About the Destination

Kanchipuram has been a destination of great importance since ancient times. During the 6th and 8th centuries, it served as the capital for the great Pallava Dynasty. During this period, several vibrant and glorious temples were built in the honour of Lord Vishnu. Following the Pallava period, during the times of the Chola Empire and Vijay Nagar, the region evolved into a haven for the faithful. Architectural marvels from these periods are always a part of the Kanchipuram sightseeing experience.

Today Kanchipuram is home to places of worship from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions. It is regarded as one of the holiest cities in India as it has been part of the Indian culture since ancient times.

With a Kanchipuram tour package, one can discover more about the two things that make this place special, the temples and silk. The silk industry in Kanchipuram has been thriving for several hundred years and is well renowned globally. ‘Kanchipuram Silk’ is the name of the silk produced in these regions, which is praised for its quality. Hand-woven silk saris are primarily made from this silk variety.

The mainland of Kanchipuram is located on the northern banks of the river Vegavahi, which is a tributary of the river Palar. Located at a distance of about 80 km from Chennai, Kanchipuram is a one-day trip from Vellore, Mamallapuram, and Puducherry.

One can opt for the Kanchipuram tour packages available online, which will be the best way to travel to the city in a pre-planned manner. This will also allow you to include all the interesting places for sightseeing in Kanchipuram.

Experience Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is an experience unlike any other. It is often dubbed as the ‘Banaras of the South’. The earliest records of the city of Kanchipuram date back all the way to the Pallava Dynasty in 300 BC. In the medieval period as well, Kanchipuram flourished in the Chola Kingdom and under the Vijay Nagar empire it became a centre of faith and religion, resulting in the dynamic amalgamation of culture that we see today.

The city is located in the northern half of the state of Tamil Nadu and is based on the banks of the river Palar. The town is close to the seashore and thus maintains a coastal atmosphere. One can even feel the cool breeze from the Bay of Bengal passing by in the times of the evening.

On your Kanchipuram trip, you will find people mostly speaking Tamil, although other South Indian languages such as Telugu and Kannada are also spoken.

Things to Do in Kanchipuram

Here are some of the best places in the city that you can include in your Kanchipuram tour package:

• Kailasanathar Temple:

The Kailasanathar Temple translates to “The Temple of the Lord of Mt. Kailash”. It is the oldest temple to be built in the city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has more than 50 small shrines within the complex. The construction of this ancient temple began under the rulership of Pallava King, Rajsimha, and was completed in the 8th century under the kingship of Mahendraverman III. The temple is a must-visit and you should include the place in your Kanchipuram tourism checklist. The temple is managed by Kanchipuram Tourism and there is no entry cost, but there is a small price to be paid for your footwear to be housed outside the temple.

• Varadaraja Perumal Temple:

The Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Desams and spans an area of 23 acres. There are around 400 pillared walls dedicated to Varadraja Swami in the complex. The architecture is a fine example of traditional Dravidian workmanship. If one decides to visit this temple during the months of May or June, they can experience the Bhramotsavam, which is the main festival of the temple. You can book your Kanchipuram trip online with Veena World to witness this once a year carnival.

• Vaikunta Perumal Temple:

Located in the Vishnu Kanchi, the Vaikunta Perumal is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built in the 8th century and is currently under the care of the Archaeology Department of the Government of India. If you plan your vacation for a Kanchipuram trip right, you can even witness the temples in full grandeur during the festival of Vaikunta Ekadasi. This temple is also managed by the Kanchipuram Tourism board and there is no entry cost.

• Ulagalanda Perumal:

The Ulagalanda Perumal temple was built in the honour of an ‘Avtaram’ of Lord Vishnu. Located in Vishnu Kanchi, the temple was built during the Chola period under the kingship of Jayam Konda Cholan. Ulagalanda Perumal translates to ‘The God Who Conquered Earth”. The tale speaks of Lord Vishnu measuring the entire universe in a single step, in his ‘Vaman Avtaram’. The temple is beautifully built with typical Chola architecture and brilliantly carved statues adorn the pillars of the temple. The Ulagalanda Perumal must not be missed in a Kanchipuram tour package, as it houses a 45-foot-tall statue of Lord Vishnu.

• Kamakshi Temple:

The Kamakshi Temple is a hard-to-miss destination when you tour the city as it is located in the heart of the town. The temple was built in the honour of Kamakshi Devi in the 12th Century. During the period of Navratri, the temple really comes alive, with thousands of devotees flocking to celebrate the occasion. The temple is managed by Kanchipuram Tourism and there is no entry cost, but a small price for your footwear to be housed outside the temple.

• Shop for Silk:

Kanchipuram Silk is world-famous for its quality and craftsmanship. In Kanchipuram, you wouldn't have to go very far to find shops that offer authentic varieties of Kanchipuram silk. Pure Mulberry Silk with Zari work is the hallmark among the finest varieties of Kanchipuram silk. While on a tour of Kanchipuram, you can visit the markets in town to find your choice of silk work or you could plan it as a one-day trip/ vacation to Kanchipuram for shopping and exploring the markets of the town.

Best time to visit Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is located near the coast of Tamil Nadu and thus enjoys coastal weather conditions of the exemplary kind. The temperatures during the summers peak up to 36 degree Celsius and are at the lowest at about 21 degree Celsius.

During the winters, the temperatures drop to a cool average of 25 degree Celsius. It is also during this time of the year that most festivals and carnivals of the city are held. There is a huge influx of tourists and devotees from across the world.

If you wish to get the complete experience, you should plan your trip during November to February in the winters. This is also the best time for travellers to plan a one-day trip to Kanchipuram. On the contrary, if you wish to enjoy a slow-paced, detailed tour of Kanchipuram, you must book your tour package in the months of March, April, and June.

Booking an all-inclusive tour of Kanchipuram with Veena World is the simplest way to experience the city at its best.

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