15 top temples of Kanchipuram
Shiva Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi are the two halves of the old city. These pages cover the best-known Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta temples, plus the Murugan temple that stands between the temples of his parents.
Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி காமாட்சி அம்மன் கோயில்
The Shakti temple of Kanchipuram, with the Sri Chakra before the goddess and a Divya Desam Varaha shrine inside the complex.
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி ஏகாம்பரநாதர் கோயில்
The earth lingam of the five-element temples, under a towering southern gopuram and an ancient mango tree.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில்
The largest temple of Vishnu Kanchi, home of the Atthi Varadar who is brought out of the tank once every 40 years.
Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி கைலாசநாதர் கோயில்
One of the oldest surviving temples in Kanchipuram, built by the Pallava king Rajasimha with 58 small shrines and rare early murals.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி வைகுண்டப் பெருமாள் கோயில் (பரமேசுவர விண்ணகரம்)
The 8th-century Pallava Vishnu temple with three-storey sanctum and carved panels telling the history of the dynasty.
Kumarakottam Murugan Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி குமரகோட்டம் சுப்பிரமணிய சுவாமி கோயில்
The temple where Kacchiyappa Sivacharyar composed the Tamil Kanda Puranam, set between the temples of Shiva and Kamakshi.
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி உலகளந்த பெருமாள் கோயில் (திருவூரகம்)
The only temple complex that houses four Divya Desams, with a towering Trivikrama image of Vishnu.
Yathothkari Perumal Temple (Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal), Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி யதோத்காரி (சொன்னவண்ணம் செய்த) பெருமாள் கோயில் – திருவெஃகா
The temple of Tiruvekka, where Vishnu is said to have followed his devotee's request, with a rare Ranganatha reclining on his left.
Ashtabujakaram Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி அஷ்டபுஜப் பெருமாள் கோயில்
The eight-armed Vishnu of Kanchipuram, tied to the Gajendra moksha story and a tank at its gate.
Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி பாண்டவ தூதப் பெருமாள் கோயில் (திருப்பாடகம்)
The temple of Krishna as the Pandavas' messenger, with a 25 ft seated image.
Chitragupta Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி சித்திரகுப்தர் கோயில்
One of the rare temples dedicated to Chitragupta, the divine record-keeper of human deeds.
Pavalavannam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி பவளவண்ணப் பெருமாள் கோயில்
The coral-hued Vishnu of Kanchipuram, with a seven-tier gateway and shrines of the Alvars and acharyas.
Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple (Tiruththanka), Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி தீபப்பிரகாசப் பெருமாள் கோயில் (திருத்தண்கா)
The "light" Vishnu of Tiruththanka, where Vedanta Desika was born.
Jurahareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி ஜுரகரேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
The Shiva temple linked to curing fever, with a rare semicircular sanctum and a healing tank.
Kachabeswarar Temple (Karchapeswarar), Kanchipuram
காஞ்சி கச்சபேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
The Shiva temple where Vishnu, in tortoise form, is said to have worshipped.
Timings for 12 of these temples come from official HR&CE or Ministry of Tourism pages; the history is still mostly from Wikipedia. Found a better source? Tell us how to send it.