 Sometimes
known as Siva Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram is one
of the seven sacred cities of India and was, successively, capital of
the kingdom of the Pallavas, Cholas and rajas of Vijayanagar. During
Pallavas times, it was briefly occupied by the Chalukyans of Badami, and
by the Rashtrakutas when the battle fortunes of the Pallavas kings
reached a low ebb.
Kanchipuram is a temple city and its many gopurams can be seen from a
long way away. Of the original 1000 temples, there are still about 125
left spread out across the city. Many of them are the work of the later
Cholas and of the Vijayanagar kings.
Kanchi is also famous for its hand-woven silk fabrics. This industry
originated in Pallava times, when the weavers were employed to produce
clothing and fabrics for the kings .Other than the temples,
Kanchipuram is a dusty and fairly nondescript town and there's precious
little to see or do except when the temple car festivals take place. |