Kanchipuram is a well known Temple Town and a District Head Quarters. Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is a landmark for Knachipuram Town. It is said that the Chola Kings started building the Temple in the 14th century. Later the Pallava Kings built some major portions of the Temple. It is This Temple is situated in Big Kanchipuram or Periya Kanchipuram area and built in a vast area of more than 5 acres and it has 4 entrances. Sri Kamatchi Amman Temple's Rajagopuram stands majestically tall with an East facing 5 tiered Rajagopuram which has many stucco Idols on it. The Temple has a Dwajasthambam or a Kodi Maram and a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam.

The Moolasthana Mandapam with its 24 pillars looks stunning beautiful and is known as Amman Mandapam by the locals. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman is seen seated in a majestic Padmasana Yogic posture. The Goddess here is in 3 forms 1) Sri Kamakshi, 2) Sri Bilahasam and 3) Sri Chakram. Here Kamakshi Amman is considered on par with Sri Madurai Meenakshi and Sri Kasi Visalakshi. Among the other things Sri Kamakshi Amman is seen holding a Sugarcane Bow, a Bunch of Flowers, and a Parrot perched near by. Devotees look at Her with awe on hearing that Sri Kamakshi as a Nine Year Old Child Prodigy had killed Pandasuran and still She could not control Her anger or Ugram. Hence  Sri Adhi Sankaracharya installed a Sri Chakkaram and brought down Her anger to a great extent. It is also beleived that Sage Dhurvasa who was known for his seeting anger had installed the Idol of the Presiding Deity. All the Navagrahams are firmly stamped under Her Feet and hence Devotees need not worry about Navagraha Dosham. This Temple is very unique in the sense that there is no other Amman Shrine in any of the Shiva Temples in Kanchipuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum is crowned and topped with a Golden Vimanam giving it a dazzling look to any Devotees seeing it. It is said that the Temple lacked funds for the Golden Vimanam which is seen now. At that time Kanchi Sri Maha Periyava Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal requested all to chant the Kanagadhara Stothram and no sooner it was chanted by the Devotees Money and Gold started pouring in and sooner than later a Golden Vimanam for Sri Kamakshi Amman was built with effortless ease by the Divine intervention of HH Kanchi Sri Maha Periyava. Interestingly King Dasaratha who was childless then performed a Puthira Kameshti Yaagam here and through the Divine Blessing of Sri Kamakshi Amman, King Dasaratha got Sri Rama as His Son. This is the reason why King Dasaratha who is from the Ikshvahu Clan had Goddess Kamakshi as his Kula Deivam or Prime Goddess. 

The other Sub Shrines of the Temple are those of Sri Gnana Saraswathi, Sri Lakshmi, Sri Shyamala Vaarahi, Sri Arooba Lakshmi, Sri Arthanari, Sri Annapoorani, Sri Thabas Kamakshi, Sri Bangaru Kamakshi, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Adhi Shankarar and the Naga Devathas. The Perumal Sannadhi of this Temple Sri Adhi Vaaraha Perumal and His Sub Shrine is to the rear of the Shrine of the Presiding Deity. There is a conflict of version with some Historians alleging that this Temple was a Buddhist Temple in ancient times and that the Buddha Idol which was excavated then is kept now in the Museum at Egmore in Chennai. The Daily Rituals of this famous Temple of Kanchipuram begins with the Temple Elephant steeping inside the Temple Premises and offering Poojas. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Shenbaga Maram or Shenbaga Tree and the Sacred Tank or Pushkarani is known as Pancha Gangai Theertham. Since the Temple is located in the heart of Kanchipuram Town and very close to the Kanchi Mutt and Bus Stand reachign this Temple becomes so easy for all Devotees. Navarathri, Masi Brahmmothsavam, Theeposthavam, Chithrai Vishu are some of the festivals that are celebrated with great fanfare. There are several shops all aroung the Temple premises selling different types of Pooja Articles and Divine souvenirs.

Contact Details: Gopi Krishnan 98948 76787,  044 27 233433, 2722 1214, 96262 72525, 95858 89650, 77088 26883 and 98948 89191

Temple Timing: 5:30 AM to 12:15 PM and 4 PM to 8.15 PM

Distance from Baluchettychatram to Kanchipuram is 11 Kms

Distance from Damal to Kanchipuram is 14 Kms

Distance from Walajabad to Kanchipuram is 16 Kms

Distance from Sriperumbudur to Kanchipuram is 32 Kms

Distance from Ranipet to Kanchipuram is 48 Kms

Distance from Kalpakkam to Kanchipuram is 67 Kms

Distance from Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram is 66 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Kanchipuram is 71 Kms

Distance from Rathinamangalam to Kanchipuram is 57 Kms

Distance from Pallikonda to Kanchipuram is 89 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalangadu to Kanchipuram is 44 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Kanchipuram is 51 Kms

Distance from Uthiramerur to Kanchipuram is 28 Kms

Distance from Cheyyar to Kanchipuram is 31 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Kanchipuram is 47 Kms

Distance from Thakkolam to Kanchipuram is 27 Kms

Distance from Arcot to Kanchipuram is 46 Kms

Distance from Virinchipuram or Virinjipuram to Kanchipuram is 81 Kms

Distance from Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram is 39 Kms

Distance from Maduranthakam to Kanchipuram is 53 Kms

Distance from Tindivanam to Kanchipuram is 85 Kms

Distance from Vikravandi to Kanchipuram is 111 Kms

Distance from Ponneri to Kanchipuram is 97 Kms

Distance from Minjur to Kanchipuram is 93 Kms

Distance from Polur to Kanchipuram is 100 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram is 118 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Kanchipuram is 276 Kms

Distance from Mangadu to Kanchipuram is 54 Kms

Distance from Nattasarankkottai to Kanchipuram is 431 Kms

Distance from Samayapuram to Kanchipuram is 293 Kms

Distance from Thiruvotriyur to Kanchipuram is 89 Kms

Distance from Thiruverkadu to Kanchipuram is 59 Kms

Distance from Thirumullaivoyal to Kanchipuram is 69 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Kanchipuram is 72 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram R.S.

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