World of Books and Travel

I'm sorry for such a long gap to post the remaining part.  I had some personal commitments and was out of the country.. Back to Kancheepuram Our next visit was to Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is also known as Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram Temple, which was about 6 kms away from Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple. Prakash, our auto driver, suggested that we should reach there before its closure time. (8 pm). Though there was some rush we made it for the darshan and it was some special day (Ekadashi) in the temple. Since it was evening I couldn't get some good pictures to post here. This is also an ancient temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century.  The devotees have to climb a couple of steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum.  After having a light dinner in one of the restaurants on the way we returned to  our hotel. The next day, Prakash was there at sharp 6 a.m. to take us to start our temple tours. Our first visit...

Back to Kanchipuram We wanted to cover one or two temples in the evening of the same day we arrived at Kanchipuram. Our autorikshaw driver was only too glad to take us around.  He first took us to Kanchi Kailasanatha temple located in the west of Kanchipuram.   He dropped us just in front of the temple.  The temple has a high rising tower at the entrance.   The temple, built in Dravidian style architecture,  is dedicated to Lord Shiva .     Built in 650 AD-705 AD, by the Pallavas, it is the oldest temple of Kanchipuram. Currently it is looked after by the Archeological Survey of India.    Numerous carved images of Gods and Goddesses are seen on the inner and outer walls of the temple. One of the unique features of this temple is the 16 sided Shivalingam made up of black granite at the main shrine.   Since it was in the evening we could not capture photos properly. However, I am posting one photo which I ...