Two Days Chennai To Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram Sightseeing Tour By Car

Itinerary for Day 1 Kanchipuram Sigtseeing Tour Package

About Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram or Kanchi attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world who are interested in Hinduism or just want to enjoy the marvel of South Indian architecture and grandeur. It is particularly known for being a culture and philosophical hub. With such an association being made with the city, it is only natural that this destination has become such an influential centre in these avant-garde times. The city is home to the famous Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, which is the highly revered abode of Kamakshi (Goddess Parvathi) – consort of Lord Shiva. The Kailasanathar Temple is also popular and is known for its magnificent architecture. The highest, largest and most impressive temple in the town, spanning 40 acres and dating back to the Pallava period is the Ekambeshwarar Temple. The Kanchi Mutt holds kutcheris or South Indian classical music concerts in the evenings.

DAY 1 PICKUP FROM CHENNAI; Hotel / Airport / Railway Station / Bus Station and proceed to kanchipuram Local Sightseeing places including:

KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Kamakshi Amman Temple is the landmark of Kanchipuram. It is believed that the Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram was existing even before Aadi Sankaracharya’s period (788-820 AD). It has been told that there are three major Shakti’s (Amman) in India. They are ‘Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kaasi Visalakshi’Even most of the locals are unaware of the fact that there are no shrines for Shakti in any of the Shiva temples in Kanchipuram. The Kamakshi temple is the only traditional temple dedicated to Shakti in Kanchipuram.The sannathi (sanctum) is covered with a gold plated roof. The temple has a golden charriot of which the procession takes place during festive seasons.

EKAMBARNATHAR TEMPLE

Sri Ekambareswarar Temple is also known as ‘Ekambaranathar Temple’ (temple of Lord Shiva). The ‘Pallavas’ demolished the old structure and rebuilt the existing structure during 600 AD and 700 AD.The total area of the whole temple is about 40 acres. The temple tower at the main entrance (Raja Gopuram) that you see here was constructed by the king Krishnadevaraya (Vijayanagar Dynasty). The height of this temple tower is 174 feet (about 57 m).Until recently there was a mango tree in this temple, which was about 3500 years old. The tree has perished about 2 years ago due to its age. It is believed that Goddess Kamakshi Amman, whose temple is about 1/2 km away from here, worshipped Lord Shiva under this mango tree.

KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE

the Kailasanathar temple (Shiva Temple) was built during the period from 685 A.D. to 705 A.D. by the Pallava king Rajasimha Pallava, and his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava.Kailasanathar temple was constructed using sandstones for most of the sculptures. All the walls around and inside the temple are filled with great sculptures.The architecture and sculpture of this temple resembles the temples found in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) which were also constructed by Pallavas.This might be the only temple in Kanchipuram which has not been modified after its original creation.

VARADARAJASWAMI TEMPLE

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is also known as Devarajaswami Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.The 100 ft high temple tower (gopuram) was built in 11th century AD and was renovated by the Vijyanagar Kings in the 16th century. This temple has a 100 pillar hall (mandapam) which is beautifully carved. There is a chain that is carved out of a single stone.The temple owns a chariot (ther) which is parked on Gandhi road. The chariot is taken out for procession (chariot festival) around the city once in a year (during the month of May).

JAINA KANCHI (TRIUPARUTTIKUNRAM)

There are two temples dedicated to Vardhaman Mahavir and Chandra Prabha. The Vardhaman Mahavir Temple dates back to 6th century.This temple was enlarged during Chola period.The temple houses a great idol of Bhagwan Mahaveer. The height of the idol is about 6 feet and is in sitting posture. There are a series of paintings which belongs to the 14th and 17th centuries in the Sangeetha mandapa, built by Irugappa, the Vijayanagara minister in 1387 AD.Chandra Prabha Temple is said to have been built during Rajasimha Pallava’s reign in the 8th century AD. Tirthankara ‘Chandraprabha’ is the main deity in this temple. There is a (Tharmakura) tree here, which is about 2000 years old.

VAIKUNTA PERUMAL TEMPLE

It was built by the Pallava king Nandivarman and was completed in the 7th century A.D. There are three different levels of the main shrine. There are a number of sculptures of Lord Vishnu which are quite massive in size depicting the Lord in sitting, standing and reclining postures.One of the main attractions of this temple is the exceptional 1000-pillared hall. The unique characteristic about it is that each pillar has a statue carved on it. Lion pillars support the enclosed passages inside the temple. The architecture of the temple has played a vital role in the architectural evolution of the grand thousand pillared mandaps built in the later south Indian. There are several inscriptions in the temple related to the wars between Pallavas and Chalukyas.

ANNA MEMORIAL

Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the founder of D.M.K. was born in Kanchipuram. His ancestral house has been converted into a memorial. Various exhibits like photographs, the articles used by him and important events of his life are exhibited here. As he is associated with the Dravidian movement and the nationalist movement one can see the evolution of these important movements which made a breakthrough in the lives of the Tamils who hailed him as their elder brother ‘Anna’.

