Things to do in Kanchipuram

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple is located in Kanchipuram, India, and is one of the important Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites in the region, as well as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The main shrine houses a seated idol of Lord Vishnu carved from black stone, depicting him holding a discus and a conch while seated on a lotus throne. The outer corridors of the sanctum are decorated with bas-reliefs from the Chola and Pallava periods. The temple architecture blends Chola and Pallava styles, using granite and sandstone as the primary building materials. The porch pillars are carved with intricate floral and animal motifs, and the main shrine is topped with a multi-tiered pyramidal tower. A pair of gold-plated and silver-plated lizard sculptures hangs at the entrance to the sanctum. The temple also preserves an emerald necklace donated by Robert Clive, which is still used for festival decorations today. As a core center of Vaishnavism in South India, the temple hosts large-scale festivals annually, and daily rituals follow tradition. The temple is currently managed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and is well-maintained. A traditional dress code must be observed when entering.

Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchipuram Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a Hindu temple with a long history and great religious significance. Kanchipuram, where the temple is located, was once the capital of many dynasties and has long been the center of religion and culture in South India. It has a beautiful structure with towering tower gates. The tower body is decorated with various exquisite statues and patterns, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. Walking into the temple, the stone pillars and walls inside are engraved with scenes from myths and religious legends. Every carving is lifelike, as if telling the ancient beliefs and history, making people feel the strong religious atmosphere and profound cultural heritage. It is not only an important pilgrimage site for Hindu believers, but also a treasure of Indian traditional culture and architectural art. It carries people's yearning and pursuit for a better life, attracting countless people to come and experience its unique charm.

Krishna's Butter Ball

Krishna's Butter Ball is a massive balanced rock in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India, located near a complex of ancient rock carvings. This hemispherical granite boulder, weighing approximately 250 tons and measuring approximately 5 meters in diameter, rests securely on a natural rock face approximately 1.2 meters high. It appears poised to fall at any moment, yet miraculously maintains its balance. Legend has it that the rock symbolizes the Hindu deity Krishna's childhood experience of eating butter. The rock is approximately 1,200 years old and remains firmly in place to this day. In 1908, Arthur Havelock, then the Governor of Madras, attempted to move it using seven elephants, but failed. This further reinforced its mystique as a natural wonder. Krishna's Butter Ball is part of the Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and attracts countless visitors to witness this remarkable blend of nature and culture.

Ekambaranathar Temple

Ekambaranathar Temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest and most important Shiva temples in India and is one of the Earth temples, symbolizing the Earth among the five elements. Its history dates back to 600 BC, and most of the existing structures were built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century, with subsequent expansions and renovations by dynasties such as the Chola and Vijayanagara. It covers an area of approx. 23 acres, and the main entrance tower is 59m high. The temple features the "Hall of Thousand Pillars," built by the Vijayanagara dynasty, which displays statues of 63 Shiva saints. Additionally, there is a mango tree in the temple believed to be 3,500 years old, with four branches said to bear four different types of mangoes. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is seated alongside Goddess Parvati. Additionally, there is a small Vishnu temple within the complex, which is one of the 108 Vishnu holy sites.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Kanchipuram

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology in Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the oldest reptile conservation parks in India, located near the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, south of Chennai. Established in the 1970s, the center aims to protect the three crocodile species native to India. With the development of conservation efforts, it has grown to become one of the world's largest reptile parks, home to a variety of species including crocodiles, turtles, lizards, and snakes. This includes many endangered species, some of which are listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The park features multiple exhibits where visitors can observe these ancient reptiles up close and learn about their behaviors and conservation status. In addition, the park features a snake venom extraction center, showcasing the process and applications of venom extraction. Through interactive displays and commentary, visitors can not only gain knowledge but also enhance their environmental awareness.

Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas)

Built in the second half of the 7th century, the Panchakarma Temples, each carved from a single stone, are modeled after the chariots used in Hindu ceremonies and rituals. They are a prototype of the Dravidian architectural style of South India. The temple towers are slightly trapezoidal, tapering upwards to a chariot-shaped hood. These temples were originally buried in the sand, obscured from view. Today, they are considered exquisite sculptures.

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple

The Shore Temple, located on the coast of Kanchipuram, was built by King Narasimha Varman I in the late 7th century. Originally, there were seven temples, but years of erosion and weathering by wind and waves have slowly eroded away six of them. The temple itself is small, but its elegant form represents a masterpiece of Pallava art. Constructed entirely of granite, it represents one of the earliest examples of stone temples in South India, reflecting the simple and elegant architectural style of this period.

Blue Flag Beach- TTDC

India Seashell Museum

Kovalam Beach