Kanchipuram
is a fantasy in stone
Welcome to Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, 80km southwest of Chennai, was capital of the Pallava dynasty during the 6th to 8th centuries, when the Pallavas created the great stone monuments of Mamallapuram. Today a typically hectic modern Indian town, it's famous for its numerous important and vibrant temples (and their colourful festivals), some dating from Pallava, Chola or Vijayanagar times. It's also known for its high-quality silk saris, woven on hand looms by thousands of families in the town and nearby villages. Silk and sari shops are strung along Gandhi Rd, southeast of the centre, though their wares are generally no cheaper than at Chennai silk shops.
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Kanchipuram activities
Silk-Weaving and Organic Farm Motorcycle Day Trip from Chennai
Our guide will pick you from your hotel lobby and we will drive 75Km towards the ancient town of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram was the capital of the medieval South Indian Kingdom of Pallavas. The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples. We visit Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar temple of Pallava dynasty to appreciate these architectural wonders built in 600 AD. Next in our agenda is to meet the legendary Silk Saree Weavers of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is renowned for its magnificent Silk Sarees. Silk Sarees are a cultural icon in South India. Ranging in length from 6-9 yards, these Sarees are worn by women during auspicious occasions like a wedding or a birthday. There are more than 5000 families who are into the business of silk weaving. The sarees are weaved from pure mulberry silk thread. The traditional loom is an incredible machine used by the silk weavers to magically convert the silk threads into a beautiful Kanchipuram Silk Saree. We will visit one such Weaver and it will be a memorable experience. It will be a fascinating experience to see how the sarees are weaved from pure mulberry silk thread. The journey back to Chennai would take around 2.5 hrs. The tour ends after we drop you back to Chennai.
Chennai Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram Temples, Caves Private Tour
Your tour will begin with a pickup between 6:30-7:00 AM from your hotel in Chennai and proceed for full-day guided tour. To kick off the tour, your guide will brief you about the history of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Chennai to Mahabalipuram is aproximately 36 miles. Mahabalipuram is the former capital of the Pallava Kings and is famous for its splendid 7th and 8th-century art and architecture, especially the stone carvings. You will start your tour by visiting the 7th-century magnificent Shore Temple which is surrounded by lush gardens. Next, you will visit Arjuna's Penance, a 1900-square-foot rock block and rock cut caves from the 6th and 7th centuries. Later visit the 7th- century Five Rathas Shrine which has the world's largest stone relief. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense and then drive to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is known as the golden city of a thousand temples. It is one of seven sacred cities of India and has some of the most grand and majestic temples. With their striking architectural marvel, these temples reflect architectural experimentation, restructuring and refinement that was completed during different dynasties. Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava, the Chola and the Vijayanagar kings. Visit historic temples like the Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Kamaskhi Amman Temple and Ekambareshvara Temple. All of these are excellent sites of the architectural splendor of the medieval period. When the tour ends, you will be driven back to Chennai and dropped off at your hotel. Imp Dress code for temple visit – Men and women must be fully covered. Jeans pants, sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Ladies must wear Dhupatta for their Salwar
Visit the Famous Temples of Kanchipuram from Chennai
Start your day with pickup from your hotel in Chennai at 8:30am by our experienced professional driver with well maintained air conditioned private vehicle, reach at Kanchipuram after roughly one-hour 30 minutes, you will be start visiting below temples one after another (not as per the order), Kailasanathar Temple is built by the Pallava Dynasty during the first quarter of eighth century with red sandstone and has innumerable carvings of Pallva art, of which the Urdhva Thandava dance of Siva and the laughing face of Parvathi are worth seeing. Varadharaja Perumal Temple is one of the most famous architectural pieces, The Ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four Corners of the mandapam in the form of a chain are a delightful spectacle.There is a 100 pillared hall which has sculptures depicting of ramayana and mahabaratha. Vaikunta Perumal Temple is considered the second oldest extant temples in Kanchipuram after the Kailasanthar temple, It has great sculptures and inscription which speak the history of the city itself. Its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars, The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India Ekambareswarar Temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period, the pillars sculpted with intricate figures indicating various legends and avatars of Shiva, Kamakshi Amman Temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, It 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. After visits all the above temples return to Chennai drop-off at your hotel.
