Kanchipuram
Kancheepuram, the capital of the Pallava and dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities of India.The city of a Thousand Temples Ancient Kancheepuram, the city of thousand temples, is one of the most sacred pilgrim centres for the Hindus. There now remain 126 temples in Kanchi and a few more in the outskirts. This city was under the control of the Cholas as far back as the 2nd Century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries.Kanchi is also a well known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kancheepuram is the birth place of C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna" by the people of Tamil Nadu.
Kancheepuram Attractions
Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird's Sanctuaries : A grove of Barringatonia and Acacia nilotica trees in a tank form part of the sanctuary. In additional dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests can also be seen. Both these sanctuaries are situated in Kancheepuram district and sprawling in 30-ha and 61-ha area respectively. Vedanthangal is the oldest birds sanctuary in the country. The Villagers had documented their right to protect the winged visitors to this sanctuary. The migrating birds come from far-off lands like Siberia, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for nesting and breeding.Breeding birds like Cormorants, Egrets, Grey Heron, Open-billed stork, Darter, Spoonbill, White lbris, Night Herons, Grebes, Grey Pelican etc visit the Sanctuary. The population of migratory birds included Garganey Teals, Shovellers, Pintails, Stilts, Sandpipers etc. Some of the resident birds listed are Coots and Moorhen, Terns. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary.
Sakkiswarar Temple : Built by the Cholas, this temple is located near the Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Vaikuntha Perumal Temple : An important Vishnu temple built by the Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla, in the 7th century AD. Numerous inscriptions are found in the temple, relating to the wars between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.
Kailasanatha Temple: Built by Rajasimha and his son Mahendra the 3rd, in the 8th century AD.
Ekambareswarar Temple: Another ancient temple, renovated by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar kings. The 57 metre high Rajagopuram, is one of the tallest towers in South IndiaKamakshi Amman Temple: This is one of the three holy places of Shakti worship in India. The other two are in Madurai and Varanasi. The temple in its present form was built by the Cholas, during the 14th century AD.