Legends from the
past
Two hours from Chennai is the temple city of Kanchipuram,
also called Shiva-Vishnu Kanchi, one of the seven sacred
cities of India.
Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava dynasty from
the 6th century AD, and was later the citadel of the powerful
Chola kings and the Vijayanagar Rayas.
In its heyday, Kanchipuram was a center of culture, seat
of learning and one of the holy places that pilgrims flocked
to.
On your visit to Kanchipuram, you can see all its past
glory in the magnificent temples.
The temples have fascinating stories behind them (ask
your Guide for the story of how Lord Shiva defeated his
wife in a dance competition).
Each temple is an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture.
Kancheevaram Silks
Kanchi is also world famous for its woven silk fabrics. Today, shoppers from all over recognize Kancheevaram silk sarees for their lustre, durability and intricately patterned motifs.
75% of Kanchipuram’s population depends on the silk saree industry. Yet, the city does not manufacture silk, or indeed, any of the raw materials that go into silk making. Kanchi specializes only in handloom weaving.
Visit a Silk Weaver
- Weaving is a cottage industry, and the skills
are handed down from one generation to the next. It is
fascinating to see silk go through various stages - sorting,
starching, dyeing and weaving - before the final finished
product emerges.
Buy Silk
- If you’re looking to buy silk fabric -
cushion covers, scarves, sarees - then this is the place
for it. There are reputed silk houses, and prices are
lower than in Chennai.
Nadi Joshiyam – Palm Leaf Fortune
Reading
If you’re interested in a glimpse of your future,
you can try Nadi Joshiyam. Do it seriously, or do it for
fun!
The Joshiyars (readers) use nadi’s (palm leaves)
on which, they say, are written the life stories of several
people from around the world.
There is a large library of leaves (naturally!), and the
Joshiyar uses only your name and fingerprint to identify
the key to the leaves. The script is in archaic Tamil,
but our Tour Guides can translate – you can even
record the session on tape.
Ask us for more information on this if you’d like
to know more…but remember, not everyone gets a reading.
Folk Art Museum – amazing 400-year
old home
Visit the Shakuntala Jagannathan Museum of Folk Art at
Kanchipuram – this is a 400-year old house, which
the owners have opened to visitors.
It is now a rich store of household memorabilia, paintings,
et al. You can visit the prayer room, the kitchen utensils
room, and the zenana. You can also shop here for gifts
and bric-a-brac. |
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