Kanchi Kailasanathar temple

Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and is the oldest temple of all in this temple town.

Kanchi Kailasanathar temple Legend

It is said that Romasa Maharshi did penance for Lord Siva to attain salvation (Moksha), as his Guru Agastya Rishi suggested. Impressed with the penance, Lord Siva appeared before him and advised him to take a Pradakshina passage inside the main shrine to attain salvation.

Kanchi Kailasanathar temple History

In 685 A.D., Rajasimha of the Pallava dynasty began construction on this temple. In the year 705 AD, his son Mahendra Varma III finished this. This temple is known for its Dravidian style with amazing sculptures. Rajaraja Chola constructed the Kailasanathar temple’s interior courtyard in the 12th century. There are 58 Siva temples within the temple complex, each with a different style. One of the specialties of this temple is the sandstone compound. This temple is very famous for its outstanding limestone art and sculpture.

Rajasimha, also known as King Narasimavarman-II (A.D. 700–720), was responsible for building the majority of the Pallavas’ temples in Siva-Kanchi. The Kailasanatha temple, also known as Rajasimhesvaram and built-in 700 AD, was the most impressive of all of them. This well-known temple was designed using Vastu Sastra science. The monarch Rajasāmha, who constructed this temple, identifies himself as a devotee of Saivism (saiva Siddhatavarga), a lover of Ithihasa (Ithihasapria), and an adherent of Agamas (Agamanusari). The temple is filled with several sculptures that depict Siva in all of his guises. About 250 titles, or Bridas, belong to the king. These are all found in the elegant Pallava Grantha inscriptions in bold characters, etched on granite stone slabs that are fastened at the base of the Adhistana moldings of the Parivar shrines encircling the temple courtyard. Built of sandstone, the temple is a classic example of a royal shrine. Mahendravarman III, the son of Rajasimha, constructed and erected a shrine at the entrance of the temple, known as Mahendravarma-Simesvaram.

East of the vimana and in the middle of the spacious courtyard is where the Maha Mandapa is located. Although a subsequent mandapa connected the two structures as they are now seen, the mandapa originally stood apart from the vimana. The maha mandapa contains some of the most remarkably antiquated features in the entire temple, such as the enormous stone pillars with their weighty square capitals. The subsequent Chalukyan inscription may be seen in one of the capitals of this ancient Maha Mandapa. Currently, the multi-pillared hall in front of the main vimana resembles an oblong mandapa from the same era. Narada Linga Temple is a minor temple located east of this maha mandapa. It is named such because it is situated in the middle of the wall that divides the smaller and larger courts. Mahendra-Varmesvara-Griham is the name of the temple mentioned in the inscription on the stair’s side. The walls separating the two courts surround the shrine’s north and south walls. This temple’s sanctum also houses a massive black stone linga, and the Somaskanda panel is located on the back wall. The sculptures are located on the inner wall of this temple’s Ardkamandapa.

Interesting Facts about Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

There is a passage within the temple where the main shrine is; this passage connects from one side to another in a circle along with the Siva linga. A devotee who walks through this passage believing that “some good may happen within seven days in my life” will be blessed with good fortune. Another belief is that one will attain salvation (Moksha) through this passage. The main lingam has 16 faces, and the inner circle of the prakaram is meant for birth and death. That has been carved in such a way that only a few with slim personalities may get through and come out.

Kailasanathar Temple is one of the nine Shaiva Kshetras. These nine Shaiva kshetras represent nine planets (Nava Grahas). Kailasanathar temple represents the planet Ketu. It is believed that one who worships Lord Siva here will be relieved of Ketu’s problems.

How do I reach Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple?

The temple is 108 km from Tirupati. A direct bus to Kanchipuram is available at regular intervals.
The temple is 80 km from Chennai.
Temple is 2,4 km from Kanchipuram bus station.
Temple is 2.5 km from Kanchipuram Railway station.