Temples & Festivals

The  Devarajaswami Temple, more formally known as the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, is a major Hindu pilgrimage site in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Originally constructed during the Chola era and extensively expanded by the Vijayanagara kings, the temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, featuring a massive 23-acre complex with a seven-tiered Rajagopuram and an exquisitely carved 96-pillar marriage hall (kalyana mandapam). It is internationally renowned for the rare Athi Varadar festival, where a 12-foot wooden deity made of fig wood is raised from an underwater tank for public worship only once every 40 years. Another significant draw for devotees is the Golden and Silver Lizard shrine, where touching the celestial figures on the ceiling is believed to cleanse sins and ward off misfortune.

Kattaikkuttu is a traditional Tamil form of theatre.We are fundraising to safeguard and transmit Kattaikkuttu to future generations whilst ensuring it is a sustainable and dignified profession for those involved in it, including — for the first time — also women performers. To this purpose we have curated an exclusive series of exhilarating Mahabharata Kattaikkuttu shows that will be brought to you by a group of immensely talented young and senior actors, actresses, and musicians of the Kattaikkuttu Sangam. The Mahabharata Festival is spread over over 10 subsequent Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting on October 7 and ending on December 9, 2023. The shows will take place at the auditorium of the Kattaikkuttu Sangam in Punjarasantankal Village near Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. While all performances are freely accessible to everyone, we appreciate and need your support. You can support us by sponsoring a show (Rs. 50,000), by obtaining an “I love Kattaikkuttu” donor pass (Rs. 1000) or donating such a pass to a family member, friend or colleague. Your donation will make a big difference to the young performers who have opted to make Kattaikkuttu their profession – a decision that has not always been easy in today’s society. We count on your generosity to keep this beautiful Tamil theatre form alive and kicking!

In the heart of Kanchipuram, the Kamakshi Amman Temple stands as a sacred portal where the divine meets the mortal. Devotees come from all corners of the world, drawn by the temple’s mystical reputation. Among the temple’s most captivating mysteries is the Sri Chakra, hidden beneath the idol of Goddess Kamakshi. Legend says that Adi Shankaracharya himself installed it, imbuing the space with powerful spiritual energy that grants peace and prosperity to those who seek it with pure devotion. During grand festivals, the Golden Chariot is brought out, its beauty and sanctity believed to fulfill the deepest wishes of those who witness the goddess’s procession. Stories of miraculous recoveries from illness, the blessing of children, and divine visions abound, further cementing the temple’s reputation as a site of unexplainable miracles.

When: Annually in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) for about 10 days. kancheekailasasarvajnapeetham-kingdoms.kailasa.sk+1What happens:

When: In the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). Culture and Heritage+1What happens:

When: In the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), when the star Uttiram (Uttara Phalguni) aligns with the full moon. BhaktiBharat.com+2Wikipedia+2What happens: