Tamil Nadu is a wonderful tourist destination. It has natural beauty. blue beaches and clear skies. People enjoy the peace amidst the lively and magnificent temples. There are more than 30,000 temples in Tamil Nadu, which has given the state the distinctive title of 'A Land of Temples'. Built by various dynasties these temples bear a superficial resemblance to each other in that they share the same physical features - the gopuram or the imposing tower over the entrance and the spacious halls and corridors.

Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kanchipuram is the birth place of C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna" by the people of Tamil Nadu.

Places of interest

Vaikuntam Perumal Temple This is one of the important Vishnu temples which was built by Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla in the 7th century A.D. Numerous inscriptions are found in this temple relating to the wars between the Pallavas and Challukyas. The presiding deity Lord Vishnu is depicted in sitting, standing and reclining postures.

Kailasanathar Temple This Pallava temple was constructed in the 8th century and has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.

Ekambareswarar Another ancient temple of Kanchipuram, it has been renovated by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar Kings. The 57 metres (188") high Rajagopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India. The 2,501 - year old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yielding different varities of mangoes. This temple has five spacious corridors (prakrams) and a beautiful 1,000 - pillar hall

Varadarajar Temple Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings and the presiding deity is Devarajaswamy. The 100-pillared hall of this temple proves the mastery of the sculptors of Vijayanagara in fine artists. Among the best pieces are the severed halves of a large chain carved out of a single stone and the figures of the God of Love and his consort astride a swan and a parrot.

Kamakshi Amman Temple This is one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India, the others being Madurai and Varanasi. The temple in the present form was built by the Cholas during 14th centuary A.D.

Anna Memorial Kanchipuram is the birth place of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar statesman, affectionately called Anna - The Elder Brother - by the general public. His ancestral house located here has been converted into a memorial

Enathur (5 kms ) Rustic rural setting adorn this village. Kanchi Sankara Mutt, has set up a University for Advanced learning at Enathur. Library with ancient books, palm leaf manuscripts on various subjects are housed in this University comlex. 60 feet-high statue of Adi Sankara is put up in the front of the University. Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims and scholars frequent this place regularly.

Handloom Industry Kanchipuram's exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for texture, lustre, durability and finish. More than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry and their spectacular creations are marketed by a number of co-operative socities, located all over the state. The Tamil Nadu Handloom House offers attractive rebates.