakshi Amman Temple:
Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi as she
awaited here for Lord Siva. The 14th century temple was built by the
Cholas and has an awooden carriage on which processions are taken
out. It is one of the three holiest places of shakti worship.
There is a shrine to Sri Sankara who founded a monastery and a
golden gopuram. To the right of the temple’s entrance is the
marriage hall which has wonderful ornate pillars and directly ahead
is the main shrine topped with gold. Each February/March wooden
carriages housing statues of deities are hauled through the streets
in a most colourful procession. The goddess birthaday is in
October/November.
Devarajaswami Temple:
Devarajaswami Temple (Varadaraja) is an enormous monument and its
main attraction is a huge link chain carved out of single piece of
stone dedicated to Lord Vishnu by the Vijayanagara Kings. It has a
beautifully sculptured pillared has as well as a marriage hall
commemorating the wedding of Vishnu and Lakshmi. One of the temple’s
most notable features is a huge chain carved from a single piece of
stone.Every 40 years the waters of the temple tank are drained
revealing a huge statue of Vishnu.
Kailasnath Temple:
Kailasnath Temple is a Pallava creation from the 8th century and has
a beautiful panel depicting Siva and Parvati in ‘Nritya’ (dance)
.This is the oldest temple in Kanchi. Reflecting the freshness of
early Dravidian architecture it was built by the Pallava King
Rayasimha in the late 7th century though its front was added later
by his son. King Verman III. |
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