Kanchipuram
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Travel guide
About Kanchipuram
One of Hinduism's seven sacred cities (the Sapta Puri), Kanchipuram was the Pallava capital. It has great temples for Shiva, Vishnu and the goddess Kamakshi, all within a few kilometres of each other.
It's also the home of the Kanchipuram silk saree, woven on handlooms with real silver-and-gold zari in homes across the town.
- Best time
- November to February.
- Ideal trip
- 1–2 days
- Getting there
- About 75 km from Chennai, roughly 2 hours by road; 65 km from Mahabalipuram.
- For visitors from abroad
- Temples close in the early afternoon (roughly 12:30–4 pm), so plan mornings and evenings. Buy silk from co-operative or certified weaver shops.
2 itineraries
Kanchipuram Tour Packages
Each one is fully customisable: dates, hotels, pace and days.
Kanchipuram Tour: Temples & Silk Weavers (2 Days from Chennai)
- Chennai → Chennai
- Best: Nov – Feb
Starting from₹7,500 /person
View Itinerary
Tamil Nadu Temple Tour: Chennai to Madurai via Pondicherry & Thanjavur (9 Days)
- Chennai → Madurai
- Best: Dec – Feb
Starting from₹46,500 /person
View ItineraryDon't miss
Best Things to Do in Kanchipuram
Kailasanathar Temple
The city's oldest structural temple (early 8th century), sandstone with Pallava carvings.
Ekambareswarar Temple
A huge Shiva temple with a 3,500-year-old (by tradition) mango tree.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
One of the Shakti Peethas, at the centre of the town.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
The 100-pillared hall and its carved stone chains.
A weaver's home
See a saree being woven on a pit loom.
What to Eat
- 🍽️ Kanchipuram idli (spiced, steamed in leaves)
- 🍽️ Temple prasadam
- 🍽️ South Indian thali
- 🍽️ Filter coffee
In pictures
Kanchipuram in Pictures
Read before you go
Kanchipuram Guides
Tamil Nadu20 Sept 2026 · 1 min read
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Thanjavur: Tamil Nadu's Temple Trail Explained
Pallava rock-cut shrines, a city of a thousand temples, and the Cholas' thousand-year-old masterpiece.
By TX Team
Tamil Nadu5 Jun 2021 · 5 min read
Kanchipuram: Town of Temples and Textiles
Kanchipuram, the town of thousand temples, is one of Hinduism’s seven most vital pilgrim centres. The city is essential to both Shaivism and Sri Vaishnavism. It’s also documented for its hand-woven silk sarees and most of the city’s workforce involving within the weaving industry. Brief History Still known as one of the most ancient cities
By Hitesh Kumar Negi
FAQs
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On-trip help
How do I know the silk is real?+
Look for the Silk Mark label and buy from a co-operative society or a weaver we introduce. Pure zari tarnishes slowly and has a silver core.
Can we do it as a day trip?+
Yes, from Chennai or Mahabalipuram. Start by 7 am to finish the temples before they close at midday.
Are the temples open to all?+
The complexes are open to all visitors; some inner shrines are for Hindus only.
