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== Demographics ==

{{As of|2001}} India [[census]], Kanchipuram had a population of 153,140 at a density of 13,428 persons per km<sup>2</sup>.{{sfn|Kanchipuram population|2012}} Males constitute 50.37% of the population and females 49.63%.{{sfn|Kanchipuram : Census 2011}} Kanchipuram has an average literacy rate of 74.8%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 69%.{{sfn|Kanchipuram population|2012}} 10% of the city population is under 6 years of age. According to the 2011 provisional totals{{Ref|b| '''b'''}}, Kanchipuram had a population of 164,265, constituting 81,987 males and 82,275 females covering an area of 36.14 km<sup>2</sup>.{{sfn|Kanchipuram population|2012}}{{sfn|Kanchipuram about municipality|2011}}During the British census of 1901, Kanchipuram had a population of 46,164 constituting 44,684 Hindus, 1,313 Muslims, 49 Christians and 118 Jains.{{sfn|Imperial Gazetteer of India|1908|pp=544–546}}

== Art and architecture ==

During the reign of Narasimhavarman I, Kanchipuram had an area of four square miles and an estimated population of 10,000.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=142}} With a substantial rise in population in the following years, the city developed cross patterned links with rectangular streets.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=143}} The residential areas in the city were arranged on caste-lines.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=143}} During the period of the Pallava king [[Nandivarman II]], houses were built on raised platforms and burned bricks.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=143}} The houses had verandahs in front and gardens in the rear. {{sfn|Rao|2008|p=143}} The heart of the city was occupied by [[Brahmins]], while the [[Tiruvekkaa|Tiruvekka temple]] and houses of agricultural labourers were situated outside the city.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 69}} There were provisions in the outskirts of the city for training the cavalry and infantry.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 69}} 

[[Ekambareswarar Temple]] is the largest temple in the city, dedicated to Hindu god [[Shiva]]. It is located in the northern part of the city.{{sfn|Let's Go |2004| p= 584}}  The temple ''gopuram'', the gateway tower, is 59&nbsp;m tall, making it one the tallest temple towers in India.{{sfn|Sajnani| 2001| pp= 305}} The temple is one of the ''[[Pancha Bhoota Stalam]]s'', the five temples each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature namely land, water, air, sky, and fire.{{sfn|Ramaswamy| 2007| pp= 301–302}} Ekambareswarar temple temple represents the element ''Earth''.{{sfn|Ramaswamy| 2007| pp= 301–302}}
[[Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple|Kailasanathar Temple]], dedicated to Shiva and built by the Pallavas, is the oldest temple still in existence and is declared an archeological monument by [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. The temple has a series of cells with sculptures inside.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 73}} In the [[Kamakshi Amman Temple]], goddess [[Parvati]] is depicted in the form of an ''yantra'', ''Chakra'' or ''peetam'' (basement). In this temple, the ''yantra'' is placed in front of the deity.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| pp= 70–71}} Adi Sankara is closely associated with this temple and believed to have established the [[Kanchi matha]] after this temple. Muktheeswarar Temple, built by Nandivarman II (720–796 CE){{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 86}} and [[Iravatanesvara Temple, Kanchipuram|Iravatanesvara Temple]] built by Narasimhavarman Pallava II (720–728 CE) are the other Shiva temples from the Pallava period. Kachi Metrali – Karchapeswarar Temple,{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 73}} Onakanthan Tali,{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 86}} Kachi Anekatangapadam,{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 86}} Kuranganilmuttam,{{sfn|Soundara Rajan| 2001| p= 27}} and Karaithirunathar Temple in Tirukalimedu are the Shiva temples in the city reverred in ''Tevaram'', the Tamil Saiva canonical work of the 7th-8th century.
[[File:Varadharajar1.jpg|200x200px|thumb|right|Sculpted pillars and stone chain in Varadarajar temple|alt=Two pillars with hanging stone chain]]
Kumarakottam is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god [[Muruga]], the son of Shiva and [[Parvathi]]. It is located between the Ekambareswarar temple and Kamakshi Amman temple, leading to the cult of [[Somaskanda]] (Skanda, the child between Shiva and Parvati).  ''Kandapuranam'', the Tamil religious work on Muruga, translated from Sanskrit ''Skandapurana'', was composed in 1625 CE by Kachiappa Shivacharya in the temple.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 110}} 


