KANCHIPURAM

Kanchi enjoys the rare privilege of treasuring up a unique temple culture that none but Kanchi alone could claim equality with it in matters of spiritual height it scaled, commercial superiority it established and political might it displayed.  It has been enriching the glory of our much-venerated Hinduism by its spectacular political achievements, remarkable spiritual associations, and unparalleled literary eminence, since the Vedic times.  Its unprecedented renown springing from more than one segment of national life carved out for itself a meritorious niche in the cultural history of our Akhanda Bharatha Khanda.

Its religious tolerance and political stability were applauded by the incarnations of the august divinities. And the inscriptional evidence available speaks volumes of its former glory.  So it is a temple city with a speciality of high order.  It is to this self-same place, Parvathi was directed to descend for doing penance to purge of the sin of insulting her own Pati; it is this city that was deemed by Lord Siva as one of his two eyes, the other being Kasi; it is this holy Kshetra that enshrines the Prithivilinga representing one of the five elements; it is this Punya Kshetra that was on par with Kasi - the much-hallowed thirtha Kshetra, and also adorns the list of five indispensable pilgrimage centres; it is this Punya Kshetra that was chosen by Sankara Bhagavatpada for establishing one of the Kama k-;oti Peethas for spreading Vedic Dharma; it is this august place that set limits to the presiding deity - Kamakshi Ambika by none but a mortal - 

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