Kanchipuram

This holy city is the best place to observe the evolution of Dravidian temple architectural styles, patronised by rulers across the centuries. Kanchipuram has a cluster of 108 Shaivite temples and 18 Vaishnavite temples, so it’s wise to focus on a few. Its gems include the Kamakshi Amman temple, Sri Varadaha Perumal temple and the Kailasanatha temple. The other claim this city can lay to fame, is for the exquisite hand-woven Kanchipuram silk sari, so don’t forget to pick one up from one of the shops on Gandhi Road. At a distance of just 83 km from Chennai.