I left my house in Bangalore at 5:00 AM and drove to Kanchipuram. After breakfast, I arrived around 10:00 AM and visited several temples.
At the first temple, a strange old man approached me and said, "Camera fee is 20 rupees, entrance fee is 100 rupees." Indeed, there was something that looked like a counter next to him, and it said "camera fee 20 rupees," but it didn't mention the entrance fee. I remembered that the guidebook seemed to say it was free... I reluctantly paid and said, "Please give me a receipt," but he said, "I don't have a receipt now. I'll give it to you later." However, I said, "I'll pay later if you don't have a receipt," and I got back the money for the camera as well.
Then, as I was about to put my sandals aside and go inside, that man followed me. It seems he was trying to be a guide. I told him that I didn't need a guide and went inside. It seems he didn't follow me inside.
Then, inside, there was a clear sign that said, "For foreigners. Entrance fee is free" (laugh).
There are unscrupulous guides everywhere.
There are many temples in this town, and I visited five of them, but there were strange guides and beggars at each of them.
Even people wearing cards from the tourism bureau or archaeological association seemed suspicious.
They said, "We're collecting donations," but it seemed like they were going to put the money directly into their pocket, so I didn't give them anything.
In most temples, the innermost area is a sacred space for Hindus only, but in some temples, the area restricted to Hindus seems to have expanded compared to what's written in the guidebook.
However, some temples are not tourist destinations, and places like these are sometimes nice.
