Weekend Trip: Kanchipuram & Chennai

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 Work had brought me to Hyderabad, but before my Monday workshop in Chennai, I found myself with a free weekend. I decided to spend it in Kanchipuram and Chennai, both cities rich in history, temples, and personal memories.

The weekend began in Kanchipuram on Saturday morning. I first stopped at my parents’ home, spent some time with them, and shared lunch — a grounding way to start the trip. Later, I met my friends and together we visited a few of the city’s most iconic temples.

🌸 Kamakshi Amman Temple




  • History & Significance: One of the most revered Shakti Peethas, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, worshipped as the embodiment of love, grace, and divine strength.

  • Architecture: Built in classic Dravidian style, the temple is known for its golden gopuram, intricate carvings, and the powerful sanctum housing the Goddess.

  • My Reflection: For me, this temple feels deeply personal — every darshan here is a reminder of devotion and the blessings that guide important moments in life.

🌳 Ekambareswarar Temple




  • History & Significance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing the element of Earth (Prithvi). Legends say Goddess Parvati worshipped Shiva here under the sacred mango tree.

  • Architecture: Famous for its 59-meter-tall gopuram and vast courtyards, the temple showcases the grandeur of Pallava and Vijayanagara architecture. The highlight is the ancient mango tree, believed to be over 3,500 years old, with four branches symbolizing the four Vedas.

  • My Reflection: It rained during our visit, and the wet granite courtyards glistened in the monsoon light. The showers gave the temple a sense of freshness and divine calm.

🕉️ Parthasarathy Temple (Triplicane, Chennai)




  • History & Significance: One of Chennai’s oldest temples, dedicated to Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy (the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata). It dates back to the Pallava era (8th century) and is revered as a Divya Desam (one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples).

  • Architecture: The temple showcases Dravidian architecture with a richly decorated gopuram, long mandapas, and sanctums for multiple deities including Krishna, Narasimha, and Rama. The sculptures narrate scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

  • My Reflection: Standing here, I felt the weight of centuries of devotion. The chants, the priests, and the bustling crowd reminded me of Chennai’s deep spiritual heartbeat.

🙏 Sai Baba Temple, Chennai




  • History & Significance: Dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba, the temple draws devotees seeking blessings of peace, guidance, and protection.

  • Architecture: Simpler in design compared to the towering gopurams, the temple is serene, with whitewashed walls and calm interiors.

  • My Reflection: Sitting in silence here felt like a pause — a moment to breathe and reflect before stepping back into the city’s energy.

🛍️ Saree Shopping in Chennai

  • Experience: Chennai is world-famous for its silk sarees. What struck me most was the efficiency - you could pick a saree, get the blouse stitched the same day, and have everything delivered by evening.

  • My Reflection: Shopping here wasn’t just retail therapy; it felt like being wrapped in tradition, with a touch of modern convenience.

Maha Periyava – Kanchi Sankaracharya

  • History & Significance: Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, known to all as Maha Periyava or Kanchi Periyava, was the 68th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He became the head of the Peetham at the young age of 13 and guided it for more than 80 years. Revered as one of the greatest saints of the 20th century, he revived Vedic traditions, safeguarded dharma, and inspired generations with his life of discipline, compassion, and simplicity. People lovingly called him a “walking god” for the divine aura he carried.

  • Teachings & Influence: Maha Periyava’s teachings were not elaborate discourses but timeless truths delivered in the simplest ways. He emphasized humility, compassion to all beings, daily prayer, and living with awareness of dharma. His presence alone was said to transform the hearts of people who came to him.                                                                                                                                               🌼My Reflection: For me, Maha Periyava is not just a saint — he is my family guru, and the foundation of my upbringing. His teachings shaped the way I was raised and formed the values that continue to guide me today. Growing up in Maharashtra, I remember following him with my family whenever he visited, and we would never begin a major celebration or step into an important moment of life without first seeking his blessings. Even in a crowd, being in his presence felt deeply personal  - his calm gaze carried a sense of reassurance and strength that I still carry with me. Returning to Kanchipuram, the land so closely associated with him, always feels like returning home to my spiritual roots

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