Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram Conjeevaram
Corporation
Vaikunta Perumal Temple, (731 CE–796 CE), one of the oldest temple in the city
Nickname(s):  Spiritual Capital of Tamil Nadu,City of Thousand Temples, Silk City, Temple City, Capital of Pallava Nadu
Kanchipuram Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Show map of Tamil Nadu Kanchipuram Kanchipuram (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 12°49′07″N 79°41′41″E / 12.818500°N 79.694700°E / 12.818500; 79.694700
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Region	Tondai Nadu
District	Kanchipuram
Established	300 BCE
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Body	Kanchipuram Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	M. Mahalakshmi (DMK)
• Corporation Commissioner	G. Kannan I.A.S
• Member of legislative assembly	C.V.M.P. Ezhilarasan
• Member of Parliament	G.Selvam
Area
• Total	36.14 km2 (13.95 sq mi)
• Rank	15
Elevation	105 m (344 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	234,353
• Rank	15
• Density	6,500/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
Demonym	kanchipuramites
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	631501-631503
Telephone code	044
Vehicle registration	TN-21
Website	tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/kancheepuram/

Kanchipuram (IAST: kāñcipuram; [kaːɲdʑipuɾam])^[1] also known as Kanjeevaram, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the Tondaimandalam region, 72 km (45 mi) from Chennai – the capital of Tamil Nadu. Known as the City of Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is known for its temple architectures, 1000-pillared halls, huge temple towers and silk saris. Kanchipuram serves as one of the most important tourist destinations in India. Kanchipuram has become a centre of attraction for foreign tourists as well. The city covers an area of 36.14 km² (13.95 sq mi) and an estimated population of more than 300,000 in 2021.^[2] It is the administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram District. Kanchipuram is well-connected by road and rail.

Kanchipuram is a Sanskrit word formed by combining two words "Kanchi" and "-puram" meaning "Brahma worship" and "residential place" respectively and located on the banks of the Vegavathy and Palar river. Kanchipuram has been ruled by the Pallavas, the Medieval Cholas,^[3] the Later Cholas, the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Carnatic kingdom, and the British, who called the city "Conjeeveram".^[3] The city's historical monuments include the Kailasanathar Temple and the Vaikunta Perumal Temple. Historically, Kanchipuram was a centre of education^[4] and was known as the ghatikasthanam, or "place of learning".^[5] The city was also a religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries.^[6]

In the Vaishnavism Hindu theology, Kanchipuram is one of the seven Tirtha (pilgrimage) sites, for spiritual release.^[7] The city houses Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Kumarakottam Temple which are some of major Hindu temples in the state. Of the 108 holy temples of the Hindu god Vishnu, 15 are located in Kanchipuram.^[8]

The city is most important to Sri Vaishnavism, Shaktism and then Shaivism. Most of the city's workforce is involved in the weaving industry.^[9]

Kanchipuram is administered by a Special grade municipality constituted in 1947. It is the headquarters of the Kanchi matha, a Hindu monastic institution believed to have been founded by the Hindu saint and commentator Adi Sankaracharya, and was the capital city of the Pallava Kingdom between the 4th and 9th centuries.

Kanchipuram has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.