Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram a or Kancheepuram or Kanchi (previously romanized as Kāñci-pura, Conjevaram) is the administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located on the banks of river Vegavathy, it served as the capital city of the Pallava Kingdom during the 4th to 9th century CE. Kanchipuram is located 72 km (45 mi) from Chennai, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kanchipuram is the headquarters of the Kanchi matha, a Hindu monastic institution believed to have been founded by the Hindu saint and commentator, Adi Sankaracharya.

Kanchipuram is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Carnatic kingdom, and the British. The city has a number of historical monuments, the Kailasanathar Temple and Vaikunta Perumal Temple being the most prominent among them. Kanchipuram was an ancient education centre like Banaras and was also known as the ghatikasthanam or place of learning. Kanchipuram acted as a religious centre of advanced learning for Jainism and Buddhism during the 1st to 5th century CE.

As per Hindu theology, Kanchipuram is one of the seven cities in India to reach final attainment. Being home to major Hindu temples like the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and Kumara Kottam, the city is considered a holy pilgrimage site for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. Out of the 108 holy temples of Hindu god Vishnu, called the divyadesam, 14 are located in the city. Kanchipuram is well known for its hand woven silk sarees and a majority of workforce in the city is involved in weaving industry.

Kanchipuram is administered by a Special grade municipality constituted in 1947. The city covers an area of 11.605 km2 (4.481 sq mi) and had a population of 153,140 in 2001. Kanchipuram is well-connected by road and rail. Chennai International Airport is the nearest domestic and international airport to the city.

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