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Kanchipuram or Kanchi (previously romanized as Kāñci-pura, Conjevaram, is a 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 City of Thousand 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. The town is considered sacred both to Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu.

Among the major Hindu temples in Kanchipuram are some of the most prominent Vishnu Temples and Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu like the Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Vishnu and the Ekambaranatha Temple which is the "earth abode" of Shiva. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, and the Kailasanathar Temple are some of the other prominent temples.

Kanchipuram is also famous for its hand woven silk sarees.

Etymology

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).” The earliest inscription from the Maurya period refers the city as Kanchi where its king Visnugopa was defeated by Samudragupta Maurya. The city was referred by various names like Kanchipedu. The Pallava inscriptions from (250 to 355 CE) and the inscriptions by Pulikesi, the Chalukya Empire, refers the city as Kanchipura. The earliest literary reference to Kanchi is in the Mahabasya by Patanjali, in which the city is referred as Kanchipuraka. The western part of the city is referred as Siva Kanchi as it has most of the Shiva temples in the city and the easterna part is called Vishnu Kanchi. Jaina Kanchi refers to the area around Tiruparutti Kundram. With the advent of British Empire, the city came to be addressed as Conjeevaram and later Kanchipuram. The municipal administration was renamed to Kancheeepuram. According to epigraphical records, Kanchipuram is situated namely Tundapa Vishaya, the Tamil equivalent of Tondaimandalam, corresponding to Tundapa Vishwa Pallava.

History

Kanchipuram 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.

From the 3rd to the 9th century, Kanchi was the capital of the Pallavas who ruled over the territory extending from river Krishna in the north to river Kaveri in the south. The Pallavas fortified the city with ramparts, wide moats, well laid out roads and fine temples. They were a maritime power with contacts with far-off China, Siam and Fiji through their chief port Mahabalipuram. The most notable among the Pallava kings is Mahendravarman I (600-630 CE). He was a scholar, musician and also a Sanskrit satirist and playwright. He was the pioneer of Rock-cut Architecture amongst the Pallavas and initiated the temples in Mahabalipuram. During his reign, the Chalukya king Pulakesin II attacked the Pallava kingdom. Although Mahendravarman saved his capital, he lost the northern provinces to Pulakesi. Pulakesi II continued his conflict to attain Kanchipuram. Pulakesi undertook another expedition several years later by when the Pallava reign had moved on to Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE). Narasimhavarman defeated the Chalukyas in several battles, including the invasion of Vatapi, where he successfully defeated Pulakesi II in 642 CE.

Xuanzang, the Chinese traveler, visited the city in the 7th century. He noted that the city was 6 miles in circumference and that its people were famous for bravery, piety, love of justice and veneration for learning.

The Cholas ruled the city from the 11th century. Kings of Vijayanagara dynasty ruled from the 14th to the 17th century. There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE (record 544 of 1919) indicating the gift of a 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.

The Marathas took control of city in 1677 CE and shortly after with Aurangazeb till 1752 CE. The French took control and shortly was taken by British general Robert Clive. Clive, 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. It is called the Clive makarakandi and is still used to decorate the deity on ceremonial occasions.

Geography

Kanchipuram is located at 12°59′N 79°43′E / 12.98°N 79.71°E / 12.98; 79.71at a distance of 76 km south-west of Chennai, on the banks of river Vegavathi, a tributary of Palar river at an elevation of 83.26m above the sea level. The town covers an area of 11.60 km and has a natural slope towards Manjal Neer Channel and towards river Vegavathy in the south. Predominant soil types found in this area are black, red loam, clay and sand, suitable for constructional activities. The weather is hot and humid, reaching a maximum (Average) of 37.5 degree Celsius during April to July the minimum (Average) of 20.5 degree Celsius during the months of December to February. The town receives an average of 1064 mm of rainfall, 68% from the northeast monsoon.

Municipal administration and politics

The Kanchipuram municipality was officially constituted in the year 1866. Initially, the municipality exercised its jurisdiction over an area of 7.68 km 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 km It comprises 51 wards and is the biggest municipality in Kanchipuram District. The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: General, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, Town planning and the Computer Wing. All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the supreme executive head. The legislative powers are vested in a body of 45 members, one each from each of the 45 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected Chairperson who is assisted by a Deputy Chairperson.

