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Kanchipuram
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Lord Shiva |
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Temple Of Kanchipuram |
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Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is known as one of India's Seven Sacred cities. Kanchipuram
was, one of India's seven sacred cities. Kanchipuram was the historical capital
of the Pallavas. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D and later
became the citadel of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It
has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for
centuries.
Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the
country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing
eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established
his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kanchipuram is the birth place of C.N.
Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna"
by the people of Tamil Nadu.
Kanchipuram, the Golden City of a thousand
temples, is the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of
Vijayanagar. During the 6th and 7th centuries, some of the best temples in the
city were built by the Pallavas. The city was also a great seat of learning. Sri
Sankaracharya, Appar, Siruthonder and the great Budddhist Bhikku lived, and
worked here. Today, it is known not only for its temples, but also for its
handwoven silk fabrics.
Location
Kanchipuram
is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India and the seat of the
Shankaracharya. The temple city of Kanchipuram extends from latitude 12° 50' in
the north to longitude 79° 45' in the east. The city is situated around 70 km
from Chennai in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Climate
The climate of Kanchipuram is tropical with an
almost uniform temperature throughout the year. During summers, the temperature
ranges between 36.6°C and 21.1°C. Winter months are slightly colder and the
temperatures remain between 28.7°C and 19.8°C. The average annual rainfall in
the city is 87 cm.
History
Kanchipuram or
the Golden City of Temples is one of the most important centers of Hindu
religion and also one of the most picturesque. The place is one of India's seven
sacred cities and the second holiest after Varanasi.
The city was once
the capital of the Pallavas, Cholas, and the Vijayanagar rulers. It was under
the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century AD but, during that period, was also
briefly occupied by the Chalukyas, and the Rashtrakutas. Many of the temples
situated here are the work of the Pallavas and later Cholas.
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Kanchipuram Pilgrimage Attractions |
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Pilgrimage Attractions of Kanyakumari
- Kamakshi Amman Temple
India has three main cities where the
Goddess Shakti is worshipped. Kanchipuram holds the most important rank among
the three. In the same order, the three places are Kanchipuram, where the
Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped, Madurai, where the Goddess Meenakshi is
worshipped, and Kashi, where the deity is 'Visaalakshi'. The Kamakshi Amman
temple is the hub of all religious activities in Kanchipuram. The temple is also
in closer control of the Shankara Mutt, unlike the other temples, which are
governed either by the Department of Archeology, Government of India, or the
Hindu Temples Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.
The main tower
over the sanctum (Vimanam) of the temple is gold plated. Also of significance is
the Golden Chariot in this temple. The Golden Chariot is taken in a procession
around the temple on Friday evenings around 7.00 p.m. This temple also features
an Art Gallery with pictures depicting the history of Sri Adishankaracharya and
the Shankara Mutt.
- Kailashanathar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kailashanathar
(also spelt as Kailashnatha) is one of the earliest temples built by the Pallava
ruler Rajasimha Pallava and was completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava in
the 8th century AD. It is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest
example of Pallava architecture in South India . The temple is situated among
several low-roofed houses just over 1-km west of the town center. Of all the
temples in India, no other edifice has been so elaborately filled with all the
64 aspects of Lord Shiva. The temple is unique in its architecture and is viewed
more as an architectural wonder than as a holy place. Hence, it is never crowded
with locals. But, once in a year during Shivaratri festival large crowds visit
the temple and there could be hours of waiting in long queues.
- Ekambareshwar Temple
Ekambareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva,
is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, spreading over an area of 12.14
hectares. This ancient temple is surrounded by a huge stonewall built in the
early 16th century during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Ekambareshwar temple is of hoary antiquity,
beginning as a small fane, it has grown over the centuries into a large one with
innumerable shrines, Mandapams, Gopurams and Tanks. It is considered to be one
of the most ancient temples in India and has been in existence even prior to 600
AD. It enshrines many traditions.
- Kumara Kottam
Kumara Kottam is located in between the Kamakshi and
Ekambareshwar temples in the Somaskanda formation in the town of Kanchipuram. It
is a well-visited temple with two Prakarams and a complete pantheon of Parivara
Devatas enshrined in their respective shrines.
In the sanctum, Muruga is
in a seated pose. Valli, Deivayani are absent here, but their festival idols are
kept here. In accordance with the function of Creation he has assumed, his right
arm is in Abaya pose, the upper hand holds the rosary, and the lower left arm is
on the thigh in Katyavailambita pose with the left arm holding the Kamandalam.
The posture is also called "Brahma Chattam".
- Varadaraja Temple
The Varadaraja temple is one of the important
shrines of Sri Vaishnavites, also known as "Hastigiri" and is one of the
celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams, located in Vishnu Kanchi or "the Little
Kanchi". Originally it was known as "Attiyuran". The main deity here is
Varadaraja Perumal in a standing posture facing west and the Lord here is also
known as "Devaraja", "Pranatharthihara", "Deva Perumal", "Athiyooran" and
"Perarulalan".
Varadaraja temple with superb art has a magnificent
history, which is associated with Sri Ramanuja, who used to serve here. Many
miracles are said to have occurred. It was with his ministry that the temple,
then already several centuries old, began to gain fame.
- Ulahalanda Perumal Temple
Ulahalanda Perumal temple, situated
about half a kilometre from the centre of the town near Kamakshi Amman temple is
one of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal in this
temple represents the "Vamana Roopam", an incarnation of Lord Vishnu taken to
save the Devas from the Demon king Mahabali. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal is
depicted by a huge image of about 35 feet high.
Festivals Celebrated In
Kanchipuram
Some of the important festivals celebrated in Kanchipuram are
the Brahmotsavam -Varadaraja temple in May; Garuda Sevai- Varadaraja temple in
June; Float festival -Varadaraja temple in February and November; Kamakshi Ammam
Festival - February; Mahashivaratri festival - Kailashanatha temple in February;
Panguni Uthiram -Ekambareshwara temple in March-April.
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