Kanchipuram

This article is about the municipality in Tamil Nadu, India. For its namesake district, see Kanchipuram district.

Kanchipuram (காஞ்சிபுரம்)
—  town  —
Kanchipuram (காஞ்சிபுரம்) Location of Kanchipuram (காஞ்சிபுரம்) in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	12°49′N 79°43′E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Kanchipuram
Population	152,984 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Pincode • 631501-631503 • Telephone • +044 • Vehicle • TN21
Website	http://kanchi.tn.nic.in

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Kanchipuram (Tamil: காஞ்சிபுரம்), or Kanchi, is a famous temple city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It served as the Capital city of the Pallava Kingdom. It is also known by its former names Kanchiampathi, Conjeevaram, and the nickname The Golden City of 1,000 Temples . It is now the Administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is located 72 kilometers from Chennai, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Kanchipuram is considered one of the seven holiest cities to the Hindus of India. In Hinduism, a kṣetra is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where moksha, final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven cities as providers of moksha, namely Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Avantikā, Dvārakā and Kanchipuram. .

Among the major temples in Kanchipuram are some of the most prominent Vishnu Temples and Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu like the Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Lord Vishnu and the Ekambaranatha Temple which is the "earth abode" of Lord Shiva. Other abodes include the Chidambaram (sky), Sri Kalahasti (air), Thiruvanaikaval (water) and Tiruvannamalai (fire) temples, the Kamakshi Amman Temple, the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, the Kumara Kottam, the Kachapeshwarar Temple, and the Kailasanathar Temple.

Kanchipuram is also famous for its hand woven silk sarees.

Etymology

Kanchipuram has over one hundred temples today, but it is said to have had over 1,000 temples at its prime. Legend is said to provide eternal happiness to those who visit the city. It is said that “Ka” (Brahma) “anchi” (worshipped) Hindu God Vishnu at this place, which is why the city was given the name Kanchipuram (puram meaning “city).” Kanchipuram is located 71 km (45 miles) southwest of Chennai and 64km west of Mamallapuram on the Palar River.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kanchipuram had a population of 152,984. Males constitute 50.37% of the population and females 49.63%. Kanchipuram has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 69%. In Kanchipuram, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1901	46,164	—
1911	53,864	+16.7%
1921	61,376	+13.9%
1931	65,258	+6.3%
1941	74,685	+14.4%
1951	84,810	+13.6%
1961	92,714	+9.3%
1971	110,657	+19.4%
1981	131,013	+18.4%
1991	144,955	+10.6%
2001	188,733	+30.2%
Sources: 1901 - 1991: 2001:

History

See also: Kanchipuram in the pre-Pallava period and Kanchi Kingdom

Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallavas rulers from the 1st to 9th centuries. It was also important during the Chola, Vijayanagar, and Nayaka periods. It is an ancient place. It was mentioned in the Mahabhasya, written by Patanjali in the 2nd century BC. The term "nagareshu Kanchi" in the above verse attributed the famous Sanskrit poet, Kalidasa, means that Kanchi was the best amongst the cities of medieval India.

Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in South India, and was a city of learning for Tamil, Sanskrit, and Pali. It was believed to be visited by Xuanzang (Huan Tsang) also known as Yuan Chwang. It was during the reign of Pallava dynasty, from the 4th to the 9th centuries that Kanchipuram attained its limelight. The city served as the Pallava capital, and many of the known temples were built during their reign. The founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma is said to have been born here, as was the famous Sanskrit writer Dandin who wrote Dashakumaracharita. The Sanskrit poet Bharavi hailed from Kanchi and wrote the famous Kiratarjuniya here under the patronage of the Pallava king Simhavishnu. Great Buddhist scholars such as Dignaga, Buddhaghosa, and Dhammapala lived here too.

The king of Kanchi, Pallava Mahendravarman I was a great scholar and musician, a man of great intelligence and also a great Sanskrit satirist and playwright.

Xuanzang, the great Chinese traveler, visited the city in the 7th century and said that this city was 6 miles in circumference and that its people were famous for bravery and piety as well as for their love of justice and veneration for learning. He further recorded that Buddha had visited the place.

