Kanchipuram, often referred to as the “City of Thousand Temples,” is one of the most ancient and sacred cities in India. Nestled in Tamil Nadu, it is a spiritual hub for devotees of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. With its divine energy, intricate Dravidian architecture, and mythological richness, Kanchipuram draws pilgrims, historians, and spiritual seekers from across the world. Explore 10 of the most famous temples in this holy town, each holding unique religious significance.
1. Kamakshi Amman Temple
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Deity: Goddess Kamakshi (form of Parvati)
The Kamakshi Amman Temple, also known as Kamakoti Nayaki Kovil, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, one of the highest manifestations of Adi Parashakti, the Supreme Goddess in Shaktism. While the main deity is Kamakshi, the temple also houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) avatar.
Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped in five divine forms:
- Sri Kamakshi Para Bhattarika
- Tapa Kamakshi
- Anjana Kamakshi
- Swarna Kamakshi
- Utsava Kamakshi
The annual festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Masi (mid-February to mid-March), featuring grand events like the Ther (Chariot) Festival and the Theppam (Float) Festival.
- Navaratri
- Aadi Pooram and Aippasi Pooram
- Vasantha Utsavam
- All Fridays are considered highly auspicious for worship. In particular, Fridays in the Tamil months of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) and Thai (mid-January to mid-February)
Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannadhi Street, Periya Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
2. Ekambareswarar Temple
Deity: Lord Shiva
The Ekambareswarar Temple (also known as Ekambaranathar Temple or Kacchi Ekamban Tirukkoyil) is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple holds immense significance in Saivism as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams—five temples representing the five elements of nature. Ekambareswarar Temple symbolizes the element of Earth (Prithvi).
In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a lingam, known as the Prithvi Lingam, and is revered as Ekambareswarar, Ekambaranathar, or Rajalingeswarar. His divine consort Goddess Parvati, is worshipped here as Elavarkuzhali. Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India. It features four majestic gopurams (gateway towers). It is known for Aayiram Kaal mandapam, the "Hall of Thousand pillars" is a magnificent structure located just beyond the gateway tower. The Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Shrine, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and considered one of the sacred 108 Divya Desams.
The grandest celebration at the temple is the Panguni Brahmotsavam, held annually in the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April). This ten-day festival concludes with the Kalyanotsavam, the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati.
Address: Ekambaranathar Sannidhi Street, Periya Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
3. Kailasanathar Temple
Deity: Lord Shiva (Kailasanatha)
The Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, also known as the Kailasanatha Temple, is a historic Hindu shrine built during the Pallava era. Constructed around 700 CE by Narasimhavarman II, with later additions by Mahendravarman III, it stands as one of the oldest surviving monuments in Kanchipuram and showcases early Dravidian architecture. The temple’s walls bear ancient inscriptions, making it an important site for the epigraphical study of Tamil temple traditions and regional history.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Kailasanathar, symbolizing the Lord of Mount Kailash. It houses intricate sculptures of Shiva in various forms, including Tripurantaka and Ardhanarishvara. A unique feature of the temple is its narrow circumambulatory passage. Devotees crawl through it and emerge from the other side, symbolizing rebirth and the spiritual journey from birth to Moksha. The exit is revered as the Gate of Birth (Pirapppu Vaasal), representing the belief in liberation from the cycle of life and death.
The most important festival celebrated here is Maha Shivaratri, when thousands of devotees gather in the evening to offer prayers and seek blessings from the deity.
Address: Pillaiyarpalayam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501.
The Varadharaja Perumal Temple, also known by names such as Hastagiri, Attiyuran, Perarulalan Perumal Temple, Kanchi Koil, and Thirukatchi, is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Vishnu revered by the 12 Alvars (poet-saints). Situated in Vishnu Kanchi, a suburb rich in Vaishnavite heritage, the temple is a major pilgrimage center.
The temple holds nearly 350 inscriptions from various dynasties such as the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, and others, providing valuable insights into the history and temple patronage of the region.
A unique aspect of the temple is the deity Atthi Varadaraja Perumal (Atthi Varadar), a 10-foot idol made from the sacred Atthi (fig) tree. This deity is preserved in an underground chamber within the Anantha Sarovaram (temple tank). It is brought out for public worship once every 40 years for 48 days, during which it is placed in the Vasantha Mantapam
Address: Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501.
5. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
Deity: Lord Vishnu in his Trivikrama form (Vamana avatar)
Ulagalandha Perumal Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Built in the traditional Dravidian architectural style, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams—sacred Vishnu temples praised in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon composed by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE.
