Kailasanatha Temple , Kanchipuram - கைலாஸ்நாத் கோவில்
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King Rajasimha, of the Pallava dynasty, built this Shiva temple in the early 8th century. It is an early structural temple, built of sandstone, and partly renovated in recent times. The modest scale of the temple, and the closeness of its enclosing wall, lend a feeling of intimacy to the surroundings.
Kailasanatha contains in embryo many of the features of the rapidly emerging South Indian style: gopuras, pilastered walls, a pyramidal shikhara, and a perimeter wall enclosing the complex.
Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), it is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries.
Rearing Yalis decorate the temple. The Yalis here, unlike many later styles, are not associated with human figures.
Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), it is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries.
Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), Kanchipuram is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries. These temples are the perfect study of the evolutionary changes that the South Indian architecture underwent while different reigns made their impressions on them.
Among the oldest temples in the temple city of Kanchipuram is Kailasanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. King Rajasimha, of the Pallava dynasty, built this Shiva temple in the early 8th century. An epitome of an early structural temple, Kailasanath Temple reflects the rapidly emerging South Indian style: gopuras, pilastered walls, a pyramidal shikhara, and a perimeter wall enclosing the complex.
Constructed mostly of limestone, the walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines. It has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions.
It is the only temple at Kanchipuram, which is devoid of any of the recent additions of the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers. It is believed that the temple also served as the king's shelter during wars and the remains of an escape tunnel in the temple's precincts attests to that fact.
On the auspicious day of Maha-Sivaraathri, thousands of ardent devotees converge to the temple. The temple is far removed from the city and thus quite peaceful. Under the maintenance of the Department of Archeology, Government of India, tourists are allowed to freely photograph the sculptures in and outside the temple, with the exception of the Sanctum and the main Deity.
Kailasanatha contains in embryo many of the features of the rapidly emerging South Indian style: gopuras, pilastered walls, a pyramidal shikhara, and a perimeter wall enclosing the complex.
Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), it is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries.
Rearing Yalis decorate the temple. The Yalis here, unlike many later styles, are not associated with human figures.
Shiva Bhikshatana
Shiva the Enchanting Mendicant, with sandals, unbound hair, and carrying his few possessions on a staff, is shown as a youthful ascetic, being worshiped by the wives he seduced. A disenchanted husband raises his fist in the upper left corner. The poise and gestural language of these figures (the flexion of Shiva's left leg and sandaled foot, his upward-pointing left hand, the outraged husband's martial stance, and the kneeling adoration of the seduced wives) lend vitality to the composition. Shiva's upward-pointing left hand is echoed, a couple of centuries later, by the upward-pointing right hand of his disciple Sambandar (Sambandha).kambareshvara Temple (Kanchipuram)
Ekambareshvara Temple, the largest in Kanchipuram, dates mostly from the 16th-17th centuries. The tall (60m, or 180 feet high) gopura, shown here, straddles the south entrance to the temple enclosure. It was erected in 1509 by king Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara. The entrance leads to a large mandapa. North of the mandapa is a tank; west of the mandapa is the main shrine which contains the earth lingam.Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), it is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries.
Kanchipuram is a pilgrimage city. A former Pallava capital (7th - 9th century), Kanchipuram is filled with temples dating from the 8th - 17th centuries. These temples are the perfect study of the evolutionary changes that the South Indian architecture underwent while different reigns made their impressions on them.
Among the oldest temples in the temple city of Kanchipuram is Kailasanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. King Rajasimha, of the Pallava dynasty, built this Shiva temple in the early 8th century. An epitome of an early structural temple, Kailasanath Temple reflects the rapidly emerging South Indian style: gopuras, pilastered walls, a pyramidal shikhara, and a perimeter wall enclosing the complex.
Constructed mostly of limestone, the walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines. It has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions.
It is the only temple at Kanchipuram, which is devoid of any of the recent additions of the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers. It is believed that the temple also served as the king's shelter during wars and the remains of an escape tunnel in the temple's precincts attests to that fact.
On the auspicious day of Maha-Sivaraathri, thousands of ardent devotees converge to the temple. The temple is far removed from the city and thus quite peaceful. Under the maintenance of the Department of Archeology, Government of India, tourists are allowed to freely photograph the sculptures in and outside the temple, with the exception of the Sanctum and the main Deity.
How to Reach
By Air
Chennai (75 km) is the nearest airport from Kanchipuram.By Rail
Trains for Kanchipuram are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, and Bangalore.By Road
Kanchipuram is well connected by a good network of roads.