[[Varadharaja Perumal Temple]], covering an area of {{convert|23|acre|m2|sing=on}}, is the largest Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram. It was originally built by the [[Cholas]] in 1053 CE and was expanded during the reigns of the [[Kulottunga Chola I]] (1079–1120 CE) and Vikrama Chola (1118–1135 CE). It is an ancient temple and one of the ''[[divyadesams]]'', the 108 holy abodes of Vishnu. The temple has carved lizards, one platted with gold and another with silver, over the sanctum.{{sfn|Gateway to Kanchipuram district – Varadaraja Temple|2011}}Clive, who played a major role in the establishment of British rule in India is said to have presented an emerald necklace to the temple. It is called the Clive Makarakandi and is still used to decorate the deity on ceremonial occasions.{{sfn|K.V.|1975|pp=26–39}}[[Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram|Tiruparamechura Vinnagaram – Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple]] is the birthplace of the ''[[azhwar]]'' saint, [[Poigai Alvar]].{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 80}} The central shrine has a 3 tier shrine, one over the other, with Vishnu depicted in each of them.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 80}} The corridor round the sanctum has a series of sculptures depicting the [[Pallava]] rule and conquer.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 80}} The temple is the oldest Vishnu temple in the city built by the Pallava king [[Paramesvaravarman II]] (728–731 CE).{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 80}} [[Ashtabujakaram]], [[Tiruvekkaa]], [[Tiruththanka]], [[Tiruvelukkai]], [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Ulagalantha Perumal Temple]], [[Tiru pavla vannam]], [[Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple]] are among the ''divyadesam'', the 108 famous temples of Vishnu in the city.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 539}} There are a five other ''divyadesams'', 3 inside the Ulagalantha Perumal temple, one each in Kamakshi Amman Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=109}}

The mosque near Ekambareswarar temple was built during the rule of Nawab of Arcot in the 17th century. There is another mosque near the Vaikunta Perumal temple that shares a common tank with the Hindu temple. Muslims take part  in the festivals of the Varadarajaswamy temple.{{sfn|Religious places in Kanchipuram|2011}} Christ Church is the oldest church in the city built by a Britisher named Mclean in 1921. The church is built in Scottish style brick structure with arches and pillars.{{sfn|Religious places in Kanchipuram|2011}}

== Society and culture ==


Kanchipuram is considered to be one of the seven holiest cities for [[Hinduism|Hindus]] in India. According to Hinduism, a [[kshetra|kṣetra]] is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where ''[[moksha]]'', final attainment, can be obtained. The ''[[Garuda Purana]]'' enumerates seven cities as providers of ''moksha'', namely [[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], [[Haridwar]], [[Varanasi]], [[Ujjain|Avantikā]], [[Dvārakā]] and Kanchipuram.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 69}} The city is considered a pilgrimage site for both [[Saivites]] and [[Vaishnavites]].{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 69}}About 8 lakh pilgrims visit the city every year as of 2001.{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=145}}