As regards learning, Kanchi stood second in glory only to Banaras. 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 2nd century BCE Manimekalai, the famous Tamil classic, and Perumpanatru Padai, a great Tamil poetical work, vividly describe the city as it was at the beginning of the Christian era. Pattupattu, belonging to the sangam literature, records that the king Thondaiman Ilandirayan ruled the town around 2,500 years ago.

The temple tower at a Kanchi temple

Naga-worship next to the Sri Vaigunda Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram

From the 3rd to the 9th century, 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 Mahabalipuram. The Cholas ruled the city from the 10th to the 13th century. Kings of Vijayanagara dynasty ruled from the 14th to the 17th century. The temple tower, 192 feet high in the Ekamabaranadhar Temple and the 100-pillar mandabam in the Varadaraja Perumal Temple are famous for the architectural techniques of Vijayanagara dynasty.

Robert Clive, of the British East India Company, who played a major role in the establishment of British rule in India, is said to have presented an emerald necklace to the Varadaraja perumal (the Clive makarakandi, still used to decorate the Lord on ceremonial occasions).

Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil, Sanskrit, and Telugu learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Once the seat of learning and religious fervour started its climb down from the Mughal invasions followed by three centuries of colonial rule under the British.

Inscriptions

There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE (record 544 of 1919) indicating the gift of number of villages made by Achutaraya. Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka who was directed by Achutaraya broke the royal order by gifting more lands to Ekambaranathar temple than the Varadaraja Swamy temple against the instruction of an equal gift to either of the temples. Achutaraya on hearing this equally distributed the lands to both the temples.

Bodhidharma

See also: Bodhidharma and Yijin Jing

Bodhidharma (AD 520), who went to China to spread Buddhism, is said to be from Kanchipuram.. Based on a specific pronunciation of the Chinese characters 香至 as Kang-zhi, "meaning fragrance extreme", Tstuomu Kambe identifies 香至 to be Kanchipuram, an old capital town in the state Tamil-Nadu. According to Tstuomu Kambe:

"Kanchi means 'a radiant jewel' or 'a luxury belt with jewels', and puram means a town or a state in the sense of earlier times. Thus, it is understood that the '香至-Kingdom' corresponds to the old capital 'Kanchipuram'."

Bodhidharma stayed at the Shaolin Monastery and preached Buddhist ideologies. At that time he supposedly trained the monks in the art of Varmakkalai. However, historians have proven that he had no historical connection to martial arts.

Kanchi Matha

Kanchipuram is also the seat of the Kanchi maţha, a Hindu institution that became influential and famous under the leadership of Shri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati. This maţha says that Adi Shankara settled in Kanchipuram after establishing four Āmnāya maţhas in the four corners of India and that this gave rise to the Kanchi maţha. However this claim is disputed by other mathas who claim the Kanchi matha is only a branch matha. The followers of Kanchi Math however claim that, due to Muslim invasions, this Matha was temporarily shifted to Kumbakon.

Economy of Kanchipuram

Being near the large industrial estates of Sriperumbudur, the face of the town has changed in recent years. Real estate has picked up well. Traditional industries such as silk saris and pilgrim visitors are still making significant contributions to the local economy.

Kanchi silk sarees

Silk Sari Weaving at Kanchipuram

Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving hand loom industry. Kanchipuram town is also known as Silk City since the main profession of the people living in and around is weaving silk sarees, more than 50,000 families are engaged in this industry.

In 2010, 'Kancheepuram Silk Sarees' not just received the GI tag but became the first product in India to implement the security protocol, which includes jail and fine provisions for violators.

Educational institutions

Kanchipuram in history was also been known as the ghatikasthanam or place of learning. Today several educational institutions offer courses in engineering, arts and science, and medicine, in and around Kanchi. Notable among them is Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute located near Enathur, about 6 km from Kanchipuram. Since the Meenakshi Medical College was established in 2003, it has developed into a respectable institution of medical education. The Meenakshi hospital, which handles over 1000 outpatients every day, was established with modern infrastructure and facilities and provides service to many people in this area.

