Kanchipuram, India: travel guide
Silk weavers and towering Dravidian temples in Tamil Nadu
City of Thousand Temples and famed Kanchipuram silk — one of seven sacred Hindu cities, home to towering Dravidian temples spanning 2,000 years.
About Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is an old temple city in Tamil Nadu, southwest of Chennai, counted among the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. Its skyline is full of gopurams, and its weavers have made the city's name synonymous with silk saris.
The Kailasanathar Temple is among the oldest and most distinctive, carved in soft sandstone, while the Ekambareswarar Temple has a tall gateway and a great mango tree associated with its shrine. Visit also the Kamakshi Amman Temple and the Varadharaja Perumal Temple. Weaving workshops and cooperative showrooms let you see how the silk is made.
It works as a day trip from Chennai or Mahabalipuram and suits temple and textile enthusiasts. The best time to visit Kanchipuram is from November to February, when the days are cooler.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- MAA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kanchipuram
Kamakshi Amman Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the principal Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, a major centre of Sri-Vidya worship with a golden-roofed central shrine.
Ekambareswarar Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast Shiva temple representing the earth element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, with a towering 59-m gopuram and a 3,500-year-old mango tree.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A grand Vishnu temple of the Vijayanagara era, famed for its 100-pillared hall with intricate carvings and a great 1,000-year-old festival idol.
Kailasanathar Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest temple in Kanchipuram, an 8th-century Pallava sandstone masterpiece with delicate carvings, niche shrines and a serene, uncrowded atmosphere.
Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Centre
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The living heart of the famed Kanchipuram silk-saree industry, where you can watch master weavers at their looms and shop directly from cooperatives.
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (Sankara Matham)
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The historic seat of the Sankaracharya, a revered Advaita monastery and pilgrimage centre at the heart of Kanchipuram's spiritual life.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of India's oldest bird sanctuaries ~30 km away, where thousands of migratory waterbirds nest around a shallow lake each winter.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An 8th-century Pallava Vishnu temple notable for its tiered sanctum and a cloister of carved panels depicting Pallava dynastic history.
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A striking Vishnu temple housing a giant Trivikrama (Vamana) idol shown striding across the worlds, one of the Divya Desams.
Kanchi Kudil (Heritage House)
Museum · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored century-old traditional Tamil home opened as a heritage museum, showing rural Kanchipuram domestic life, utensils and architecture.
Things to do
- Kanchipuram Temple Trail Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Silk Saree Weaving Workshop Cultural · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Kailasanathar Pallava Art Tour Cultural · 1.3 h · from INR 600 per person
- Vedanthangal Birding Day Trip Wildlife · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kanchipuram Temples & Silk Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Kanchipuram from Chennai Day Trip 10 h · from INR 2,500
- Vedanthangal Birding Excursion 5 h · from INR 1,300
Where to stay in Kanchipuram
- Temple City about INR 2,000 per night
Sacred town with temples and pilgrimage accommodation
Hotels
- GRT Regency Kanchipuram 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night
- Hotel Baboo Soorya 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- Hotel Jaybala International 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- MM Hotel 3-star · INR 2,200 to INR 4,000 per night
- Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC) 2-star · INR 1,800 to INR 3,500 per night
- Hotel Sri Sakthi Residency 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 2,800 per night
Where to eat
- Saravana Bhavan Kanchipuram South Indian, North Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Mess) South Indian, Tamil · about INR 180 per person
- Sri Krishna Sweets Sweets, Snacks, South Indian · about INR 150 per person
- Sri Rama Cafe South Indian · about INR 120 per person
- Abirami Restaurant South Indian, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 250 per person
- GRT Restaurant (Regency) North Indian, South Indian, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Anna Mess Chettinad, Tamil, Biryani · about INR 250 per person
- Hotel Tamil Nadu Restaurant (TTDC) South Indian, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
Getting to Kanchipuram
Nearest airport: Madras (MAA), about 55 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Kanchipuram
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Kanchipuram?
- The highest-rated places in our Kanchipuram guide are Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (Sankara Matham).
- Where should I stay in Kanchipuram?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kanchipuram: Temple City.
- How do I get around Kanchipuram?
- Ways to get around Kanchipuram covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Kanchipuram?
- The nearest airport to Kanchipuram has the code MAA.