Temples in Kanchipuram

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu. Kamakshi comes from the three words Ka, Ma and Aksh. Ka means Saraswati, Ma means Lakshmi and Aksh means eyes. The Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. This is where the Navel of the Goddess Sati had fallen when Shiva was taking around her body. It is believed that Southern India is well known for its religious culture and the Kamakshi Amman Temple represents an important stone from the past. Set in the middle of Kanchipuram, also known as the City of Temples, this place of worship is home to the divine Goddess Kamakshi who is believed to be an avatar of Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love, richness and strength.

Sri Kachabeswarar Temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The main deity Sri Kachabeswarar is in the form of Shiva Lingam, which is said to be Swayambhu. Goddess Anjanakshi Ambaal faces south, her idol tall and beautiful grace on her face. Many smaller shrines of Ganesha, Karthikeya, Saraswathi and Bhairava are on the outer parikarma path. There is also a beautiful pond for this temple known as Koorma Theertham. It is also believed that asura guru Sukracharya worshipped here to get Mruthsanjeevini and Vajrayakkai. Another story of the temple describes how the Lord himself to be a Brahmin, performed Bhiksha to feed his devotee Sri Sundaramurthy Naayanaar who was tired and hungry due to the long walk to the temple.

Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the best places to see in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The literal meaning of the temple is The God who Solve cases. It is believed that people who have extended cases issues visit here and perform various rituals like puja and Abhishek on every Monday to seek blessings from Lord Siva in the form of Vazhakarutheeswarar(Linga). One should offer puja in this temple continuously for sixteen Mondays so they can get favourable results.

Chitragupta Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupta, who is said to be the Yama, the Hindu god of death. According to the local legend, the deity of Chitragupta was set as an accountant of the good and the bad deeds of humans. The temple was built during the 9th century by the Cholas and was later expanded and reconstructed. Chitragupta temple is one of a kind temple and is the fewest temple dedicated to Chitragupta in the world. Women who visit the temple keep a fast to please Chitragupta and seek his blessings. Also, the festival celebrated in the Chitragupta temple is the Chitragupta wedding ceremony on Chitra Pournami, devotees will perform special poojas on this day.

Ulagalanthar Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the 108 Divya Desams located near to the Kamakshi Amman Temple in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The temple deity has an idol of Vishnu in the form of the Vamana which stands about 35 feet tall with a width of 24 feet in a pose that represents Lord Vishnu has one foot on planet earth and the other on the skies. Vamana as Vishnu took one step to possess Heaven, a second step to possess the Earth and there was no third step, so Mahabali bowed down and prayed Lord to keep the third step on his hand. Vamana pushed Mahabali to Pathala Loka and asked him to rule the Pathala, thus saved Earth and Heaven.

Sri Yathothkari Perumal Temple is also known as Tiruvekkaa Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Yathothkari Perumal along with Goddess Lakshmi as Komalavalli. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram. Also, the temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year like Brahmotsavam, Aipassi Thiruvonam, Alvar Utsavam and Thai Magam festival.

Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the five major Shiva temples or Pancha Bootha Sthalams. The deity of this Temple is Ekambareswarar worshipped as the Prithivi Lingam. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. The sand Shivalinga made by Mother Kamakshi adores the sanctum. The hand symbol of Mother is in favour of the Lord is still visible on the Linga. A Somaskanda panel featuring Shiva, Parvati and Skanda adorns the back of the main shrine, which has been held in worship for centuries together. Also many festivals like Ani Tirumanjanam, Aadi Kritikai, Avani Moolam, Thai Poosam, Karthikai Deepam are celebrated.

Vaikunta Perumal Temple or Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram is a temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu, located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one among the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his partner Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli. The Temple was built by the Pallava king Nandivarman and was completed in the 7th century A.D. There are three different levels of the main shrine and a number of sculptures of Lord Vishnu which are quite big in size represent the Lord in sitting, standing and lying down postures.