Kancheepuram comes under the Kancheepuram state assembly constituency. From the state delimitation after 1967, the recent 10 elections from 1971-2011 saw Anna Dravida Muneetra Kazhagam (ADMK) as the most popular party in the constituency winning 7 elections. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had its success during the 1971 and 1989 elections and its ally, Pattali Makkal Katchi, during the 2006 elections won once in this constituency. The current member of the legislative assembly is V. Somasundaram from the ADMK party.

Kancheepuram Lok Sabha constituency is a newly formed Lok Sabha (Parliament of India) constituency after the 2008 delimitation. The constituency originally existed for the 1951 election. This constituency is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. The constituency in 2008 was formed after merging the assembly segments of Chengalpattu, Thiruporur, Madurantakam (SC), Uthiramerur and Kancheepuram, which were earlier part of the now defunct Chengalpattu Lok Sabha constituency, and Alandur, which was earlier part of Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. P. Viswanathan from the Congress party is the current member of the parliament form the constituency.

C. N. Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), popularly called Anna was a former Chief Minister from Kanchipuram. He was the first member of a Dravidian party to hold that post and was also the first non-Congress leader to form a majority government in independent India.

Demographics

During the period of Narasimha Varma's rule in the 7th century, the town had an area of four square mile and a population of 10,000. With the population increasing to 13,000, the town developed cross patterned links with rectangular streets. The settlement were largely caste based. During the period of Nandivarma Pallavan II, houses were built of raised platforms and burned bricks. The concept of verandah in the front, garden in the backyard, ventilation facilities and drainage or rainwater were all introduced for the first time. The heart of the town was occupied by brahmins, while the Tiruvekka temple and houses of agricultural labourers were situated outside the town. There were provisions in the outskirts of the town for training of the cavalry and infantry.

During the Chola era, Kanchipuram was not the capital, but the kings had a palace constructed and lot of development were extended eastwards. During the Vijayanagara period, the population of the town went up to 25,000. There were no notable additions to the town infrastructure during the British rule. During the British census of 1901, Kancheepuram had a population of 46,164 constituting 44,684 Hindus, 1,313 Muslims, 49 Christians and 118 Jains.

As of 2011 provisional totals, Kancheepuram had a population of 164,265, constituting 81,987 males and 82,275 females covering an area of 36.14 km. As of 2001 India census, Kanchipuram had a population of 153,140 at a density of 13,428 persons per km. Males constitute 50.37% of the population and females 49.63%. As of 2001, Kanchipuram has an average literacy rate of 74.8%, 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. About 8 lakh pilgrims visit the town every year as of 2001.

Economy of Kanchipuram

The traditional occupation of Kanchipuram is silk sarees and agriculture. An estimated 5000 families is still involved in weaving silk sarees. There are 25 silk & cotton yarn industries, 60 dyeing units, 50 rice mills and 42 other industries within the Kancheepuram municipal limits.

Kanchi silk sarees

Legend has it that the Kanchi weavers are descendants of Sage Markanda, the celestial weaver for Gods. While cotton is the favourite for Hindu deity Shiva, silk is favoured by Vishnu. The existence of all the silk weavers around Vishnu Kanchi, most of the Vishnu temples are located in Kancheepuram. Historically, the Chola king, Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 CE) invited the weavers to migrate to Kanchi. The craft picked up with the mass migration during the Vijayanagara rule during the 15th century from Andhra Pradesh. During the French siege of 1757 CE, the city was burnt with the art, but the art reemerged in the late 18th century. Though the industry is worth 100cr, the weaving community is suffering because of poor marketing techniques and large duplicate market player. In 2005, 'Kanchipuram 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.

Transport and communication

Road transport is the most accessible mode to reach Kanchipuram. The Chennai - Bangalore National Highways, NH4 passed on the outskirts of Kanchipuram. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation runs daily services connecting various cities to Kanchipuram, the notable being Chennai, Bangalore, Villupuram, Tirupathi, Thiruthani, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Salem and Pondicherry. There are couple of bus routes to Chennai, one connecting via Guindy and the other via Tambaram. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Villupuram division operates the local transport buses within the city.