Kanchi Sri krishna college of Arts and Science is located in Kanchipuram. The Kalsar College Of Engineering is located at the Mannur village. Vallal pachiyappa Mudaliar run school, collages for men and women are located in kanchi from 19th century providing education to needy people. Asia's biggest International Library is located at Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Maha Vidyalaya (SCSVMV University) which is a part of Kanchi Mutt. This also runs the Sri Sankara Arts and Science college and Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Engineering College.

Some of the major universities and schools in the City are listed below.

Universities and Medical Colleges

• Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Viswa Maha Vidyalaya (Deemed University)[also known as Kanchi University / Shankara University]
• Aringar Anna Cancer Institute
• Meenakshi Medical college

Engineering colleges

• Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman College of Engineering
• Pallavan College of Engineering
• Lord Venkateshwara Engineering College
• Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Engineering College
• Thirumalai Engineering College

Polytechnics

• Bhaktavatsalam Polytechnic College
• Pallavan Polytechic
• Thirumalai Polytechnic College

Arts and Science Colleges

• Kanchi Sri Krishna College of Arts and Science
• Pachaiyappa's College for Men
• Pachaiyappa's College for Women
• Sri Sankara Arts & Science College
• SRS college
• UPR College of Education

Schools

• Anderson Higher Secondary School
• Bharathidhasan Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• M.L.M Mamallan Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Sundar Mission Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Pachaiyappa's Higher Secondary School
• AKT Municipal High School.
• Agathiya Matriculation School, Walajabad
• BMS Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Little Kanchipuram.
• Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Big Kanchipuram.
• PTVS Higher Secondary School
• S.S.K.V Boys Higher Secondary School
• S.S.K.V Girls Higher Secondary School
• Infant Jesus Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Victoria Matriculation School
• Sangford Schools
• Annie Besant Matriculation School
• Dr P.S.S MPL Higher Secondary School
• Vels Vidyashram, CBSE, Old Pallavaram
• Government Higher Secondary School, Iyyangarkulam
• Agathiya Nursery & Primary School, Iyyanpettai
• D.A.V School,Santhavellur,Sunguvarsathiram.
• Maharishi International Residential School
• Shri Vani Nilayam
• C.S.M. Higher Secondary School, Pillaiyar Palayam
• C.M. Subbaraya Mudaliar Higher Secondary School

Special school

• Aadhuraa Special School

The special school which supports many differently abled children in and around Kanchipuram. They provide services to children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental and and other developmental disabilities. 9444318518

List of temples

Varadharaja Perumal Temple entrance

Kamakshi Amman temple

A gopuram of the Ekambareshwar temple

Kanchipuram is a major temple city of Tamil Nadu. The list gives the consolidated list of temples in and around Kanchipuram revered by the hymns of Alvars as well as Nayanmars.

Kanchipuram is known to be one of the three Shakti Peethas, the other two being Madurai and Kasi. This is because of the principal shrine, the Kamakshi Amman Temple, which is the seat of Goddess Kamakshi Amman. To honor the principality of this temple, the Siva temples in the city do not have a shrine dedicated to Goddess Shakti.

List of Vaishnava temples

• Varadharaja Perumal Temple
• Ashtabujakaram - Sri Adhikesava Perumal Temple
• Tiruvekkaa - Sri Yathothkari Temple
• Tiruththanka - Sri Deepa prakasa Perumal Temple
• Tiruvelukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Temple
• Neervalur - Sri Veetrirunda Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple
• Tirukalvanoor - Sri Adi Varaha Swami Temple
• Tiruoorakam - Sri Ulagalantha Swami Temple
• Tiruneeragam - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple
• Tirukaaragam - Sri Karunagara Perumal Temple
• Tirukaarvaanam - Sri Tirukaarvarnar Temple
• Tiruparamechura Vinnagaram - Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple
• Tirupavalavannam - Sri Pavala Vanar Temple
• Tirupaadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodar Temple
• Tirunilaaththingalthundam - Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple
• Tirupputkuzhi - Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal Temple
• Parithiyur-Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple
• Sri Aadhi Kesava Perumal - Kooran [about 8 to 9 km from Kanchipuram]
• Vamanar temple (very near to Kamakshi Temple)

