Historical Geography of Ancient India c7.108

c7.108

*Conjeevaram*.—It is the modern name of the village Kacci or Kāñcī or Kāñcīpura (*Ibid.*, II, p. 259 f.n.). Patañjali in his *Mahābhāṣya* (IV. 1. 4; IV. 2. 2) mentions Kāñcīpura. It was one of the notable centres of Buddhist learning in South India (B. C. Law, *Geographical Essays*, I, pp. 79-80). This ancient place in South India is divided into two parts: Śivakāñcī and Viṣṇukāñcī. Some have divided it into three parts: Large Kāñcī, Small Kāñcī and Pilayar Koliyam. The temple at Śivakāñcī is the most ancient, and the temple at Viṣṇukāñcī was built later. The city of Kāñcī was influenced by Śaivism, Buddhism and Jainism. The Kāmākṣi temple at Conjeevaram is the most important. In the temple of Kailāsanāth there is a figure of Ardhanārīśvara. In the temple of Kacchapeśvara, Viṣṇu in the form of Kūrma is shown worshipping Śiva. There are many Viṣṇu temples. In the western part of the town which is called Viṣṇu-Conjeevaram various forms of Viṣṇu are depicted in sculptures in the temple of Baikunṭha-perumāl.