Private Tour: Day Trip to Kanchipuram Temple City from Chennai
After pickup from your hotel in the morning by air-conditioned vehicle, your private guide will take you to Kanchipuram, located about 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Chennai. Coined ‘The City of Thousand Temples,’ Kanchipuram is considered by the Hindus of India as one of the country’s seven holiest cities. With your guide, visit several temples and learn about the importance of the Hindu goddess Shiva. Explore Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, the city’s largest temple and one of the five major Shiva temples that each represents a natural element. Built around 600, this temple symbolizes Earth. Then, visit Kailasanathar Temple, the oldest temple in Kanchipuram, built in the early 8th century. Explore this sandstone compound and admire the fascinating carvings, including half-animal deities that were popular during the period of early Dravidian architecture. Next, head to Varadaraja Perumal Temple, one of the Divya Desams -- the 108 Vishnu temples believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or alwars. Built in 1053, this astounding temple complex contains 32 shrines and 389 pillared halls. After spending 30-45 minutes at each temple, stop by the nearby silk shop -- Kanchipuram is famous for its hand-woven silk sarees – to see a silk-weaving demonstration. Watch local artisans take pure mulberry silk of various dazzling colors and create beautiful sarees embellished with fine gold thread. In between sightseeing, you’ll enjoy an authentic Indian lunch in Kanchipuram at a restaurant carefully chosen by your guide. After your enlightening full-day tour, you’ll be taken back to your Chennai hotel.
Visit: Brihadeeshwara Temple, Saraswati Mahal Library, Royal Palace and Art Gallery in Thanjavur
Your tour begins with pickup from your by our experienced professional driver with well maintained air-conditioned vehicle, Your first stop at one of the most famous living monuments of the world's grandest Brihadeeshwara Temple Thanjavur. Conceived by the great Raja Chola and built by master architects, this monument is one of the finest contributions by Chola dynasty. In spite of the city having come under the sway of diverse rulers, the temple has been carefully preserved. Tradition has it that the chief architect and masons were specially brought from Kanchipuram. 72 metres high and 14 storeyed tower rests on a wide base. The pious Kalasha is based on a monolithic granite plinth. In front of the temples is the huge monolithic Nandi statue. Spend time walking around and discover the sculptures, After that travel a short distance and visit Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery, a cluster of fabulous building with huge corridors and halls which is build by the Nayaks in 1550 and enlarge later by the Mahrattas, two of the places tower, the Kudagaparam and the Madamaligai are visible from all parts of the city. After the recent renovations of the palace, the portions of the halls have been utilised as a museum and Art Gallery. Many bronze idols and work of art are exhibited here. Then continue to explore A portions of the Thanjavur palace has been converted in to Maharaja Sarfoji Saraswati Library. It contains many useful and vary rare or nearly unique books, many of which are unknown or quite difficult to procure. The library has the original work of many Nayak and Mahratta kings, as also those great scholars who flourished under their patronages. Besides, there are a number of palm-leaf manuscripts collected from families of scholars. The volumes collected are in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, medicine, engineering, astronomy, paintings, music and dancing. After visits you will be drop off at your hotel .
Kanchipuram Private Day Tour from Chennai
Depart from your hotel sharp at 8:30am by our experienced professional driver with well maintained air conditioned private vehicle, enjoy the scenic surrounding areas while travelling, reach at reach Kanchipuram after roughly 1hour 40minutes, start visiting below temples (not as per the order) Kailasanathar Temple is built by the Pallava Dynasty during the first quarter of eighth century with red sandstone and has innumerable carvings of Pallva art, of which the Urdhva Thandava dance of Siva and the laughing face of Parvathi are worth seeing. Varadharaja PerumalTemple is one of the most famous architectural pieces, The Ornamental rings carved out of single stone at the Four Corners of the mandapam in the form of a chain are a delightful spectacle.There is a 100 pillared hall which has sculptures depicting of ramayana and mahabaratha. Vaikunta Perumal Temple is considered the second oldest extant temples in Kanchipuram after the Kailasanthar temple, It has great sculptures and inscription which speak the history of the city itself. Its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars, The temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India Ekambareswarar Temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period, the pillars sculpted with intricate figures indicating various legends and avatars of Shiva, Kamakshi Amman Temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, It 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. After visit of all the temples start return to Chennai drop off at your hotel