The Chengalpet - Arakkonam railroad passes via the town and there is suburban connectivity between Chengalpet and Arakkonam. Kanchipuram has daily trains to Pondicherry and Tirupathi passing on either sides, a weekly express train to Madurai and a bi-weekly express train to Nagercoil. A couple of passenger trains from both sides of Chengalpattu to Arakkonam pass via Kanchipuram. The nearest domestic as well as international airport is Chennai International Airport at a distance of 72 km from the town.

Education

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. Kanchipuram in history was also been known as the ghatikasthanam or place of learning. Historically Kanchipuram has been a centre of learning for Jainism and Buddhism. Kanchipuram acted as a religious centre for advanced education for Jainism. The Buddhist monasteries acted as nucleus of the Buddhist educational system. With the gradual resurrection of Hinduism during the reign of Mahendra Varman I, the Hindu educational system gained prominence with Sanskrit emerging as the official language. The Sanskrit poet Bharavi hailed from Kanchi and wrote the famous Kiratarjuniya here under the patronage of the Pallava king Simhavishnu. Another Sanskrit poet, Dandin composed the Dakshakumaracharita, the tale of ten princes. Today several educational institutions offer courses in engineering, arts and science, and medicine, in and around Kanchi. The founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma is said to have been born here, as was the famous Sanskrit writer Dandin who wrote Dashakumaracharita.

Larsen and Tubro inaugurated the first rail construction training centre in India at Kanchipuram on May 24, 2012 that can train 300 technicians and 180 middle level managers/engineers each year. Kanchipuram is home to one of the four Indian Institute of Information of Technology, a public private partnership, offering under graduate and post graduate programs in information technology.

Kancheepuram is frequently in news over child labour - it is one of the three cities in the silk industry in India having higher rate of child labour and bonded labour. The local administration is accused of aiding child labour by opening more number of night schools in Kancheepuram during 1999. As of December 2001, these schools together were educating 127 people and 260 registered students from September 1999. There is an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 child labour in Kanchipuram compared to 85,000 in the same industry in Varanasi. Children commonly are traded in the range of 10,000 to 15,000 rupees and there are cases where whole family is bonded together. Though child labour in India is prohibited by Children (Pledging of Labour) Act and Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, it is not strictly enforced.

Utility services

Electricity supply to the town is regulated and distributed by the Kanchipuram circle of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Water supply is provided by the Kancheepuram municipality from the subterranean springs of Vegavati river during 1895-96. The head works is located at Orikkai, Thiruparkadal and St. Vegavathy, and distributed through over head tanks having a total capacity of 9.845 metric litres. About 55 tonnes of solid waste are collected from the town every day in the five collection points covering the whole of the town. The sewage system in the town was implemented in 1975 as the town was identified as one of the hyper endemic towns in 1970. The underground drainage covers 82% of roads in the town, and is divided into east and west zones for internal administration.

Kancheepuram comes under the Kancheepuram Telecom circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides broadband internet service along with other major internet service provider like Reliance.

Religion

Buddhism was one of the prominent religion in Kanchipuram and classified as a later Buddhist site during the 1st - 5th centuries CE. Some Buddhist celebrities who were associated with Kanchipuram are Arya Deva (2-3rd century CE) - a successor of Nagarjuna of Nalanda University, Dignaga, Buddhaghosa (5th century CE)- a commentator of Tripatikas in Pali, Bodhi Dharma (6th century CE) - the founder of Chan (Zen), Dinnaga (6th century) - a contemporary of Kalidasa and Dhammapala (7th century CE) - the son of a high official and reputed commentator, Siddha Nagarjuna. One of the Theravada great Buddhist commentators, known as Ācariya Dhammapāla, is known to us from the Gandhavamsa to have been born in Kanchipuram and lived nearby at Badara Tittha Vihara. Bodhidharma (520 CE), 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'."