Drop at Kanchipuram Hotel / Over Night Stay In Kanchipuram End of a One Day Kanchiram Local Sightseeing Tour…

Itinerary for Day 2 Mahabalipuram Local Sigtseeing Tour

DAY 2 PICKUP FROM KANCHIPURAM: Hotel / After Brakefast and proceed Mahabalipuram Local Sightseeing places including:

About Mahabalipuram 

Mamallapuram, popularly referred as Mahabalipuram was a seventh century port town of the South Indian located 60 km south from Chennai city in Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram is magnificent place mainly built during 7th and 9th centuries. The name Mamallapuram is meant to have been given after the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who was a great worrier and courageous wrestler ruling during the period between 630 to 668 CE. Some of the monuments in Mahabalipuram have also been recognized by the UNESCO and are must see for the tourists on their tour to Mahabalipuram.After the Gupta Dynasty, Pallava ruled from 3rd century to 9th century. Pallavas open up various new styles in arts and architecture. Mahabalipuram is the excellent place to admire proficiency. About Mahabalipuram it exposes excellence and creativity of Pallava. Monolithic Monuments, Temples made from rock, bas-relief sculpture are well illustration of the Dravidian architect.

SHORE TEMPLE

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. The site is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill. The temple was built by Pallavas during the reign of Narasimhavarman.The Shore Temple is a five-storeyed structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. It is the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 ft high and sits on a 50 ft square platform. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch. It is made out of finely cut local granite.

SCLPTURE MUSEUM

the Sculpture Museum is famous for its elaborate collection of sculptures and images of god and goddesses of Hindu mythology. There are more than 3,000 sculptures can be found in this museum. All the sculptures bear the historic significance and the tales of the by-gone days. In the display of the museum there are sculptures made of wood, metal, brass and cement. There are creations of ancient artists to the contemporary ones.Not only Hindu mythology but the Buddhists sculptures and images too, exist in the temple town. The monolithic statues, the Rathas (chariots), sculptured relief and their miniature can be seen in the museum.

MAHABALIPURAM BEACH

the golden sandy Mamallapuram Beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills. Identified as the most pristine beaches of Tamil Nadu, the beach attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year.On request, the local fisher folk can arrange sea cruises in the country crafts. Angling can also be done with the help of the fishermen. The deep-sea angling is also famous here. There is a wide choice of resorts along the beach. Fisherman’s Cove, a private beach resort offers water sports apart from its magnificent beach area. Some resorts are also having beachfront restaurants.

ARJUN’S PENANCE

Arjuna’s Penance or Bhagiratha’s Penace is the name of a massive open air bas-relief monolith dating from the 7th century CE. Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high, the bas-relief is also known as The Descent of Ganga. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’.In one interpretation, a figure in the bas-relief who is standing on one leg is said to be Arjuna performing an austerity Tapas to receive a boon from Shiva as an aid in fighting the Mahabharata war.The bas relief is situated on a rock with a cleft. Figures within the cleft are said to represent the River Ganges and Shiva. This provides the basis for an alternative interpretation, rather than Arjuna, the figure performing austerities is said to be Bhagiratha.

MANDAPAMS CAVES

Mythological scenes are depicted on these architectures. These caves have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’.1) Krishna Mandapam – This is the biggest among the Mandapams and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The sculptures inside this Mandapam beautifully picturize the myth of Lord Krishna during his brave and energetic adulthood.2) Mahishasuramardhini Mandapam – The battle between goddess Durga and the buffalo headed demon, Mahishasura is beautifully inscribed.3) Varaha Mandapam – the side walls have large sculptured panels depicting Vishnu as Varaha, the boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess.

PANCHA RATHAS

Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) – five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’.An interesting aspect of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled – each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.The Pancha Rathas shrines were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite.

GANESH RATHA

Ganesh Ratha Temple is located towards the north of the Arjuna’s Penance. It is a temple carved out from a rock to resemble a chariot and is built in Dravidian style of temple architecture. It was once dedicated to Lord Shiva. But when the original lingam was removed, the temple came to be known as the temple of Lord Ganesh.It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of ‘Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram’.

KRISHNA’S BUTTER BALL

The giant boulder appears to be frozen in its roll down the hill it sits on, and no one is quite sure why. The huge boulder is likely a glacial erratic that got stranded in a serendipitous position on the hill, but local legend has another version of the story. According to Hindu mythology, when the great god Krishna was just a baby, he was fond of stealing butter. Following this tradition, the big orange stone has been likened to a giant dollop of purloined butter that the god dropped.The actual name of the stone is “Vaan Irai Kal,” which translates to “Sky God’s Stone,” and according to one source, the more playful name was given to the rock by a local tour guide. However it got its sort of silly name, it stuck.

Drop at Chennai / Hotel / Airport / Railway Station / Bus Station. End of a Two Days Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Local Sightseeing Tour…

Guests are requested to follow the itinerary provided in the 2 Days Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Local Sightseeing tour package. This 2 days Tamilnadu tour package can not be customized, however if guests prefer to visit different set of places in Tamilnadu and around, they can create their own itinerary and request for a custom quote from cab providers.