Kanchipuram
Ancient
Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples, is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim
centres for the Hindus. There now remain about 126 temples in Kanchi and a few
more in its outskirts. The city was the capital of the Early Cholas as far back
as the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries.
Temples in kanchipuram are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of the Kanchipuram
District and are repositories of the magnificient art forms that evolved over
several centuries.
Sri Ekambareswara Temple: The most famous Siva temple at Kanchi is the
Ekambareswara temple. The dimensions of this temple are reflected in its 20
- acre spread and its tall south gopuram which soars to a height of 58.5m.
Sri Kailasanathar Temple: Kailasnathar temple is built by Rajasimha of
the pallava dynasty during 'the first quarter of the eighth century. The temple
is built of red sandstone and has innumerable carvings of Pallava art, of which
the Urdhva Tandava dance of Siva and the laughing face of Parvati are worth
seeing. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.
Sri Vardaraja Perumal Temple: The centre of attraction in Vishnu Kanchi
is the temple of varadarajaswamy situated on the top of Hastigiri or Elephant
Hill.The Vijayanagar kings constructed this temple. The whole temple covers
an area of about 23 acres. The sculptural beauty of the pillars is amazing.
Ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four Corners of the mandapam
in the form of a chain are a delightful spectacle.
Sri Kamakshiamman Temple: Kanchi is sacred as one of the three Sakti
peethas of India. Kamakshi is said to be the Supergoddess, Parasakti, having
Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati as her eyes. She blesses all that dedicate themselves
to her. The sanctum sanctorum faces southeast in the centre of Gayatri Mandapam.
The tradition says that there was a delightful grove of Champaka trees around
the main temple now known as Gayatri Mandaparn.
Sri Ulagalandar Temple: This vaishnava Temple was bulit in chola period
.The main deity of this temple is 35 feet high and 24 feet wide posing with
one foot on earth and the other on the sky. This form is called Trivikrama.This
temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu.
Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple: This temple is built by The Pallava ruler,
Nandivarman in the seventh century AD.Sri Vaikunda Perumal temple is famous
for its architecture. The Lord is in the sitting posture. The Goddess is known
as Sri Vaikunthavalli Tayar. It has great sculptures and inscription which speak
of its history and the history of the city itself. Its inner walls are decorated
with lion shaped pillars.
Sri Kacchapaeswarar Temple: Kacchapa Eswarar temple was built by pallava
Dynasty.In this temple, siva appears as being worshipped by vishnu in the form
of turtle (kurmemerali)."Kacchapam" is a Sanskrit word for "Turtle".hence
the name "Kacchapa Eswarar Temple".
Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple: This temple of Vijayaraghava Perumal
is one of the 108 Divyadesams where Lord Rama is said to have performed the
funeral rites for Jatayu, the giant bird which valiantly fought to prevent Ravana
from abducting Sita, the wife of Lord Rama to Lanka.
Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram: Kanchipuram is an important landmark
in the history of the Jains. Many of the Pallava kings belonged to Jainism.The
temples of the Jaina Tirthankaras were built in the Ninth Century A.D. The temples
contain several fresco paintings and a grand image of Bhagwan Mahaveer.
Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple: Subramaniya swami temple was built around
1915. For Hindus on a pilgrimage trip, this temple is a mandatory place to visit.
It gains its significance due to its location. The way this temple is located
in the city is a rare phenomenon mentioned in Hindu scriptures. It is called
the "Soma Skandha" Posture.
