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KANCHIPURAM
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Kanchipuram is a Spectacular Temple city known as city of thousand temples, is one of India's Seven Sacred cities. It reflects the Glorious Traditions of South India with its noted temples. Temples in Kanchipuram are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of Kanchipuram and are repositories of the magnificent art forms that evolved over several centuries. The city was the political capital of the Pallava rulers during the 7th - 9th centuries.
Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage.
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Things not to be missed:
EKAMBARESWARA TEMPLE
The most famous Siva temple at Kanchipuram is the Ekambareswara temple where the 11-storey structure temple tower adorned with beautiful sculptures is one of the tallest temple towers in south India.
The ancient mango tree in the courtyard is worshipped by all even today with great veneration. It has got four branches representing the four Vedas. Each branch bears fruit with a different taste and the leaves are also different in appearance.
The temple has silver and gold-plated vahanams of considerable value. Originally built by the Pallavas, this large Siva temple was later reconstructed by the Chola and Vijaynagara kings.
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KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE
It was constructed mostly of limestone. The walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines. It has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvati in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions.
It is the only temple at Kanchipuram, which is not cluttered with the more recent additions of the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers. Fragments of the 8th century murals which once graced the alcoves are a visible remainder of how magnificent the temple must have looked when it was first built. The remnants of an escape tunnel built by the kings is displayed with pride, even now.
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VARADARAJA TEMPLE
Varadarajar temple is a massive and impressive edifice. The Hundred-Pillar-hall erected during the Vijayanagar period in this temple is noted for its exquisite sculptures. The entire masterpiece has been sculpted out of a single rock. The ornamental rings carved out of a single stone in a chain at the four corners are the special features of the hall. This is an extremely large temple with abundant sculptures. This temple is made up of several sub-shrines. The sculptures and paintings in this temple are absolutely amazing.
KAMAKSHIAMMAN TEMPLE
Kamakshi is said to be the Supergoddess, Parasakti, having Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati as her eyes. She blesses all that dedicate themselves to her. This temple was built by cholas in the fourteenth century. It is one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India the other two being Madurai and Varanasi. Here, the goddess is worshipped in the form of a Chakra placed in front of the idol.
VAIKUNDA PERUMAL TEMPLE
Sri Vaikunda Perumal, temple is famous for its architecture. The Lord is in the sitting posture. It has great sculptures and inscription, which speak of its history and the history of the city itself. Its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars.
Handloom-Industry
Apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. The silk weavers of Kanchi settled more than 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in the country. Woven from pure mulberry silk, the sarees in dazzling colours are embellished with fine gold thread and are available in every imaginable design and variety, which can make the job of selection quite challenging. More than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry and their spectacular creations are marketed by a number of co-operative societies, located all over the state.
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