Conjeeveram or KANCHIPURAM (ARKONAM- CHINGLEPUT SECTION) is of all-India importance. It is 22 miles west of Chingleput and 57 miles south-west of Madras (Egmore) by rail. Through trains run to Conjeeveram from Madras. Kanchipuram is of interest to tourists.

Conjeeveram is known as the city of temples, one of the "Saptapuris" or seven sacred cities of India; the other six of the "Saptapuris" are Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Benares, Avantika and Dwarka. Of these, three are sacred to Siva and three to Vishnu; while Kanchipuram is pre-eminent in that it is sacred to the worshippers both of Siva and Vishnu. It is also known as Dakshina Kasi.

This town is rich with historic reminis-cences of an eventful past and an opulent store-house of exquisite monumental art. Prof. Geddes, the town-planning expert, has spoken in terms of high praise of the formation of this ancient city. According to the account of Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveller who visited this place in the 8th Century A.D., Conjeeveram (Kanchipuram) is as old as Gautama Buddha.

He says that Buddhism was then the prevailing creed, that Dharmapala was born at Kanchi and that Asoka built many stupas here. For centuries, Buddhism, Jainism and later, Hinduism contended for supremacy in this ancient city. When finally both Sankara, the great Hindu Reformer of the middle ages and Ramanuja, the Vaishnavite Philosopher, succeeded in resuscitating Hinduism, Sankaracharya established in Kanchi, the Kamakotipita (Episcopal seat) and it remained there, until on invitation from the Raja of Tanjore, it was removed further south to Tanjore and later on to Kumbakonam, where it now exists.

Conjee-veram, popularly known as Kanchi, was the capital of successive dynasties of Hindu rulers - originally of the Pallava, later of the Chola and then of the Vijayanagar Kings. After the fall of Vijayanagar dynasty, it passed into Mussalman and Mahratta hands, until the English took it away from the former, in 1752, in the wars with the French. Kanchipuram is now an important Taluk town in the Chingleput District of the Madras State.

The temples of Siva are situated in Big Conjeeveram or Siva Kanchi. The temples of Vishnu are in the western part of the town, i.e., in Vishnu Kanchi. This locality is known as Little Conjeeveram, because the Vishnu temples are smaller in number than those of Siva. The temples of Kamakshi, Ekambaranatha, Kailasanatha, Kumara Kottam and Katchabeswara are the most important of the Siva temples. In the Kamakshi Amman temple the Chakra (the sacred disc with mystic letters) placed in front of the idol is a unique feature, rarely missed by visitors. Ordinarily, in other Hindu temples, it is embedded in the earth, under the idol. This sacred disc in front of the idol is stated to have been fixed by Sri Sankaracharya. The temple of Ekambaranatha enshrines the Prithivi Linga, representing one of the five elements, viz., earth. This temple is the largest in the town and contains many inscriptions, which furnish material for ancient Indian history. The great temple tower here was built by Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar. Sri Kailasanatha temple is one of the oldest temples in India, built in the reign of Rajasimha about 700 A. D. It is famous for the beauty of its sculpture, and is a fine specimen of Pallava Architecture. Of the temples of Vishnu, the most important is that of Varadaraja, built on a hillock and it has a beautifully carved hall of pillars. Achyuta Raya of the Vijayanagar dynasty visited the temple and made large presents of pearls and ornaments to the deity. The Garudotsavam of Varadaraja in the month of May-June is unique in picturesqueness and grandeur.

Conjeeveram is the birth place of the Vaishnavite Saint, Poygai Alwar and also of Chanakya or Kautilya, the author of the famous Arthasastra or Political Science. The famous saint Thirumangai Alwar has sung in praise of the Deity at Kanchi.

A sacred Jain place, Tirupparutti Kunram, is situated about 2 miles from Conjeeveram. It is noted for its paintings and architecture.

Conjeeveram is famous for its hand-woven cotton and silk sarees and dhotis.

COONOOR (METTUPALAIYAM - OOTACAMUND SECTION) is the second largest of the hill stations in the Nilgiris the others being Ootacamund and Kotagiri. It lies about 12 miles below Ootaca-mund by rail and its altitude is 6,000 ft. The climate is mild and genial and some people prefer it to Ootacamund for this reason. The average day temperature is 65° F°. The North-East monsoon sets in about the middle of October and lasts for about two months. Like its sister station Ootacamund, Coonoor has equal facilities for visitors in the way of hotels and shops, while the easy journey by rail between the two stations lends itself to an exchange of amenities. There are many places in and around Coonoor which are worth visiting :-Sym's Park, The Dolphin's Nose, Kateri Falls, Lady Canning Seat, The Pasteur Institute and The Nutrition Research Labora-tories.

Kotagiri is about 14 miles from Coonoor and 18 miles from Ootacamund. Its altitude is 500 feet higher than that of Coonoor and 800 feet below that of Ooty. Kotagiri, unlike Coonoor and Ootacamund, is not served by the railway. Motor buses run from Coonoor Railway Station daily and the road journey does not occupy more than an hour. It is also reached by a ghat road, 21 miles long from Ootacamund. Kotagiri enjoys a climate half way between that of Coonoor and Ooty. Though not provided with the same standards of modern amenities as Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri offers to the visitor beautiful natural surroundings, a remarkable quietude and opportunities for real rest and relaxation.

Courtallam-Nature's Beauty Spot (VIA TENKASI: VIRUDHUNAGAR-TENKASI SECTION): The village of Courtallam is at the foot of the Wes-tern Ghats about 3½ miles from Tenkasi Rail-way Station and is reached by a good road. It is about 450 feet above mean sea-level and has a cool and bracing climate during the South-West monsoon months from June to October. As we draw near the mountain, the ozone laden air wafts a cool greeting to the visitor. Courtallam can also be reached from Shencotah Railway Station, the distance to the waterfall being about 4½ miles.