Jainism is believed to have been initiated into Kanchipuram by Kunda Kundacharya (1st century CE). Jainism spread in Kanchi after the defeat of Buddhists at the hands of Akalanka (3rd Century CE) in prolonged debates. Silappatikaram, the 2nd century Tamil Jain literature has quotes of Kanchi being an advanced centre of learning. Kalbhras, the rulers of Kanchi before Pallavas followed Jainism and with royal patronage, Jainism grew in the region. The Pallava kings, Simhavishnu, Mahendra Varman and Simhavarman (550-60 CE) followed Jainism, until the advent of Nayanmars and Azhwars in the 6th -7th centuries. Conversion of Mahendravarman I from Jainism to Hinduism under the influence of Appar was the turning point in the religious geography. The revival of the two sects of Hinduism, namely Saivism and Vaishnavism was revived under the influence of Adi Sankara and Ramanuja. Later Cholas and Vijayanagara kings were tolerant towards Jainism, leaving traces of Jainism in Kanchi.

Temples in Kanchipuram

Ekambareswarar Temple is the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram and is located in the northern part of the town. The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59m tall, which is one the tallest gopurams in India. It is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing earth, dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu god, each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature- land, water, air, sky, fire. Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest Pallava temple still in existence and is declared an archeological monument by Archaeological Survey of India. The temple has a series of cells with sculptures within. In Kamakshi Amman Temple, goddess is depicted in the form of an yantra. Chakra or peetam (basement) is where the deity placed. But in this temple, the yantra is placed in front of the deity. Adi Sankara is closely associated with this temple and believed to have established the Kanchi matha after this temple.

Kumarakottam is dedicated to Muruga, the son of Shiva and Parvathi and is located between the Ekambareswarar temple and Kamakshi Amman temple leading to the cult of Somaskanda (Skanda, the child between Shiva and Parvathi). The temple is the birthplace of Kandapuranam, the Tamil religious work on Muruga translated from Sanskrit Skandapurana in 1625 CE by Kachiappa Shivacharya. Trilokyanatha/Chandraprabha temple is a twin jain temple having inscriptions from Pallava king, Narasimhavarman II and the Chola kings Rajendra Chola I, Kulothunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola, and the Kanarese inscriptions of Krishnadevaraya. The temple is maintained by Tamil Nadu archaeological department.

Varadharaja Perumal Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. It is an ancient temple and one of the 108 divyadesams, the holy abodes of Vishnu. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples. The temple covers an are of 23-acre (93,000 m). The temple has carved lizards platted with gold, over the sanctum. Tiruparamechura Vinnagaram - Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple is the birthplace of the azhwar saint, Poigai Alvar. The central shrine has tiers of 3 shrines, one over the other, with Vishnu depicted in each of them. The prakaram (corridors round the sanctum) has series of sculptures depicting the Pallava rule and conquer.

Kanchi Matha

The Kanchi Matha is a Hindu monastic institution, whose official history states that it was founded by Adi Sankara of Kaladi, tracing its history back to the fifth century BCE. A related claim is that Adi Sankara came to Kanchipuram, and that he established the Kanchi mutt named "Dakshina Moolamnaya Sarvagnya Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam" in a position of supremacy (Sarvagnya Peetha) over the other mathas of the subcontinent, before his death there. Other sources give the place of his death as Kedarnath in the Himalayas. Other historical accounts state that the mutt was established more recently (probably in the 18th century) in Kumbakonam, as a branch of the Sringeri Matha, and that it later declared itself independent.

