Śrī Kacchapeśvarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Where Viṣṇu as the tortoise worshipped Śiva
⭐ Why it is famous
A Cōḻa-era temple whose name recalls Viṣṇu taking the kūrma (tortoise) form to worship Śiva here; its pillars carry unusually fine panels of the daśāvatāra.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Built by the Cōḻas in the tenth–twelfth centuries with later Vijayanagara additions, the temple stands in the old Śiva quarter of Kanchipuram and is administered by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 12:00 and 16:00 – 20:30
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; arcana tickets at the counter
- Uncrowded compared with Ekāmbaranātha and Kāmākṣī nearby
- Level courtyards, easy for elders
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Śrī Kacchapeśvarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, KanchipuramKanchipuram (CJ) — 2 km
- Government: Kanchipuram TNSTC bus stand, 1.5 km
- Private buses: Private buses from Chennai Koyambedu halt at the bypass
Chennai International (MAA) — 75 km
75 km from Chennai on NH-48 via Sriperumbudur; buses every 15 minutes.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Lodges near the bus stand, ₹800–₹2,000
- Mid-range hotels on Gandhi Road, ₹1,800–₹4,000
- Chennai for luxury stays, 75 km
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,300 | ₹3,000 | ₹6,500 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Kanchipuram silk weaving units
- Vaikunta Perumal temple
- Mahabalipuram (60 km)
📅 Best time to visit
November–February