Beautiful Temples in Kanchipuram

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is an important religious site is located on the banks of the Vedavathi River, at the western limits, facing the east side in the Kanchipuram city of Tamil Nadu. The temple holds great significance and value for the Hindu devotees and is visited by a large number of tourists all year round especially during Mahashivratri. The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is embellished with beautiful paintings and fantastic sculptures.

Timings: 5:30 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 9 PM
Location: Pillaiyarpalayam, Kanchipuram

Kamakshi Amman Temple is a place of worship which is home to the divine Goddess Kamakshi, who is believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love, fertility and strength. VThe Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, which are sacred shrines built around the falling body parts from the corpse of Goddess Sati from heaven. It is believed the naval part of her body fell at this site, thus making it a holy abode.

Timings: 5:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: 6, Sri kamakshi amman sannathi street, Sanathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram

Varadharaja Perumal Temple located in the city of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is of immense religious importance. It is also believed that the Alwars or the poetic saints visited this temple. The temple complex is expansive and is a work of worship that was built during the reign of the Chola Kings. Devotees of Lord Vishnu from all over the world visit the temple to seek blessings in Vishnu Kanchi especially during the 10-day Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam, Purattasi Navaratri and Vaikunda Ekadasi. 

Timings : 6 AM - 11 AM, 4 PM - 8 PM
Location: W Mada St, Nethaji Nagar, Kanchipuram

Ulagalanthar Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one of the 108 Divya Desams, is located very near to the Kamakshi Amman Temple in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The temple is of great historical and religious importance and is visited by followers from all over the world.

Timings: 6 AM - 6:30 PM
Location: Kamakshi Amman Sannidhi Street, Periya, Kanchipuram

It is at the Kachapeshwarar Temple that the Lord Shiva can be seen being worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise. This image can be viewed on sculptures and engravings that have ornated this beautiful temple from start to end. This concept of a temple to be dedicated to one Hindu god, in this case Lord Shiva, and then show another god worshipping that entity makes this temple extremely unique. The exquisite interiors of the temple is just as impressive as the exterior.

Timings: 5 AM - 12 PM, 5 PM - 8 PM
Location: Nellukara St, Periya, Kanchipuram

The Vaikunda Perumal Temple was built by the Pallava king Nadivarman II during the 7th century. This is particular temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In fact, Lord Vishnu's image can be seen in standing, sitting and reclining forms on towering vimanas that can be seen throughout the temple. Inscriptions that tell of the history of the temple, as well as the history of the city itself, can be seen on the walls.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 6 PM
Location: Periya, Kanchipuram

The Ekambaranatha Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram. It covers a massive area of 20 acres. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and was built by the Pallavas and then in turn was renovated by both the Cholas and the Rayas. One notable feature of this temple is the fact that the 1000 lingas are all carved out of one solitary stone. Also, there are one thousand pillared halls found within the temple. Outside of the Ekambaranatha Temple there is a mango tree that is around 3500 years old.

Timings: 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Ambigapadeeswar temple, Kilambi. 4 Km north of Kanchipuram via Arcot - Kanchipuram Rd/Tiruvannamalai - Kanchipuram Rd and Kamarajar St/Kanchipuram - Vellore Rd

Chitragupta Temple located in Kanchipuram is dedicated to Chitragupta who is a Hindu Deity. It is a rare temple in India that is dedicated to Chitragupta who is also known as the assistant of The God of Death, Yamaraja. The temple is a striking work of traditional architecture that is found in most of the temples in South India. It has Rajagopuram which is three-tiered and a sanctum sanctorum. According to Hindu mythology, Chitragupta was born from a painting that Lord Shiva drew in detail and was appointed to keep an account of the good and the evil deeds of humans on earth to help maintain Dharma.

Timings: 5 AM - 12 PM, 5 PM - 11 PM
Location: Hospital Rd, Nellukara st, Kanchipuram

The Devarajaswami Temple was constructed by the Vijaynagar kings. It is devoted to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. There are ornamented engraved pillars that can be seen inside the temple. This scrupulous temple has a marriage hall that was built in remembrance of the marriage between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. There is also a water tank that contains a large statue of Lord Vishnu inside the water. The tank is debilitated every 40 years and it is at that time, the 10-meter high statue can be seen, and is then established for darshan for 48 days before it is immersed in water again.

Location: Chithathur, Tamil. 18 Km south of Kanchipuram via Arcot - Kanchipuram Rd

Eri Katha Ramar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama or Ramanuja located in the beautiful city of Kanchipuram. The temple is of immense religiously important for the followers and devotees of Lord Rama. It was built during the reign of the Pallava Kingdom. The temple complex has the same traditional architecture as seen in many temples in south India. It faces eastward and situated very near to Lake Madhuranthakam. The idol of Lord Ramanuja is about 8 feet tall and is a major attraction in Kanchipuram.

The Jain Temples of Kanchipuram are of immense religious importance for Jain devotees located in the village of Thiruparuthikundram in Kanchipuram. One of these temples is dedicated to Bhagwan Mahavir, and the other is dedicated to Jain Teerthankaras. The temple architecture is mainly 9th-century Dravidian type of structure. These ancient temples are adorned with beautiful paintings depicting deities and stories of the Jain culture/ Jain style of art. Most of these paintings have been restored, but the beauty of the temples is very well preserved.

The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is a monastic institution for the Hindu community located in one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, the city of Kanchipuram. The Pancha Bhuta Sthalas represent five materials essential for our existence, namely - Earth, Sky, Water, Fire and Air. Out of these, Kanchipuram represents Earth, Chidambaram represents Sky, Thiruvanaikoil represents Water, Thiruvannamalai represents Fire and Kalahasti represents Air.

Location: Srimatam Samsthanam, 1, Salai St, Tamil Nadu

Thennangur Panduranga Temple is located in the Thennangur village in the district of Tiruvannamalai in Kanchipuram. The town is also known as the birthplace of Goddess Meenakshi. Thennangur Panduranga Temple is dedicated to Panduranga and his consort Rukmayee. The main idol of the temple was installed by Swami Haridas Giri which he had brought along with him from Pandharpur about 500 years ago.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 8 PM.
Location: Thennangur village. 32 Km south of Kanchipuram via SH 116

The Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple is a place of worship dedicated to Lord Venkateswara located in the district of Kanchipuram. This resplendent temple has a unique idol of Lord Venkateswara which is seen standing on a shivalinga. This kind of a representation is not seen anywhere else in the world, and it signifies that Lord Venkateswara/Perumal and Lord Shiva are equal and that they teach us the same beliefs and way of life in different forms. It is believed that the deity is highly powerful and grants every wish that is sincerely asked.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM, 3 PM - 8 PM

Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is a place of worship dedicated to Lord Vijayaraghava Perumal located in the town of Kanchipuram. This glorious temple is the 57th of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built in the 13th century during the reign of the Pandya rulers. Certain inscriptions on the temple walls denote the era it was constructed. The temple architecture is similar to the traditional temples found in Kanchipuram. A majority of the devotees that visit the revered shrine are women who wish to bear a child.

Timings: 7 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 7 PM
Location: Thiruppukuzhi, Tamil Nadu. 13 km northwest from Kanchipuram via MDR666, MDR143 and NH 48