[[File:BodhidharmaYoshitoshi1887.jpg|200x200px|thumb|right|Bodhidharma is believed to have spread Zen school of Buddhism from India to China|alt=Drawing depicting a saint in a background of trees]]
[[Buddhism]] is believed to have flourished in Kanchipuram between the 1st and 5th centuries CE.{{sfn|Trainor| 2001| p= 13}} Some notable Buddhists associated with Kanchipuram are Arya Deva (2–3rd century CE) – a successor of Nagarjuna of [[Nalanda University]], [[Dignaga]] and the Pali commentators [[Buddhaghosa]] and [[Dhammapala]].{{sfn|Rao|2008|p=20}} According to a popular tradition, the 5th-6th century CE Buddhist monk and founder of [[Shaolin Kung Fu]], [[Bodhidharma]], was the third son of a Pallava king from Kanchipuram.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1987|p=125-126}} However, other traditions ascribe his origins to other places in Asia.{{sfn|McRae|2000|p=26}} [[Jainism]] is believed to have been initiated into Kanchipuram by Kunda Kundacharya (1st century CE).{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 20}} Jainism spread in Kanchipuram after the defeat of Buddhists at the hands of Akalanka (3rd Century CE) after prolonged debates.  [[Kalabhras dynasty|Kalbhras]], the rulers of Kanchipuram before Pallavas followed Jainism and with royal patronage, Jainism grew in the region.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 20}} The Pallava kings, Simhavishnu, Mahendra Varman and Simhavarman (550–60 CE) followed Jainism, until the advent of ''[[Nayanmars]]'' and ''[[Azhwars]]'' during the 6th −7th century.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 20}} Conversion of [[Mahendravarman I]] from Jainism to Hinduism under the influence of the Naynamar, [[Appar]], was the turning point in the religious geography.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 20}} The two sects of Hinduism, namely [[Saivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]] revived under the influence of [[Adi Sankara]] and [[Ramanuja]] respectively.{{sfn|Ayyar| 1991| p= 69}}{{sfn|Smith|1914|p=468}} Later Cholas and Vijayanagara kings were tolerant towards Jainism, leaving traces of Jainism in Kanchi.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| p= 20}} Trilokyanatha/Chandraprabha temple is a twin Jain temple having inscriptions from Pallava king, [[Narasimhavarman II]] and the Chola kings Rajendra Chola I, [[Kulothunga Chola I]] and [[Vikrama Chola]], and the Kanarese inscriptions of [[Krishnadevaraya]].  The temple is maintained by Tamil Nadu archaeological department.{{sfn|''The Hindu''|23 June 2011}}

Kanchipuram is a traditional centre of silk weaving and handloom industries for producing [[Kanchipuram Sari]].
According to Hindu legend, Kanchipuram weavers are descendants of Sage [[Markanda]], the celestial weaver for Hindu gods.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}} While cotton is the favourite for Hindu god [[Shiva]], silk is favoured by [[Vishnu]].{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}} The existence of all the silk weavers around Vishnu Kanchi where most of the Vishnu temples are located, is attributed to the legend.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}} Historically, the Chola king, [[Raja Raja Chola I]] (985–1014 CE) invited the weavers to migrate to Kanchi.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}} The craft picked up with the mass migration from Andhra Pradesh in the 15th century during the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara rule]].{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}} During the French siege of 1757 CE, the city was burnt with the art, but the art reemerged in the late 18th century.{{sfn|Rao| 2008| pp= 134–135}}

The [[Kanchi Matha]] is a Hindu monastic institution, whose official history states that it was founded by [[Adi Sankara]] of [[Kaladi]], tracing its history back to the fifth century BCE.{{sfn|Saraswati|2001|p=492}}{{sfn|Dalal|2006|p=186}}{{sfn|Kuttan|2009|pp=244-245}} A related claim is that Adi Sankara came to Kanchipuram, and that he established the Kanchi mutt named "Dakshina Moolamnaya Sarvagnya Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam" in a position of supremacy, namely Sarvagnya Peetha, over the other mathas (religious institutions) of the subcontinent, before his death there.{{sfn|Kuttan|2009|pp=244-245}}{{sfn|Sharma|1987|pp=44-46}} Other historical accounts state that the mutt was established probably in the 18th century in [[Kumbakonam]], as a branch of the [[Sringeri Matha]], and that it declared itself independent.{{sfn|Dalal|2006|p=186}}

== Notes ==

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