Notes

1. Malalasekera 1973, pp. 112–13.
2. Tourist places in Kancheepuram 2012.
3. ^ Ayyar 1991, p. 69.
4. Kanchipuram Industrial profile 2012.
5. ^ Sharma 1978, p. 255.
6. Historical Importance of Kanchipuram 2011.
7. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908, pp. 544–546.
8. Hall 2005, p. 246.
9. ^ Sastri 2008, p. 136.
10. ^ Keay 2001, p. 170.
11. ^ V. 1995, p. 19.
12. ^ About City 2011.
13. Kancheepuram Municipality - Chairman 2011.
14. Kancheepuram Municipality - Commissioner 2011.
15. Vice Chairman of Kancheepuram municipality 2011.
16. ^ MLA of Kancheepuram 2011.
17. MP of Kancheepuram 2011.
18. List of municipalities in Tamil Nadu 2011.
19. ^ About municipality 2011.
20. ^ Commissionerate of Municipal Administration 2011.
21. Economic and political weekly 1995, p. 2396.
22. ^ Election Report - Full Statistical Report 2011.
23. rediff & 7 May 2009. sfn error: no target: CITEREFrediff7_May_2009 (help)
24. Frontline & 23 April 2004. sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrontline23_April_2004 (help)
25. Chakrabarty 2008, pp. 110–111.
26. Kancheepuram Master Plan 2001.
27. ^ Kancheepuram : Census 2011.
28. ^ Kancheepuram population 2012.
29. Rao 2008, p. 142.
30. ^ Rao 2008, p. 143.
31. Kancheepuram about municipality 2012.
32. Rao 2008, p. 145.
33. ^ Rao 2008, pp. 134–135.
34. Industries in Kancheepuram 2011.
35. The Economic Times & 27 December 2011. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_Economic_Times27_December_2011 (help)
36. The Times of India & 29 August 2010. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_Times_of_India29_August_2010 (help)
37. Rao 2008, p. 3.
38. ^ Bus routes,Train schedules,Air schedules 2011.
39. TNSTC Villupuram 2011.
40. Rao 2008, p. 4.
41. ^ Train Running Information 2012.
42. ^ Thapar 2001, pp. 344–345. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThapar2001 (help)
43. The Businessline & 24 May 2012. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_Businessline24_May_2012 (help)
44. The Indian Express & 29 May 2012. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_Indian_Express29_May_2012 (help)
45. ^ Human Rights Watch 2003, p. 62.
46. ^ Human Rights Watch/Asia 1995, p. 82. sfn error: no target: CITEREFHuman_Rights_Watch/Asia1995 (help)
47. Human Rights Watch/Asia 1995, p. 88. sfn error: no target: CITEREFHuman_Rights_Watch/Asia1995 (help)
48. TNEB region details 2011.
49. Kancheepuram water supply 2011.
50. Waste management programme 2011.
51. Kancheepuram sewage and sanitation 2011.
52. BSNL 2011.
53. Reliance Netconnect+ Coverage.
54. Trainor 2001, p. 13.
55. ^ Rao 2008, p. 20.
56. Subramaniam 1994, pp. 90–91. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSubramaniam1994 (help)
57. ^ Tstuomu Kambe: Bodhidharma 2008.
58. Let's Go 2004, p. 584.
59. Sajnani 2001, pp. 305.
60. Ramaswamy 2007, pp. 301–302.
61. Ayyar 1991, p. 73.
62. Ayyar 1991, pp. 70–71.
63. Rao 2008, p. 110.
64. The Hindu & 23 June 2011. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_Hindu23_June_2011 (help)
65. Gateway to Kanchipuram district - Varadaraja Temple 2011.
66. ^ Ayyar 1991, p. 80.
67. The dynasties of Magadh after the Mahabharat war 2011.
68. Chronological chart of the history of Bharatvarsh 2011.
69. Real history of the Kanchi math 2011.

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v t e Kanchipuram district
District headquarters	Kanchipuram
Region	Tondaimandalam
State	Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Taluks	Sriperumbudur taluk Kundrathur taluk Walajabad taluk Kanchipuram taluk Uthiramerur taluk
Blocks	St. Thomas Mount Kattangulathur Thirupporur Tirukalukundram Lathur Chithamur Madurantakam Acharapakkam Kunnattur Sriperumbudur Walajabad Kanchipuram Uttiramerur
Municipal corporations	Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation
Municipalities	Kunrathur Mangadu
Town panchayats	Sriperumbudur Uthiramerur Walajabad
History	Pallavas Medieval Cholas Later Cholas Later Pandyas Delhi Sultanate Madurai Sultanate Vijayanagar Empire Carnatic Kingdom Company Raj British Raj
Places of interest	Arignar Anna Zoological Park Ashtabujakaram Cholamandal Artists' Village Dakshinchitra Descent of the Ganges Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple Kundrathur Murugan Temple Madras Atomic Power Station Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Neervalur Pancha Rathas Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Mamallapuram Shore Temple Subrahmanya Temple Thirukadalmallai Thirukazhukundram Tirusoolanathar Temple Tiruththanka Tiruvekkaa Tiruvelukkai Varadharaja Perumal Temple Varaha Cave Temple Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Religious and monastic institutions	Kanchi matha Roman Catholic Diocese of Chingleput
Universities	B. S. Abdur Rahman University Sathyabama University Chennai Mathematical Institute Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya SRM Institute of Science and Technology Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing Kancheepuram
Cities and towns Villages People