List of Shiva temples

• Kailasnatha Temple
• Ekambareswarar Temple
• Dhrmalingeswarar Temple (Kayaar Kulam)
• Thiru Kayaroganeeswarar Temple
• Kumarakottam
• Kachi Metrali
• Onakanthan Tali
• Kachi Anekatangapadam
• Kachi Nerikkaaraikkadu
• Kuranganilmuttam
• Muktheeswarar Temple
• Tiru Maakaral
• Tiruvothur
• Panankattur
• Sangupani Vinayakar Temple
• Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple
• Thirumetrali Temple
• Satyanadeeswara Temple
• Adhi Kamakshi Temple
• Kanaka Durga Temple, Koneri Kuppam
• Thiruparruthikundram - Jain Temple
• Chitragupta Temple

Muslim Rulers and Architecture

Kanchipuram was ruled by the Nawab of Arcot in early 1700 AD, many Mosques and Islamic Shrines are here which were built by the Nawabs. There are nine mosques in Kanchipuram. Nawab Sathathullah Khan Mosque and Vaikunda Perumal Temple are situated very close.

Both the mosque and the temple share the same tank. It shows the communal harmony in Tamil Nadu and especially in Kanchipuram. The Hameed owliya dargah was also constructed by the Nawab and is a great work of architecture.

Politics

• Kanchipuram is a separate assembly constituency and a Loksabha constituency.
• Tamil Nadu ex-Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai's birth place.

Kanchipuram Loksabha constituency

Municipal administration and politics

Municipality officials Chairman Tmt. Mythili. Vice Chairman Thiru. R.T. Sekar Commissioner Tmt.N.Vimala.

The Kanchipuram municipality was officially constituted in the year 1866. Initially, the municipality exercised its jurisdiction over an area of 7.68 km² and its affairs were administered by a town-level committee or municipal committee. During 1947, it was upgraded to grade I municipality, Selection grade municipality in 1983 and special-grade municipality in 2008. and currently, exercises its authority over an area of 11.605 km² It comprises 45 wards and is the biggest municipality in Kanchipuram District.

Transport

Road transport is the most accessible mode to reach Kanchipuram. The Chennai - Bangalore National Highways, NH4 passed on the outskirts of Kanchipuram. The nearest airport is Chennai International Aiport at a distance of 72 km from the town. The Chengalpet - Arakkonam railroad passes via the town and there is suburban connectivity between Chengalpet and Arakkonam.

In Culture

In 2008, the Tamil film Kanchivaram by noted director Priyadarshan, about silk weavers of the town during the pre-independence period won the Best Film Award at the annual National Film Award.

See also

• Govindavadi
• Walajabad

References

• Rao, P.V.L. Narasimha (2008), Kanchipuram - Land of Legends, Saints & Temples, New Delhi: Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd., ISBN 978-93-5018-104-1, http://books.google.com/books?id=HJFldI75dRcC&pg=PA161&dq=kanchipuram&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ym8jT_rWLMLAtgfKloWiCw&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=kanchipuram&f=false 
• V., Vriddhagirisan (1995), Nayaks of Tanjore, New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, ISBN 81-206-0996-4, http://books.google.com/books?id=GD_6ka-aYuQC&pg=PA17&dq=conjeevaram+temple&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wuEhT-GRF5LXtwef6oCiCw&ved=0CEwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=conjeevaram%20temple&f=false .

External links

• Kanchipuram Portal
• chitragupta swamy temple Official Blog
• Detailed map of Kanchipuram temples
• Kanchipuram Guide
• Article on Kailashnatha Kanchipuram
• Dating of Kanchi Mutt is correct - From Authentic Hindu Encyclopedia
• Details of Kanchipuram Temples - Sre Kagabujandar Nadi Astrological Research Centre - Kanchipuram
• Useful information for tourists to Kanchipuram
• A compendium of information on Kanchipuram - for residents and visitors
• Kanchipuram VS Manhattan
• Gateway to Kanchipuram District
• Read Complete Details about Kanchipuram Pilgrimage
• Photo galleries of Kanchipuram & its temples