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| Kanchipuram Beach |
Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a district is in the northeast of Tamil Nadu, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. It is bounded in the west by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts, in the north by Thiruvallur District and Chennai District, in the south by Viluppuram District. It lies between 11° 00' to 12° 00' North latitudes and 77° 28' to 78° 50' East longitudes. The district has a total geographical area of 4,432 km² and coastline of 57 km. The town of Kanchipuram is the district headquarters.
The district alone produces over 15,000 engineering graduates every year, same as Gujarat state.
The history of Kanchi can be traced back to several centuries before the advent of the Christian era. The place finds its name in Patanjali's Mahabhashya, written in the second century B.C. Manimekalai, the famous Tamil classic, and Perumpanattu Padai, a great Tamil poetical work, vividly describe Kanchipuram city, as it was at the beginning of the Christian era. Pathupattu, one of the sangam literatures, reads that the king Thondaiman Ilandirayan ruled this town around 2500 years ago.
Kancheepuram District had been administered by the Pallavas, Cholas, Vijayanagar rulers, Muhammadan Kings, and the British before Independence. It was a part of Tondaimandalam, a division of the ancient Tamil country, roughly comprising the present day districts of Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Thiruvannamalai. The capital of Thondaimandalam was Kancheepuram city. From the 3rd to the 9th century A.D. Kanchi was the capital of the Pallavas who ruled over the territory extending from the river Krishna in the north to the river Kaveri in the south. The Pallavas fortified the city with ramparts, moats, etc., with wide and well laid out roads and fine temples. They were a great maritime power with contacts with far-off China, Siam, Fiji, etc., through their chief Port Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram). The Cholas ruled this region from the 10th century to the 13th century. Kings of Vijayanagar dynasty ruled from 14th century to 17th century.
Tourist attractions of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram :
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| Hyundai's manufacturing plant in Kanchipuram |
Kanchipuram is a spectacular Temple city known as city of thousand temples which reflects the Glorious Traditions of South India with its noted temples. The 192 feet high temple tower of Ekamabaranadhar temple and the 100-pillar mandabam (building) in Varadaraja Perumal temple in this town are famous, and are considered marvels of the architectural techniques of Vijayanagara Dynasty. The British Viceroy Robert Clive, who is responsible for the British rule in India, had exclaimed the architectural techniques of Varadharaja perumal temple and presented a fabulous jewelry to this temple. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. The city is quite famous for its silk sarees, considered to be one of the best varieties of silk sarees.
Vedanthangal :
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| Kanchipuram Temple |
It is one of the major Water Bird Sanctuaries in India, 48 km from Kanchipuram. Storks, Egrets, Cormorants, Darter, Flamingos, Pelicans, moor hens, herons, kingfishers, sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails are some of the birds which arrive here during season. The best time to visit is between October and March, when a large number of migratory birds visit. The birds can be viewed from the bank or from the watch tower.
Muttukadu :
This is a large lake formed out of the backwaters from Bay of Bengal. It has boating and wind surfing facilities.
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| Temple of Kanchipuram |
It is located at a distance of 80 km from Kanchipuram . The backwaters of Muttukkadu have been developed by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a picnic spot and a center for water sports. Training and demonstration programmes are also organised for beginners.
Mamallapuram :
It was a flourishing port town during the time of Pallavas. This is one of the main tourist places in kanchipuram. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art. The group of sculptures in Mamallapuram are listed out by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Covelong :
This is a small fishing village 40 km from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road. There are the remains of a fort, which now functions as a luxury beach resort. Facilities for windsurfing and swimming are available here. A dargah and an ancient church are also located here.
The Crocodile Bank :
Just 14 km from Mamallapuram is this crocodile breeding center. At this center, about 5000 crocodiles of 6 different species, alligators & other reptiles are bred in captivity, kept in open, marshy enclosures. There is also a snake farm where anti venom is produced and there is a regular venom extraction show.
Dakshina Chitra :
Dakshina Chitra has relocated 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses and re-created village streets and work places providing authentic insights into the domestic architecture, spatial organisation, life-styles and character of the essential Tamil or Keralite or Andhrite or Kannadiga. |