In this temple, Vishnu is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal, and his consort Lakshmi is revered as Amuthavalli. The temple commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, where he appeared as a Brahmin dwarf to subdue the pride of the asura king Mahabali. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared here in his Ulagalantha form before both King Mahabali and the Alvars. Uniquely, the temple houses four Divya Desams within its premises: Tirukkaravanam, Tirukarakam, Tiruürakam, and Tiruneerakam.
- Chariot Festival (Ther Thiruvizha) during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April)
- Brahmotsavam in Thai (January–February)
- Vamana Jayanthi, observed on the Sravanam star in Avani (August–September)
Address: Big Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
The Vaikunta Perumal Temple is located in the historic village of Uthiramerur in Tamil Nadu and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Built in the classic South Indian architectural style, the shrine houses a statue of Vaikuntha on either side of Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Temple inscriptions reveal that the villagers of Uthiramerur once appealed for the right to elect their own representatives. King Parantaka Chola granted their request and formally established the Kudavolai system of voting.
Under this system, the villagers would gather at a common meeting place, write the names of their chosen candidates on palm leaves, and drop them into a pot. In Tamil, "kudam" means pot and "olai" refers to a palm leaf—hence, the name Kudavolai. These inscriptions go on to detail the rules of the election process and the eligibility criteria for both voters and candidates, showcasing an advanced form of self-governance practiced over a thousand years ago.
Address: Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501.
The Sathyanatheswarar Temple, also known as Karaivananathar Temple or Thirukalimedu Temple, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this temple, Shiva is worshipped as Sathyanatheswarar, while his consort Parvati is venerated as Pramarambikai. The temple holds great spiritual significance as it is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, sanctified in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work Tevaram, composed by the revered Nayanmars (Tamil saint poets).
The temple hosts several important festivals, including:
- Margazhi Tiruvathirai during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January)
- Aipassi Annabishekam during Aippassi (October–November)
- Mahashivaratri, celebrated between February and March
Address: Thirukalimedu, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501
8. Ashtabujakaram Temple
Deity: Lord Vishnu (Ashtabhuja Perumal)
The Ashtabujakaram Temple, also known as Ashtabuja Perumal Temple, is a revered Hindu temple constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is celebrated in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon composed by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
In this temple, Vishnu is worshipped as Ashta Bhuja Perumal (the Lord with Eight Arms), and his divine consort Lakshmi is worshipped as Alamelumangai. A rare form of Vishnu with eight arms symbolizing protection and strength.
Located in South Kanchipuram, it is the fourth-largest temple in the region. Among the various religious celebrations held here, the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, observed over 10 days during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), is the most significant. Other important festivals include Rama Navami, Navaratri, and the Gajendra Moksha festival, which is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August), particularly on the day of the Hastham star.
Address: Big Kanchipuram, Near Kamakshi Amman Temple, Tamil Nadu 631502.
9. Yathothkari Perumal Temple (Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal)
Deity: Lord Vishnu
Tiruvekkaa Temple, also known as Yathothkari Perumal Temple and locally referred to as Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal, is a revered Hindu temple constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon composed by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Here, Vishnu is worshipped as Yathothkari Perumal, and his consort Lakshmi is revered as Komalavalli. According to legend, Yathothkari Perumal appeared for Goddess Saraswati and Thirumalisai Alvar.
The temple conducts six daily rituals and celebrates three annual festivals. It holds special significance as the birthplace of Poigai Alvar, one of the revered Alvars, who was born in the temple's lotus tank.
Among the major festivals celebrated here are the Panguni Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Panguni (April–May) and Poigai Alvar's birth celebration during the Aipassi Thiruvonam star (October–November).
Address: Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501.
10. Chitragupta Temple
Deity: Chitragupta (assistant to Lord Yama)
The Chitragupta Temple is one of the rare Hindu temples dedicated to Chitragupta, the divine accountant and assistant of Yama, the god of death. According to legend, Chitragupta was created by Brahma, emerging from a painting to record the good and bad deeds of human beings.
Built in the 9th century CE by the Chola dynasty, the temple features a three-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower) and a single precinct surrounding the sanctum. The central shrine houses an image of Chitragupta in a seated posture, holding an ezhuthaani (stylus) in his right hand and palm-leaf scripts in his left.
Special New Moon (Amavasya) worship rituals are observed monthly, with the most significant festival being Chitra Pournami, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May).
Chitragupta is revered as the Adidevata (presiding deity) of Ketu, the ninth planet in Hindu astrology. On Chitra Pournami, women devotees often fast or eat food without salt to seek his blessings.
Address: Nellukara Street, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
