What to expect
Kachabeswarar Temple
A Shiva temple of Pallava origin with later Vijayanagara additions, whose name derives from the legend that Vishnu in his tortoise (kachchapa) incarnation worshipped Shiva here. The lingam is revered as Kachabeswarar, and the temple carries fine early sculptural work. It is one of the ancient Shivalayas of the temple-city of Kanchipuram.
Practical guide
Plan Kachabeswarar Temple
Typetemple
Nearest baseKanchipuram
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryFree
Nearest town/baseKanchipuram
DistrictKancheepuram
Place typetemple
Time neededAbout an hour.
A Shiva temple of Pallava origin with later Vijayanagara additions, whose name derives from the legend that Vishnu in his tortoise (kachchapa) incarnation worshipped Shiva here. The lingam is revered as Kachabeswarar, and the temple carries fine early sculptural work. It is one of the ancient Shivalayas of the temple-city of Kanchipuram.
Kachabeswarar Temple is planned from Kanchipuram, one of the travel bases in Kancheepuram district. Use Kanchipuram for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
Visiting
Kachabeswarar Temple — at a glance
Timings6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Best timeOctober to March; early morning or evening are most pleasant
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach Kachabeswarar Temple
Kanchipuram bus stand/railway station; Chennai airport ~75 km
Note the tortoise-incarnation sculptural motifs.
Getting there
How to visit
- Base yourself in Kanchipuram or nearby in Kancheepuram, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Distance by road
- Chennai72 km
- Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)65 km
- Vellore70 km
- Puducherry110 km
- Tirupati115 km
Road km to Kancheepuram; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
Weather in Kachabeswarar TempleSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Kachabeswarar Temple is
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Kachabeswarar Temple — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Kachabeswarar Temple?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at Kachabeswarar Temple?
Entry: Free. Timings: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Kachabeswarar Temple?
Base yourself in Kanchipuram or nearby in Kancheepuram, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for Kachabeswarar Temple?
About an hour.
What else is near Kachabeswarar Temple?
Nearby you can pair Chitragupta Temple (120 m), Ulagalantha Perumal Temple (210 m), Vazhukareeswarar Temple (230 m), Kachi Metrali Temple (240 m).
Read next
Stories, legends & history of Kachabeswarar Temple
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More stories, legends & guides from Kancheepuram
Image credits
- Kachabeswarar Temple:Tshrinivasan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0