v t e  State of Tamil Nadu
Capital: Chennai
State symbols	Seal: Srivilliputhur Andal temple tower Animal: Nilgiri tahr Bird: Emerald dove Flower: Gloriosa lily Fruit: Jackfruit Tree: Palm tree Butterfly: Cirrochroa Thais
Governance	Governors Chief ministers Deputy chief ministers Legislative Assembly Political parties Raj Bhavan Chennai Ooty High Court Police
Topics	Cinema Cuisine Economy Government History Language Literature Music People Education Sports Politics Temples Protected areas Radio on Internet Highest point Wildlife Sexual minorities Tourism Kaveri River water dispute State Day
Major cities	Chennai Coimbatore Madurai Tiruchirappalli Tiruppur Salem
Districts	Ariyalur Chengalpattu Chennai Coimbatore Cuddalore Dharmapuri Dindigul Erode Kallakurichi Kanchipuram Kanyakumari Karur Krishnagiri Madurai Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Namakkal Nilgiris Perambalur Pudukkottai Ramanathapuram Ranipet Salem Sivaganga Tenkasi Thanjavur Theni Thoothukudi Tiruchirappalli Tirunelveli Tirupathur Tiruppur Tiruvallur Tiruvannamalai Tiruvarur Vellore Viluppuram Virudhunagar
Lists	Districts in Tamil Nadu by HDI Cities in Tamil Nadu by population Towns in Tamil Nadu by population Revenue divisions in Tamil Nadu
India portal

