Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in India.
Let’s start its story with its history
Most people know Kanchipuram as the capital of the pallava dynasty.
Most of the building structure and temple were not built by the Kamashi.
But this history of the city is much older than that.The first mention, is found patanjali, which was written in BCE after this, the great poet Kalidas also praised Kanchipuram a lot. After this in 6th century onwards, Pallavas were the rulers. After then, Cholas came and finally, in 15th century Vijayanagar Empire. All of them left their mark on Kanchipuram art, architecture and culture. Aurangzeb defeated Marathas in the 17th century and captured Kanchipuram. Before the invasion, the priests proactively hiding the main idols or send them to other towns. So,
generally the destruction is relatively less here. The temples are intact and the original deities are still here because they come back, later when the invasion was over. So, in many ways, Kanchipuram has stayed the way it was hundreds of year ago. Which is very pretty amazing and very rare to see in Indian city now. Before we explore Kanchipuram.
Exploring Kanchipuram:-
Kanchipuram is known as the city of a thousand temple.
And some of these temples are more than a thousand temples more than a thousand years old.
This isn’t an ordinary temple, but a cave temple And located on the outskirts of the city. So we are starting our exploration in Kanchipuram from the place where the first temple was built. And this a long time back you have to go back hundreds of years. You have to go back to the 6th century when the Pallava dynasty had just started and they built Kanchipuram as their capital. At that time, there was a Pallava King here Mahendravarma. He was a very prolific lovers of art and architecture. So he built the first rock-cut cave temple here where we are going now. This place is called Mamandur and this place is absolutely iconic because this is one of the oldest Hindu temples that you can find anywhere. Period it is old. As the temple style of Pallavas developed, the temples came out of the caves. Stone-cut temples were built in Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram shore temple is very famous. But nothing can beat the beauty of Kailasnathar temple in Kanchi.
Kailasnath temple:-
There is a big temple in the main center, which has around 9 more shrines. All the shrines are dedicated to lord Shiva. So, it is a completely all-out lord Shiva temple. This temple is actually of the 7th century. This is the time when the Pallava kings were their zenith. This has been the first structural temple in South India.
Mumurtivasam:-
Kanchipuram is ‘Mumrtivasam’ that means, here Kamakshi, Shiva and Vishnu reside.
Kamakshi Ammal:-
This temple is so special that every temple in Kanchipurum faces the Kamakshi Amal temple. People come to the Kamakshi Ammal temple in the wish of a child. And it is believed, that you will get that gift from Goddess Kamakshi within a year. Mother goddess is worshipped here and it’s a symbol of fertillty. It’s all about shakti, it’s all about devi, the power of nature and sustainence of life. This temple is closely linked to Shankaracharya ji. It is believed that he came here in the 7th to 8th century.
Along with Devi, Shiva is also much respected here, The most famous temple of Kanchipuram is Ekambareshwar temple.
Every Friday a procession is taken out, and the goddess is taken around on a golden chariot. Vistors and pilgrims can also pull the chariot.
Ekambareshwar temple:-
This temple is very big, 25 acres in area. The gopuram here is huge and is one of the tallest in India. This is the Southern Gopuram and is 59m tall. And it is so important and beautiful that it has become the land mark of the city. Another reason that makes this temple so special is that it is one of the Panchabhut sthalas. Panchabhut sthalas are those places that represent the five elements of nature. And this temple represents the earth. The temple was built by Pallavas in 8th-9th century. Cholas took over and didn’t destroy it, but added to it’s beauty. Last major expansion was in 15th century during Vijayanagara Empire. The famous 1000 pillars hall was built then. The Southern Gopuram was also built during the Vijaynagar empire. Temple inside one mango tree 3000years oldest, Apart from age, it’s special because it represents the four vedas.
Ladu(sub heading):- two ladu cost 50 RS.
Shri Vardhraj Perumal Temple:-
he biggest Vishnu temple, This temple is part of Divya Desam. It is believed that ther were 108 Vishnu temple that the Alwar saints visited. And all these 108 Vishnu templs are know as Divya Desam. This Vishnu temple is considered to be very important among them. This temple has inscription of many different dynasties. And they have all contributed to it’s grown and development over the last 1000+ years. The last major dynasty here was the Vijayanagar Empire. They built a hundred-pillared wall here and there is a very interesting stone chain which you will see, there. Basically, the whole chain is carved out of the same stone. But the most fascinating is a festival held once every 40 years, and next time will be in 2059 . The name of this festival is Ati Varadar. But this festival is very interesting so hear me out . When Islamic invasions were happening here, the priests hid the main deity of the temple , no one knew where they hide it. When the invasions ended, they started the Pooja in the temple again but didn’t find the old idol. So that made a new idol and started the pooja with it. But after 40 years, they found the old idol in a pond. And then the tradition started that every 40 years the idol is taken out of the pond. The idol is worshipped and then left again in the pond for the next 40 years.
This is the pond where the idol of Lord Vishnu stays in the water for 40 years.
Kanchi Math:-
Adi Shankaracharya is credited for the revival of Hinduism in India. He was born in Kerala and attained Moksha at the age of 32. He established Four Dham, which are in Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka and Sringeri.
Adi Shankaracharya:-
Adi Shankaracharya is also known for Advaita Vedanta philosophy, According to which Aham Brahmasmi is the ultimate truth. Adi Shankaracharya ji also spent time in Kanchipuram and it is believed that he took Samadhi at Kamakshi Ammal temple.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara
Kovil Idli:-
Kovil Idli, Kanchipuruam Idli this has a different taste. This Idli is prepared in 12 hours including 3 hours of cooking time. One Idli is 1.5 kg and it costs Rs. 300, 6-7 members can eat it, 3 days expiry date. Kovil means temple in Tamil and so this idli is called temple Idli.
- Sri Jurahareswarar :-
- Kumarakottam Subramanyar:-
- Adhi Kamakshi Ammal Temple:-
- Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple:-
