India Tourism » Cities » Kanchipuram Travel

Excursions in Kanchipuram

TIRUPARUTHI KUNDRAM (5 KMS)
This is a suburb of Kanchi on the southern bank of the Vegavathi river. It was a centre of Jainism.

THIRUTHANI (42 KMS)
Thiruthani is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hilltop, the temple is accessible by a flight of 365 steps and also by a ghat road. The steps represent the days of a year. Thiruthani is said to be the place where the Lord Muruga married Valli, one of his two consorts. The Karthigai festival which falls in December is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. This small town is also the birth place of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, philosopher-statesman and former President of India.

VEDANTHANGAL (48 KMS)
It is one of the major water birds sanctuaries in India. Storks, Egrets, Comorants, Darter are some of the birds which arrive here during season. Along the lake bund there is a 24' high observation tower commanding the panoramic view of the sanctuary. Season: October-March. Forest Rest House is also available.

UTHIRAMERUR (28 KMS)
An ancient Siva temple built according to silpa sastras that contains inscriptions about village administration in those days is situated here. There is also an ancient Vaishnavite temple which is massive in structure. It is multi-storyed with Astanga vimana.

SRIPERUMPUDHUR (29 KMS)
It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the father of Vaishnava Philosophy and hence an important pilgrim centre for the Vaishnavites. A memorial for Sri Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, is situated here. Tourist accommodation is available.

VANDALUR (35 KMS)
The new sprawling 1,265-acre Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, the biggest in South India, has, among other species, a superb collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles. The animals are in vast natural enclosures enabling them to move freely.