To enjoy this tour to its maximum, we suggest that you arrive at Chennai a day before the date stipulated for this Chennai to Kanchipuram tour.
Check-in your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring Chennai’s bustling lifestyle, lip-smacking South Indian cuisine and cultural heritage.
Today morning, have a hearty breakfast at your hotel and be ready to set off for Kanchipuram (73.8 km.) sharp at 9 a.m. in the morning.
Please refer the chart below to understand how we plan to cover Kanchipuram temple tour and other attractions. (The travel route and timings mentioned in the itinerary are suggestive in nature and designed to ensure the most convenient and hassle-free journey. For any modifications, please feel free to contact our tour representatives on 8527255991).
Below is the suggested time table for visiting the famous temples. Adhering to the to below time lines would enable you to visit most of the temples.
You can have your lunch after visiting Kailasanathar Temple. Plan to finish it by 2.00 p.m.
Our one day Chennai to Kanchipuram tour includes the following:
Kamakshi Amman Temple
South India is renowned for its temples known for their spectacular artwork and cultural heritage. Kanchipuram’s Kamakshi Amman Temple is one such spiritual gem that is one of the biggest attractions of this holy city.
It is the holy abode of Goddess Kamakshi, an incarnation of Parvati. Reckoned as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, the temple is an important pilgrimage site for devotees from around the world.
The Hindu shrine is spread over an area of 5 acres, with the entrance adorned with a magnificent Gopuram, beautifully embellished with murals of ancient Gods and Goddesses. The temple style depicts Dravidian architecture that is common in most temples of South India. The sanctum is marked with four unique entrances leading to the Goddess sitting in Padmasana. There is a picturesque pond at the outer boundary of the temple, adding to the peace and serenity of the place.
- Temple Opening and Closing Timings: 5:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. Open on all days
- Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
- Ideal Time: 30-45 minutes
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Next on our Chennai to Kanchipuram tour itinerary is stunning Varadaraja Perumal Temple, a popular Hindu shrine that will engulf you in sheer brilliance. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also called as Perumal Koil and holds immense religious significance to the Hindus and Vaishnavas. The key attraction of the temple is its magnificent architecture with intricate carvings that was built during the erstwhile Chola kingdom.
The colossal temple complex holds 32 shrines, dedicated to gods and goddesses of Hindu faith. The main temple is the abode of the Lord Vishnu, where the idol is made of wood and kept in a silver box immersed in water. There are numerous legends associated with the temple and the Lord, and you can find its mention in ancient scriptures. The main shrine features a 7-tiered Rajagopuram that is 130 feet tall.
Other major highlights of the temple that you cannot miss on your Chennai to Kanchipuram tour are the mural paintings on the ceilings and walls, and the maha mandap, adorned with 100 pillars having the legends of Mahabharata and Ramayana sculpted on them. The shrine has a stone chain that was built with one stone and has carvings of lizards covered in gold. The 40-feet wooden idol of Varadaraja Swami is another feature that attracts travellers in large numbers.
- Temple Opening and Closing Timings: 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Open on all days
- Entry Fee: No; INR 5 for 100 pillared Mandap; INR 50 for photography and INR 100 for video recording
- Ideal Time: 45 minutes
Kailasanathar Temple
The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is one of the most important and sacred among Tamil Nadu’s 2500 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on the banks of River Vedavathi and holds great spiritual value for Hindu devotees who flock the temple in large numbers, especially during the occasion of Mahashivratri. The temple was built during 685 A.D. to 705 A.D. and is the oldest temple in the state. Nestled amid tranquillity and mysticism, this pilgrimage site is indeed a must-visit on your 1-day Chennai to Kanchipuram tour.
The Kailasanathar Temple is one of the greatest examples of Dravidian-style architecture and certainly a marvel to behold. The temple’s foundation is built with granite while the outer structure is made of sandstone. It features 58 small shrines, the sanctum sanctorum, a massive compound wall, the main hall and an entrance or Gopuram. The pillars of the mandap have statues of lions standing in glory. The main temple has intricate carvings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in different dance forms.
However, the primary attraction of the temple is the 16-sided Shivlinga that is built of black granite and gracefully adorns the main shrine with impeccable religious significance. The walls are carved with the images of Hindu gods and goddesses such as Vishnu, Brahma, Ma Durga, Nandi and Lord Shiva. Visit Kailasanathar Temple on your Chennai to Kanchipuram tour and it will surely awe you with its marvellous beauty and mystic aura.
- Temple Opening and Closing Timings: 6:00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Open on all days
- Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
- Ideal Time: 45 minutes
Ekambareswarar Temple
Stop over at the next famous highlight of Kanchipuram, the Ekambareswarar Temple. Lord Shiva is the main deity here and is worshipped as Ekambaranathar or Ekambareswarar. The temple houses Lord Shiva and His beloved consort Gowri Devi Amman. Witness the shrine’s indomitable spiritualism and cultural heritage on your one-day Kanchipuram tour. However, it is the splendid architecture of the temple that attracts visitors from around the world.
As you step inside the temple, the wonderful entrances with soaring Gopurams will catch your eyes. The highest among these is the 11-storied Gopuram with a massive height of 55 metres. The fascinating layouts and artistically-designed halls enhance the brilliance of the temple. The temple complex covers a unique shrine of Lord Vishnu as Nilathingal Thundam Perumal and a separate one for Nataraja, a form of Lord Shiva.
Another major highlight that you cannot miss on your 1-day Chennai to Kanchipuram tour is the thousand-pillared hall or the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam that was built during the Vijayanagar dynasty.
- Temple Opening and Closing Timings: 6:00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Open on all days
- Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
- Ideal Time: 45 minutes
Kumarakottam Temple
Pay your homage and seek blessings of the Almighty at the Kumarakottam Temple, a famous Hindu shrine in Kanchipuram dedicated to Lord Muruga. He is the son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered the Hindu god of war. It is also known as Subramanyam Swamy Temple. The shrine is nestled between Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple which exhibits the Somaskanda form where Muruga sits in between Lord Shiva and Parvati.
The fabulous wall paintings and amazing carvings of the temple is a rare sight that you will cherish on your Chennai to Kanchipuram tour. The shrine also features Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar with Sarabeswarar and Abitha Kuchlambal presented in a pillar. It also houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Urugum Ulla Perumal. Several beautiful models of peacocks can be found throughout the temple, most significant to Lord Murugan.
- Temple Opening and Closing Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Open on all days
- Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee Applicable
- Ideal Time: 30 minutes
Kanchipuram Silk Saree Shopping
Being in Kanchipuram, shopping the famous silk sarees is a must! On a serious note, you simply cannot miss the allure of these extravagant silk sarees which are renowned in the country for quality, weave and design. Before you hail back to Chennai, visit some of the best silk saree shops in Kanchipuram to buy some of these beautiful art pieces.
Our tour representative will drop you back to Chennai by 5.30 p.m. in the evening. With this our 1-day Chennai to Kanchipuram tour comes into an end. We promise you the most invigorating spiritual voyage on visiting the iconic landmarks of Kanchipuram. Get back home with the most rewarding experience that you will treasure forever in your minds.
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