ART-0510 Kanchipuram: The Golden City of Temples

in

Word document download: ART-0510

This site is closely connected to the Shri Vaishnava Sampradaya and their main theologian, Ramanuja (Teachers’ Book, page 138). It is one of the seven ancient holy towns.

Kanchipuram has over a thousand temples. It is said that Brahma (“Ka”) worshipped (“anchi”) Lord Vishnu at this place (“puram”). It was the capital of the Pallavas, then the Cholas, and later the famous Vijayanagar rulers.

Kanchipuram is believed to give eternal happiness to one who goes there. Ramanujacharya lived in Kanchipuram in his youth and Chaitanya visited here.

Shri Varadaraja Temple

This is a major Vishnu Temple built in the Twelfth Century and it is noted for its one hundred-pillared hall. The temple represents an altar upon which Lord Brahma made a fire sacrifice to manifest Lord Vishnu. The deity is called Devaraja Swami and Arulalar, which means “The source of all grace and one who bestows all boons”.

Shri Ulagalander Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation of the Supreme Lord. The deity is nearly 35 feet in height and the right foot of the deity is in a lifted position, indicating that the Lord has already covered the earth and the heaven. His left foot is pressed on the head of Bali Maharaja.

Kailasanatha Temple

Kailasanatha means the Lord of Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva. This beautiful temple is at least 2000 years old. The temple is famous for its sculptures. The most famous of these is the sculpture of Ardhanariswara, who has a vina (stringed instrument) in her hand, and of Lord Shiva seated on a bull.

Ekambaranatha Temple

This Shiva Temple is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram. In the temple there is a mango tree which is 3500 years old, with four branches said to represent the four Vedas. The name of the deity – Ek-Amra-Natha – means “Lord of the mango tree”. The fruit from each of the four branches has a different taste.

Kanchipuram is located 45 miles south-west of Madras.