Temple towns in peninsular India represent an important phase in the history of urbanisation, where religious institutions became central to the growth and development of urban settlements. These towns emerged around major temples that functioned not only as centres of worship but also as economic, social, cultural, and political institutions. The development of temple towns was particularly significant in South India from the early medieval period onwards, especially under the Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara rulers. The emergence of temple towns was closely linked with the expansion of agriculture and the formation of powerful regional kingdoms. Rulers granted land, villages, and revenue rights to temples, which enabled these institutions to become major centres of economic activity. Temples received donations from kings, merchants, and local communities, allowing them to maintain large establishments. The surplus generated from agricultural production supported artisans, traders, priests, and service groups who settled around these religious centres. Thus, temples became nuclei around which urban settlements developed. One of the most prominent examples of temple urbanism in peninsular India is Kanchipuram in present-day Tamil Nadu. Under the Pallavas, Kanchipuram developed as a major religious and cultural centre. The city was famous for its numerous temples, including the Kailasanatha Temple and the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple. It attracted pilgrims, scholars, artisans, and traders, contributing to its urban growth. The temple complexes played a significant role in organizing economic and social life within the city. The Chola period witnessed the remarkable