1. Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kick off the amazing one day Kanchipuram tour with the visit to the most sacred shrine of Kamakshi Amman Temple. Spanning over 5 acres of land the auspicious holy shrine has five wonderful entrances. A statue of God Kalabhairava and the statue of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini adorn the main entrance. The temple has the idol of Goddess Kamakshi in a sitting posture called as Parabrahma Swarupini holding a bunch of flowers and a sugarcane bow in the lower two hands and two divine chakras in the upper two hands.

Admire the image of the Goddess that is representing with two hands, one holding a bunch of flowers and another having sugarcane bow. There is a beautiful image of a parrot over the bunch of flowers. An outstanding shrine has splendid mandapams and a stunning golden vimanam that astounds every visitor. The outer prakaram of the sanctum sanctorum has the deities of Ayyappan, Saraswati, Annapoorni and Adi Shankaracharya.

It is considered as one of the Shakti Peethas, the divine temples of Adhiparasakthi. Arupa Lakshmi Devi, Varahi,Santhana Ganapati, Chora Perumal, Soundarya Lakshmi and Syamala Lakshmi are the other deities enshrined in the temple.

Must see \ Things to do:Watch for the amazingly carved gopuram at the entrance

2. Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Next stop of the one day Kanchipuram tour from Chennai by car is the revered Varadharaja Perumal Temple constructed in 1053. A marvellous spiritual complex exhibits the magnificence of the Dravidian style of architecture. Visitors would be captivated with the craftsmanship of the workers who created the temple. Spanning over an area of 23 acres of land the ancient temple has Lord Varadaraja Perumal as the presiding deity that appears in the standing form.

The original idol which is believed to have been self manifested features Lord Varadaraja in the reclining form made of Athi wood. Situated in Big Kanchi the sacred place is one of the 108 Divyadesams. Legends state that the great saint of Vaishnavites, Ramanuja had been residing in the temple which has also been visited by the 12 Alvars.

A significant part of the temple is the gold and silver plated lizards on the ceiling of the temple. It is believed that touching these sacred lizards would relieve the visitors of their ill deeds and any unwanted happening that could occur due to the fall of the lizards on them.

Wander through the 1200 year old temple that has amazing three prakarams, 32 shrines and 19 beautifully carved vimanas. Gaze at the lion pillars surrounding the central shrine and the spell bound one thousand pillared halls.

Must see \ Things to do:Worship Lord Vishnu

3. Vaikunta Perumal Temple

Proceeding further with our 1 day Chennai to Kanchipuram trip we move to see Vaikunda Perumal Temple. An intriguing temple has Lord Vaikunda Perumal in reclining, standing and seated forms. An ancient temple built in 690 CE by Pallava King Nandivarman II is one of the 108 Divyadesams and also known as Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram.

A must visit temple is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture and surrounded by granite wall with no gopurams unlike the other South Indian temples. It encompasses a temple tank called Airammadha and a beautifully constructed Vimanam called Mukunda Vimanam. An outstanding mandapam leads to the inner complex of the temple which is well maintained and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Temple walls have several inscriptions depicting the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and life of Cholas and Pallavas.

Must see \ Things to do:A must-see sight is the thousand pillared hall

4. Kailasanathar Temple

Head over to worship Lord Shiva with the one day Kanchipuram local sightseeing tour at the Kailasanathar Temple. Erstwhile king of Pallava dynasty, Rajasimha had built the temple in 685 to 750 AD which enshrines a ten feet high Shiva Linga with 16 faces. This awe-inspiring temple enchants travellers with its architectural splendour with several structures resembling those of Kanchipuram Temple. A significant feature of the temple is the pillared mandapam with mythical lion mounts.

The spectacular temple majorly made of sandstones is enclosed within rectangular layout and maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. Admire the huge Nandi which has a pond near it, though barred from entry.

Must see \ Things to do:

5. Ekambareswarar Temple

Another attraction of the full day Kanchipuram local town tour is the Ekambareswarar Temple. One of the pancha bootha Kshetras, the expansive temple has Lord Shiva as Ekambareswarar and his consort Goddess Parvati as Gowri Devi Amman. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Prithvi Lingam in the temple. Admire the wonderful towers at the entrances called gopurams with the tallest tower at the southern entrance with a height of 55 meters.

Visitors admire the sacred 3500 years old temple tree called Sthala Vruksham with four branches that bears different types of mango fruits in four different seasons. The pancha bootha Kshetras signifies the five elements of earth named the wind, water, fire, earth and space. Under the mango tree there is a shrine of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kamakshi. Constructed in 600 AD the temple is believed that the linga was built by Goddess Parvati.

Must see \ Things to do:Watch Lord Vishnu as Nilathingal Thundam Perumal

6. Kumarakottam Temple

Having worshipped Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu we move ahead to worship Lord Murugan in the holy temple, Kumarakottam Temple. A wonderful temple enshrines Lord Muruga holding a kamandalu and prayer beads of Rudraksha.

Renowned as Subramanya Swamy Temple the temple was rebuilt in 1915. Visitors would be delighted to view the pinnacle above the main sanctum built in granite and in the shape of a dome called chakra Vimanam.

Must see \ Things to do:Watch the other wonderful shrines within the sacred spiritual complex