v t e Hindu holy cities
India	Char Dham Badrinath Badrinath Temple Dwarka Dwarkadhish Temple Puri Jagannath Temple Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple Chota Char Dham Badrinath Badrinath Temple Gangotri Kedarnath Kedarnath Temple Yamunotri Yamunotri Temple Panch Kedar Kalpeshwar Kedarnath Madhyamaheshwar Rudranath Tungnath Pancharama Kshetras Amararama Draksharama Ksheerarama Kumararama Somarama Six Abodes of Murugan Palani Pazhamudircholai Swamimalai Thiruparankundram Thiruttani Tiruchendur Trilinga Kshetras Draksharama Kaleshwaram Srisailam Ashtavinayaka Lenyadri Girijatmaja Mahad Varadvinayaka Morgaon Mayureshwara Ozar Vighneswara Pali Ballaleshwara Ranjangaon Mahaganapati Siddhatek Siddhivinayaka Theur Chintamani Jyotirlinga Deoghar Vaidyanath Dwarka Nageshvara Ellora Caves Grishneshwar Kedarnath Kedarnath Khandwa Omkareshwar Prabhas Patan Somnath Rajgurunagar Bhimashankar Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Srisailam Mallikājuna Trimbak Trimbakeshwar Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Varanasi Kasi Vishvanath Panchabootha Lingas Annamalai (Fire) Tiruvannamalai Chidambaram (Ether) Chidambaram Ekambareswarar (Earth) Kanchipuram Jambukeswarar (Water) Thiruvanaikaval Srikalahasti (Air) Srikalahasti Pancha Sabhas Art/Chithiram, Courtallam Copper/Thamiram, Nellai Emerald/Rathinam, Thiruvalangadu Gold/Pon, Thillai Silver/Velli, Madurai Sapta Puris Avantika Ayodhya Dwaravati Kanchi Kashi Mathura Maya Shakti Peeths Vimala Temple Taratarini Temple Kamakhya Temple Kalighat Kali Temple Kukkuteswara Temple Koneswaram Temple Kamakshi Amman Temple Chamundeshwari Temple Mahalakshmi Temple Biraja Temple Alopi Devi Mandir Mangla Gauri Temple Vishalakshi Temple Others Kumbha Kshetras Haridwar Haridwar Kumbha Mela Nashik-Trimbak Nashik-Trimbak Kumbha Mela Prayagraj (Prayaga) Prayaga Kumbha Mela Ujjain Ujjain kumbha Mela Sun Temple for Chhath Puja Deo Sun Temple Umga Sun Temple Navagraha temples Suryanar Kovil Kailasanathar Temple Vaitheeswaran Koil Swetharanyeswarar Temple Apatsahayesvarar Temple Agniswarar Temple Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple Rahu Stalam Nagannathaswamy Temple Important Amarnath Aundha Gokarna Khajuraho Kudalasangama Lingaraj Paadal Petra Sthalam Thanjavur Tirupati Thiruvarur Thrissur Vaikom Samadhis Alandi Belur Math Tulsi Ghat Meherabad Shirdi Gorakhpur Panchaganga Ghat Puri Nagpur Prasanthi Nilayam Others Ahobilam Ambaji Ambalappuzha Annavaram Arunachala Basar Bhadrachalam Chidambaram Chitrakoot Chottanikkara Dakor Dakshineswar Kali Temple Deo Dharmasthala Ettumanoor Gaya Gokul Guruvayur Indraprastha Jageshwar Jajpur Kalighat Kanyakumari Katra Vaishno Devi Khatu Kollur Kumbakonam Kurukshetra Madurai Mangalagiri Mayapur Nabadwip Nashik Nathdwara Pandharpur Prayag (Triveni Sangam) Pushkar Pushpagiri Temple Complex Rishikesh Ryali Sabarimala Shakti Pitha Simhachalam Somnath Sonamukhi Sri Kurmam Sringeri Srirangam Swaminarayan Akshardham (Gandhinagar) Swaminarayan Akshardham (New Delhi) Thrippunithura Tiruchanur Tirumala Tirunavaya Udupi Velliangiri Vemulawada Vijayawada Vrindavan Yadagirigutta
Out of India	Ateshgah of Baku (Azerbaijan) Bhadreshwaram (Vietnam) Ganga Talao (Mauritius) Iraivan temple (USA) Kadhalishwaram ruins (China) Mount Kailash (Tibet) Sivan temple (Singapore) Sthūlādri (Thailand) Temple in the Sea (Trinidad and Tobago) Thewasathan Bot Phram (Sao Chingcha, Bangkok) Cambodia Angkor Wat Tribhuvanamāhesvaram Indonesia Balinese temple Besakih Temple Candi Surawana Cangkuang Ceto Temple Denpasar Dieng Plateau Gebang Gedong Songo Gianyar Gunung Kawi Jawi Temple Kidal Temple Marga Pejeng Penataran Prambanan Pura Luhur Ulu Watu Pura Penataran Sasih Pura Ulun Danu Batur Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Shivagraham Singhasari temple Sukuh Tanah Lot Tirta Empul Nepal Chataradham Janakpurdham Kathmandu Pashupatinath Pakistan Hinglaj Sharada Peeth Multan Sun Temple Katas Raj Temples Amb Temples Kalat Kali Temple Nagarparkar Temples Mansehra Shiva Temple Lava Mandir Jagannath Temple Churrio Jabal Durga Temple Sadh Belo Island Mandir Kafir Kot Sri Lanka Pancheshwarams Ketheeshwaram Koneswaram Munneshwaram Naguleshwaram Thondeshwaram Others Ati Konanayakar Kataragama Kokkadicholai Thaanthonreeswarar Pathirakali Amman Temple Thambiluvil Kannaki Amman Temple Thambiluvil Sri Sivalinga Pillayar Temple Thirukkovil Temple

• Cities and towns in Kanchipuram district
• Hindu holy cities
• Shakti Peethas
• Former Indian capital cities
• Ancient Indian cities
• Tamil Buddhism