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The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram - Beautiful Weekend Destination From Kanchipuram

6 Beautiful Weekend Destinations From Kanchipuram (2024)

Kanchipuram, the ‘Golden City of a Thousand Temples,’ is known far and wide for its beautiful Kanchipuram silk sarees. This popular destination in Tamil Nadu attracts tourists from all over the world who want to revel in the marvel and grandeur of South Indian architecture. Kanchipuram is a well-known cultural and philosophical hub of Indian, and over the years, the city has become an influential center in today’s times. Kanchipuram is the home of the famous Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, and people from all over India come here on a pilgrimage. While in Kanchipuram, if you have time on your hands, it is a great idea to visit some of the places near this famous city. There are many popular weekend getaway destinations that you can fit into your schedule easily. Here are the top weekend destinations near Kanchipuram you must visit.

6 Beautiful Weekend Destinations From Kanchipuram

1. Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh

If you are on a pilgrimage to Kanchipuram, it is a great idea to include the famous Tirupati as part of your religious tour. Tirupati is Andhra’s own temple town, and the world-famous Lord Venkateshwara Temple is located here. One of the seven hills in Tirupati is Tirumala, on which this renowned temple is located.

How far is Tirupati from Kanchipuram? Tirupati is located 108 kilometers away from Kanchipuram. Tirupati is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in India, and the temple is referred to as being the place where Lord Venkateshwara transformed into the form of an idol. Ever since then, this temple is believed to be the real home of the deity Govinda. The Venkateshwara Temple is often also referred to as the Tirupati Temple.

Tirupati is also one of the oldest cities in India, and there are many mentions of the city in the ancient Vedas and Puranas.

What is there to see in Tirupati? Apart from the famous Venkateshwara Temple, there are many other temples that you must check out when in Tirupati. These include:

Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Govindarajaswami TempleImage Source

  • Sri Kalahasti Temple
  • Kondandarama Temple
  • Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
  • Parashurameshwara Temple

2. ISKCON Temple

Another unique thing to check out in Tirupati is the geological wonder that must not be missed. The Silathoranam is a natural arch formed out of rocks that are located in the Tirumala Hills and is one of the most unique attractions of Tirupati. Some other places to visit in Tirupati include:

Amazing Weekend Destination From Kanchipuram-ISKCON TempleImage Source

  • Akasaganga Teertham
  • Swami Pushkarini Lake
  • Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple

3. Vellore

Located just 70 kilometers from Kanchipuram, Vellore City is another ideal weekend getaway you cannot miss. This ancient city is located towards the northeastern side of Tamil Nadu on the banks of the River Palar Vellore. Vellore is often referred to as the Fort City due to the magnificent Vellore Fort located in the heart of the city. In fact, a trip to Vellore will give you the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage.

What is famous in Vellore? Apart from the Vellore Fort, there are many ancient temples in Vellore that showcase the majestic Dravidian architecture. The city is also known for its Roman Catholic Diocese and the Ratnagiri Temple.

When you stroll around Vellore, you can catch the amalgamation of different dynasties that have left their distinct mark on the city’s architecture. From the Pallavas to the Cholas, from Vijayanagar to the Rashtrakuta, and from the Carnatic to the British Empire, everyone has left their distinguishing features on Vellore’s culture, tradition, and of course, architecture.

Here are some of the main attractions to visit during your weekend trip to Vellore:

Beautiful Weekend Destination From Kanchipuram-Vellore, Sripuram Golden TempleImage Source

  • Vellore Fort
  • St. John’s Church
  • Archaeological Survey of India Museum
  • Sripuram Golden Temple
  • Periyar Park
  • Virinjipuram Temple
  • Palamathi Hills
  • Tipu and Hyder Mahal
  • Jalakandeshwarar Temple
  • Kangal Falls
  • Punganur Lake
  • Gingee Fort

When is the best time to visit Vellore? Vellore is the hottest during the months of April and June, and it is that you avoid visiting the city at this time. The winter season from October to March is the best time to visit Vellore, even though January and December are the coldest months here.

4. Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh

Srikalahasti is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, and it is a holy city most famous for the Srikalahasti temple. This beautiful and ancient temple is revered as being one of the most important Shiva temples in South India, and it is home to the renowned Vayu Shiva Linga, known to be one of Panchabhoota Sthalam in India.

What is Srikalahasti famous for? The city of Srikalahasti has a rich and vibrant past. When in this city, don’t forget to visit the Srikalahasteeswara Temple, Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, the Sahasra Linga Temple, the Durgambika Temple, and the Bharadwaja Tirtham to get a glimpse of stunning Dravidian architecture and the beautifully carved interiors and colorfully adorned gopurams of these temples. Another huge draw for tourists here is the Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls that come cascading down from a great height.

Srikalahasti Temple, Srikalahasti in Andhra PradeshImage Source
When is the best time to visit Srikalahasti? The best season to visit this beautifully built city is during the winter months. The temperature remains comfortable, and you can easily go about your sightseeing without sweating. The months of October to March are preferred to visit this ancient temple city in Andhra Pradesh over the weekend.

5. Mahabalipuram

Located just 66 kilometers from Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a historically important and popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. This perfect weekend getaway is beautifully located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, giving you the perfect opportunity to have a quick beach holiday over the weekend. The Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram - Beautiful Weekend Destination From Kanchipuram

Image Source

Mahabalipuram was named after the famous demon king Mahabali, who had made this city his home. The city was later renamed as Mamallapuram, though locals still use the name Mahabalipuram itself.

What is famous in Mahabalipuram? There are many famous tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram that are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas. The Shore Temple is a unique temple that is actually located on the Mahabalipuram Beach.

Another top attraction in this city is the renowned Crocodile Bank, which is home to numerous exquisite species of alligators and crocodiles. Some of the top places to see in Mahabalipuram include:

  • Shore Temple
  • Mahabalipuram Beach
  • Five Rathas
  • Arjuna’s Penance
  • Alamparai Fort
  • Sandra
  • Crocodile Bank
  • Tiger Caves
  • Covelong or Kovalam Beach
  • Indian Seashell Museum
  • Krishna’s Butter Ball

When should you visit Mahabalipuram? The best time for a weekend getaway to Mahabalipuram is between October to March when the winter season sets in.

6. Vedanthangal

If you are in Mahabalipuram, you can make a quick detour to visit Vedanthangal. How far is Vedanthangal from Kanchipuram? Vedanthangal is located just about 50 kilometers from Kanchipuram and is mid-way between Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram.

What is Vedanthangal famous for? Vedanthangal is famous for its bird sanctuary. There is a compact water tank in Vedanthangal that spans an area of 30 hectares. The bird sanctuary is built around this tank and is home to over 30,000 species of birds every year, especially during migratory season.

Best Weekend Destination From Kanchipuram-Vedanthangal, Bird SanctuaryImage Source
This place is a bird watcher’s paradise as the sanctuary witnesses a wide variety of birds, including herons, spoonbills, ibises, egrets, and storks in the season. The Vedanthangal sanctuary is managed and protected by the locals of the area for centuries now. The reason behind this is that the locals realized long back that the bird droppings that fall into the water tank contain high amounts of nitrogen, which turns the water into a natural fertilizer. This saves them the cost of buying industrial fertilizers.

So whenever you are planning to visit Mahabalipuram, try to spend half a day admiring the natural beauty and birds flying around this beautiful sanctuary as well. The Vedanthangal is also the oldest water bird sanctuary in India.

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