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Kanchipuram
From Wikitravel
Kanchipuram, sometimes shortened to Kanchi, is a town of temples in Tamil Nadu.
One of the ancient cities of southern India with a rich historical background, it was capital of the Pallava kings and an important Hindu religious center. This is the best place to have a glance at traditional india and enjoy its impressive ancient buildings.
[edit] Get in
It is near Chennai or Vellore ( approximately 75 km), and well connected by road. Frequency of buses from CMBT bus station is very high and well below 2hrs of journey, you land up in kanchipuram. Travel on national highway, added green surroundings, all make a comfortable journey. From Tirupati, it is 100 KM you can take bus or trains which take around 3-4 hours.
[edit] Get around
Three wheeler auto-rickshaws are fastest and most convenient. You need to fix the price before you start - you will find these all around the town.
If you plan to visit the temples, you can bargain a package deal - cost depends on how many and which temples you might want to visit. A thumb rule of price is around rs.20 between point to point.
[edit][add listing] See
- Kanchi Kamakshi Temple abode of Kamakshi (Goddess Parvathi) - consort of Lord Siva.
- Ekambaranatha Temple. Represents the earth form of the five form-element abodes of Lord Siva.
- Vaikunta Perumal Temple has beautiful pillared corridors around the sanctum. One of the most ancient temples with 3 tier Sannathi cum Gopuram.
- Varadaraja Perumal Temple The gopuram of this temple, is particularly impressive when viewed across the lush green fields from the road leading from Kanchi.
- Kailasanathar Temple must see high point in architecture.The architecture of this temple is more alike that of Mahabalipuram temple.
- Kanchi Kudhil The ancient culture and scultural heritage of Hinduism is proclaimed in a small house, open to visitors.
- Kachapeshwarar Temple
- Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt.
- International Library situated in Enathur, 3.5 KM from kanchipuram town, this library contains a treasure of ancient manuscripts written on Palm Leaves. Infront of the library is a 60 ft high statue of Adi Shankaracharya. The library is a part of the Kanchipuram Shankara University.
- Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Neervalur. edit
[edit][add listing] Do
Explore important temples in the city Visit kuchery's(concert of south indian music) in Kanchi Mutt in the evenings
for Information on Kanchipuram - a holy city in Tamilnadu
[edit][add listing] Buy
Silk clothing (sarees etc.). Kanchipuram is famous throughout India for the quality of the silk weaving. You can find wonderful bargains if you shop around. If you are led by a taxi/auto driver to a shop, the price you pay will include his commission - so do explore shops independantly before you decide to buy.
Good quality and fairly priced cotton and silk (dhotis, shawls, sarees) can be found at VKTK a short ways down from The GRT Regency.
[edit][add listing] Eat
- Sakthi Ganapathy has 3 branches in the city and has best value for money.
- Sridhar Cafe, Gandhi road.
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan Gandhi road and near bus station. This chain is known for good south Indian food with branches all over. You have the choice of self service, a lunch room with fans, or an a/c room that is nicely cool. Food is consistently good and particularly good for westerners because of high standards for cleanliness.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- GRT Regency - nice hotel with free wireless internet.
- Jaya Bala - near the GRT Regency and above the Saravana Bhavan restaurant. Modest but clean. Inexpensive, attentive staff.
- Babu Soorya
- Heritage Inn
- M M Hotels
[edit] Get out
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