Day 1 – Kanchipuram
Date: 25-Oct-2015
Our first destination for the trip was Kanchipuram (Kanchi), a historic city in Tamil Nadu renowned for its ancient temples and world-famous silk sarees. As planned, we started from Bangalore at 4:30 AM along with my in-laws, who joined us for both the family function and the sightseeing. Early morning departures had become a routine for us by then. Over several trips, we had realized that starting before sunrise helped us avoid traffic, clear toll plazas quickly, and reach destinations exactly as planned while enjoying peaceful drives.
Journey to Kanchipuram
We travelled via the well-maintained AH43 and AH45 highways. By 7:30 AM, we reached Vellore, where we planned to have breakfast at a Saravana Bhavan restaurant located inside the city. Although the food quality was excellent, we felt the portions were small and comparatively expensive.
After breakfast, we resumed our journey at around 8:30 AM. The distance between Vellore and Kanchipuram is approximately 72 km, and the excellent road conditions helped us reach Kanchipuram at exactly 10:00 AM, just as we had estimated.
Once the capital of the powerful Pallava dynasty, Kanchipuram is often called the City of Thousand Temples because of its rich collection of ancient religious monuments. Since we had limited time before heading to Chennai, we decided to visit four of the city’s most prominent temples.
Kailasanathar Temple
- Timings: 6 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 8 PM
- Entry fee: none
Our first stop was the historic Kailasanathar Temple, considered the oldest surviving temple in Kanchipuram. Built during the Pallava period between 685 and 705 AD, the temple stands as an impressive example of early Dravidian architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple’s most distinctive feature is the series of 58 shrines that surround the main sanctum. Each shrine is adorned with beautifully sculpted pillars featuring mythical lion motifs, a hallmark of Pallava craftsmanship. The intricate carvings throughout the temple showcase the artistic excellence of the era.
We spent some time admiring the sculptures and architecture before attending a pooja offered by the temple priest. After the rituals, we continued to our next destination.
Ekambaranathar (Ekambareshwarar) temple
- Timings: 6 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM -8.30 PM
- Entry fee: none
Located about 2 km from Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambaranathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered the largest temple in Kanchipuram. The towering 59-meter Raja Gopuram immediately caught our attention. It is one of the tallest temple towers in India and dominates the city’s skyline. Another major attraction is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagara period. The scale and symmetry of the structure are impressive.
The temple’s inner walls feature an array of 1,008 Shiva lingams, while its most revered attraction is the sacred mango tree believed to be around 3,000 years old. Although the temple does not feature as many intricate carvings as some other South Indian temples, its monumental scale, towering gopuram, and historical significance make it a must-visit landmark.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
- Timings: 5.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 8.30 PM
- Entry fee: none
Our next stop was the famous Kamakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, a form of Parvati. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Kanchipuram and attracts devotees from across India. Although the temple is believed to have origins dating back many centuries, much of the present structure is associated with the Chola period.
The road leading to the temple was narrow and packed with tourist vehicles. Upon entering the premises, we saw a very long queue waiting for darshan. Since we were running short of time and the wait appeared to be at least an hour, we reluctantly decided not to join the queue.
Instead, we walked around the temple complex, admiring its four entrance towers and the sacred temple tank. Missing the opportunity to enter one of Kanchipuram’s most revered temples was disappointing, but we had to continue with our schedule.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
- Timings: 7.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 3.30 PM to 8.30 PM
- Entry fee: none
We left Kamakshi Amman Temple around noon and immediately encountered heavy traffic. The route to Varadharaja Perumal Temple passed through the bustling streets of Kanchipuram, lined with the city’s famous handwoven silk saree shops. Because of the congestion, it took nearly 30 minutes to cover the short distance. We arrived at the temple at around 12:25 PM, just minutes before closing time. Fortunately, the authorities allowed us inside.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple dates back to the Chola period and is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in South India. Although the temple was crowded and we could not explore it thoroughly, several architectural features stood out.
The magnificent 100-pillared hall, believed to have been constructed during the Vijayanagara Empire, showcases exceptional stone craftsmanship. Each pillar is intricately carved, but the most remarkable feature is the massive stone chain sculpted from a single block of stone. It remains a stunning example of Vijayanagara artistry and engineering.
Journey to Chennai
By the time we completed our visit to Varadharaja Perumal Temple, it was around 1:00 PM. Chennai was roughly a two-hour drive away. The road conditions were good, but the intense afternoon heat made the drive less enjoyable. We reached Tambaram at around 3:00 PM and stopped for lunch at Anandha Bhavan. During my time in Chennai between 2009 and 2010, I had lived in Tambaram, so revisiting the area brought back many memories. Interestingly, the locality had changed very little over the years.
After lunch, we checked into our hotel at around 4:30 PM. The accommodation was comfortable, and the wedding venue was approximately 10 km away. After a short rest, we got ready for the wedding reception and reached the venue by 6:30 PM.
Travel snapshot
Kanchipuram offered a fascinating glimpse into the architectural brilliance of the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara rulers. Every temple we visited reflected a different chapter of South India’s rich cultural heritage. While the crowds prevented us from fully exploring some attractions, the grandeur of the ancient temples left a lasting impression on us.
Revisiting Tambaram after several years added a personal and nostalgic touch to the day. By evening, we had successfully combined a memorable heritage tour with our family function in Chennai.
- Route Traveled: BTM Layout > Hosur > Vellore > Kanchipuram > Chennai
Toll expenses:
| Toll Plaza Name | Fee (Single journey, Car) |
| Attibele | 25 |
| Krishnagiri | 60 |
| Vaniyambadi | 75 |
| Pallikonda | 75 |
| Chennasamudram | 40 |
| Total | 275 |
See also:
I have been only to Kamakshi amman temple. Need to plan for kanchipuram again.
Yeah.. there are number of temples in Kanchi apart from these temples I mentioned.. Plan accordingly..