Chitragupta Temple
It is a small temple (compared to other big temples of Kanchipuram!) but according to the archeologists this temple is the oldest one in Kanchipuram (built in 9th century AD. Devotees keep the shoes outside and offers specific seed to the God and lightens lamps . Lord Chitragupta is seen as seated with his one leg folded above the other. This is a rare temple as usually you will not find a temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupta. Lord Chitragupta keeps records of good and bad deeds of human being and he is the accountant of God of death “Yama”. During Chitra Purnima (in April) festival is held at Chitragupta temple. Outside the temple you can find books on Chitragupta Swamy written in English.
Chitragupta Temple
Chitragupta Temple
Chitragupta Temple
Ulagananda Perumal Swami Temple/ Vamana Murthi Temple
Lord Vishnu is worshipped in Vaman (dwarf) Avatar (one of 10 Avatars).Maharaja Bali thought he is capable of giving anything to anyone. Then Lord Vishnu came infront of him in Vaman or dwarf form and asked for 3 feet of land. Maharaja Bali laughed at this wish and granted against his guru Shukracharya’s warning. Then Lord Vishnu started to grow and kept one leg from heaven to earth and another leg from earth to netherworld or patala. Maharaja Bali was unable to provide land for another leg and hence asked Lord to keep the third leg on his head. As Lord Vishnu was pleased seeing Maharaja Bali’s kindness he gave him netherworld to rule.
Ulagananda Perumal Swami Temple
This temple is one of 108 Divyasthanams of Lord Vishnu. Inside the temple Lord Vishnu’s huge stone statue can be seen inside standing on Raja Bali (a benevolent Asura king).
Ulagananda Perumal Swami Temple
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
A lady selling flowers in front of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Enter through the main gate (before entering you can buy flowers!). Worshipping can be seen on giant screens outside the main temple. This temple is the only Shakti shrine dedicated to only Goddess Laxmi in Kanchipuram where there are many Shiva shrines.
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
This temple is one of the prominent temples in Kanchipuram. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped here holding sugarcane. When we went there it was Ratha Saptami (an auspicious day). The temple was decorated with sugarcane (people said those were the sweetest varieties of sugarcane which were offered to the Goddess), flowers and rangoli (art on the floor with colorful powders). Inside there is first Nagaraj or Naga Subramaniam temple. Then there are carvings of different Gods and Goddesses. One interesting thing about this temple is that inside carvings of Ganesha with 6 to 8 hands is there, normally 4 hands are seen (carvings are very old so could not count exact no. of hands). There is carvings of Mahishasura mardini (Goddess Durga) on the wall.
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
This is an old temple of Kanchipuram built by the Pallava rulers. The temple complex is huge. After visiting the main temple visit second part of the temple where you can take unlimited photos infront of the fountain. If you are thirsty there is “Jalaprasadam” counter where you can drink purified drinking water. There are few small temples near the pond.
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
On the entry you will go through huge architecturally beautiful gate with a big nameplate “Sri Ekambarnathar Temple”. Temple is open from 6am to 12.30pm and again from 4pm to 8.30pm. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nandi – carrier and disciple of Lord Shiva is there before you enter main temple part.
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
On the roof Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati sitting on carrier “Nandi” or bull, Lord Ganesha sitting on his carrier “mushak” or rat, Lord Kartik sitting on his carrier “Mayur” or peacock and Lord Shiva’s violent avatar can be seen.
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
On the left side of statue of Nandi you can see many women making floral hair accessories (from jasmine flower). There is a pond near the temple. One thing to be noticed is that the pillar
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
Original Thousands year old Mango tree stem at Sri Ekambarnathar Temple
You can see part of original mango tree kept inside the glass which is said to be 3500 years old. Later through tissue culture the tree was regenerated and planted in a separate place. Today people go and worship the tree. I saw many kid’s toy swing kept near the tree. It is believed that sacred mango tree listens to the prayers of childless couple who pray with whole heart.
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham or Kanchi Math is associated with Adi Shankaracharya, a follower of Shaivism. Present math is a modern building. On the entry you will see paintings of Adi Shankaracharya and different Gods and Goddesses. Inside the math there is a book stall and you can buy books related to Adi Shankaracharya and Vedas.
Kailashnathar Temple
Kailashnathar Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is the oldest temple in Kanchipuram. We visited this temple during evening and with the lights on the temple looked wonderful. In front of the entry of the temple on right hand side you can see pond or theertham tank which was dry when we visited.
Kailashnathar Temple
Outside the main temple you can see mythical lions in standing position carved on the walls and this is the speciality of this temple. The temple is built of sandstones. It is said that later Varadaraja Perumal temple was built after seeing the architecture of this temple.
When you are walking inside the main temple during “parikrama” you can see various postures of Lord Shiva carved on the wall. Lord Shiva can be found sitting with Goddess Parvati, Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartik.
Kailashnathar Temple
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. When we visited it was Ratha Saptami. People made rangoli in front of their house before a huge chariot or ratha passed that path.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
The temple complex is huge. The fig tree inside the complex is considered auspicious.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Devotees offer lightened lamp and coconut (breaks on the floor) in front of the main temple.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple – Chariot procession
There are two versions of Lord Vishnu – Moolavar and Ichavar. Moolavar always stays inside the temple. Ichavar looks after the city. During our visit we saw many young and healthy men carrying the chariot on their shoulders. After city tour of Ichavar is over special holy mantras are chanted by the priests and worshipping is done.
Devotees at Varadaraja Perumal temple pray to Ichavar
Inside Varadaraja Perumal Temple complex there is Golden Lizard and Silver Lizard temple. You have to get Rs.2/- ticket for each person just before entering the place where Golden Lizard and Silver Lizard are there. Then climb the stairs to touch Golden Lizard and Silver Lizard. It is believed that if you touch both the lizards all of your sins will be forgiven. So whenever people visit Kanchipuram they do not forget to visit Golden Lizard and Silver Lizard.
Yathothkari Perumal Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu built by the Pallava rulers. Apart from Lord Vishnu Goddess Saraswati can be seen alongwith Rama, Seeta, Hanuman and Gaduda. The temple closes at 7.30pm.
Yathothkari Perumal Temple
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