Kanchipuram.

Sri Kamakshi Amman

The town of Kanchi was the capital of the ancient Pallavas. The Kailasanathar temple here is one of the grand Pallava monuments. The Kamakshi Amman temple at Kanchipuram is an ancient one and is associated with Aadi Sankaracharya of the 1st millennium CE. The Tamil saying Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kaasi Visalakshi illustrates the importance of the Shakthi shrine that it is.

Legend has it that Kamakshi offered worship to a Shivalingam made out of sand, under a mango tree and gained Shiva's hand in marriage. (See also Ekambreswarar temple and Nilattingal Tundam).The temple covers an area of about 5 acres, and the sanctum is crowned with a gold plated vimanam. Kamakshi is enshrined in a seated posture in the sanctum - and is referred to as the Parabhrama Swarupini, seated with Bhrama Vishnu Rudra Eswara and Sadasiva. A Sri Chakram has been installed in front of the image and worship is offered to it.

It is believed that Kamakshi was originally a Ugra Swaroopini, and that Aadi Sankaracharya, upon establishing the Sri Chakra, personified her as the Shanta Swaroopini (see also Akhilandeswari at Tiruvanaikkaval). It is believed that during the days of Adi Sankara, the presence of the Ugra Swaroopini was felt outside the temple precincts, and that Sankaracharya had requested her not to leave the temple complex. Symbolic of this, the festival image of Kamakshi, takes leave from Sankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner prakaram, each time she is taken out in procession.

Sri Kailashnath Temple

The Kailasanatha is four-storeyed and is an example of sandharaprasada containing two walls providing an ambulatory. The storeys are decorated with architectural designs like kutas, kostas and panjaras. The pillars in structural temples are with rampant lions generally and with elephants, nagas and bhulas at times. Niches are to be seen in both the rock-cut and structural temples and have a makaratorana decoration on their top, the makaras in them having floriated tails overflowing on the sides.

The corbels are generally curved in profile with the taranga (wave moulding) ornament and a median band. The gopuras are absent in these early temples. In the Kailasanatha at Kanchi and the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram there are faint but unmistakable suggestions of gopuradhvaras which were to evolve into towers. Another feature of these early structural temples is the almost prodigal sculptural embellishment of the exterior walls. The carvings are invariably those of deities, a few of which appear to be fresh inceptions from the Calukyan area..."

Sri Varadarajar Perumal temple

Varadarajar temple is a massive and impressive edifice. The Hundred-Pillar-hall erected during the Vijayanagar period in this temple is noted for its exquisite sculptures.This is an extremely large temple with abundant sculptures. This temple is made up of several sub-shrines. This is also called the Devaraja Swamy temple. This temple provides a glimpse of 16th century pillared pavilion with an exuberant workmanship.this temple situated on the top of Hastigiri or Elephant Hill. One has to ascend 24 steps up the hill to reach the sanctum sanctorum.

Sri Varadarajar Perumal

Lord Varadaraja is in standing posture facing towards the west with his gracious look. The figure is huge in size with four hands holding the insignias of Sankha, Chakra, etc., and richly decorated with costly jewels.The main Deity of Sri Varadaraja Perumal in this temple is very large, and is believed to be second in size to none other than the Deity of Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala-Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. Significant among other things in this temple are the sculptures of two lizards carved on the ceiling of the corridor enclosing the Sanctum.

The lizards, one covered with a sheet of Gold and the other with a sheet of Silver.The sculptures of the Sun and the Moon can be found beside those of the lizards.The sculptures and paintings in this temple are absolutely amazing. Significant among the sculptures is the "Nooru Kaal Mandapam" or 100 Pillar Hall.

This entire masterpiece has been sculpted out of a single rock.The ornamental rings carved out of a single stone in a chain at the four corners are the special features of the hall.The riders on horseback , beautiful figures of Rathi and Manmatha, exquisite temple jewellery are other notable features. This temple is an important stopover point for almost all tourist buses that come into Kanchipuram. Although the temple never gets crowded (it is too big), the queue at the Sanctum gets backed up very often.

Note that as a tradition, Vaishnavite temples always close at Noon, to be reopened in the evening. You can expect the Santum of this temple to be closed in the afternoon, too. While you are there, don't forget to taste the food sold at the Temple's Madappalli (Kitchen). There are stories about how Arignar Anna, strikingly one of the strongest atheist leaders known in Tamilnadu, loved the food from this temple's kitchen. Anna's house is located right next to the temple premises and has been converted into a Memorial Center.

Ekambaranathar Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. The architecture of this temple is amazing. The gopuram of this temple stands as a massive landmark, spanning a height of 57 metres - one of the tallest in South India.The vast temple premises introduce you to many wonders, one after another.

Ekambaranathar Temple

The first is the "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or the hallway with a thousand pillars. The next is the array of 1008 Siva Lingams that decorate the inner walls of the temple.The most important, of course, is the "sthala-virutcham", a 3500 year old mango tree whose branches give four different types of mangoes. This temple bears the work of practically every dynasty which ruled Kanchipuram...."

Sri Adi Sankara

Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was established by Sri Adi Sankara in the year 482 B.C. and has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas (spiritual leaders). In this Peetham presents several aspects of Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta (running into several thousands of pages).

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas till now. The Acharyas have taken measures for the protection of Veda Dharma, for propagating the Advaita discipline, and alleviating the sufferings of the people.

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam runs hospitals at different places, which includes the Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital in Madras, Eye Hospitals at Coimbatore and Guwahati, hospitals at Madhubani (Bihar), Rathura for tribals (Uttranchal), Berhampur (Orissa) Hindu Mission Hospitals in many places in Tamil Nadu.