Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is the Hindu Temple with the oldest Tamil architecture situated in Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu .
Direction of Temple
This Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is located at the Western part of the Kancheepuram on the coastal area of the Vegavathy River. This Temple facing towards the east, is 75Km away from Chennai. This temple is under the maintenance of the Archeological Department.
History
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple had been the first structural Temple of South India. This temple was built in Tamil Nadu by the famous Pallava King NarasimhavarmanII (Rajasimha Pallaveswaram) during the period between 685-705AD. Then MahendravarmanIII (son of the King Rajasimha Pallaveswaram) had built the temple gopuram and front façade.
The kanchi kailasanathar Temple was built in the Dravidian Architectural style. The other earlier built temples using the hewin or wood as seen in Mahabalipuram. Near this place, a secret underground subway is still here, which was built by the Kings for escape.
It is said that King Raja Raja Chola made a visit to this temple during 985 to 1014 CE. This King Chola got the inspiration from this temple to build the Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjavur.
Structure of Temple
In Kailasanathar Temple, there is a Gopuram, mandapam, garbagriham (sanctum) and a compound wall. This gopuram (Pyramidal tower) leads to the entrance gate that leads to the Temple. The main monument is made of black granite known for Shivalingam with 16 sides. Then the Pillars have the feature of mythical Lion in the Mandapam. Then the compound wall encloses the temple shrine. Here the compound wall has the carving of 58 small shrines which shows the dancing forms of the God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. This Temple depicts the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman belief in Saivism, since this Temple is an oldest inscription that shows the records of twenty eight Saivagamas (Shiva Saints). Through the years, the artworks in the interior walls are protected
Peculiar features
Kanchi Kailasa Temple consists of more than 60 shrines which attracts a number of tourists from India and other foreign countries. Then a large Nandi Statue and pond are there in this Temple. But there is barbed wire that prevents the tourists near this pond entering this area.
Next to the green lawn around this place, where the visitors sit for some time to avail relaxation. In the morning time, the visitors can see a number of parrots in the surroundings of the Temple. This place is more suitable for the visitors who wish to capture photos. Both the greenery and architectural background in this place gives the pleasant and visual treat for the tourists.
Then the tall tower has more monuments with all its outer faces, with the outlook of smaller shrines. There are three styles in this shrine, which are Kuta(Square), sala(rectangular) and panjara(apsidal). Among these small shrines, eight of them beautify the entrance wall.
Unique channel of this Temple
There is a unique channel, in which the devotees pass through as a different way of worship. They believe that passing through this channel, gives them Moksha (prevents them from Re-birth). They enter this tunnel through the first passage that symbolizes the gate of Birth. This leads to the seven steps, after which there is an Exit Gateway. The other belief is that going through this passage, resembles the Life cycle of a human being, since it starts from the Birth gateway(symbolizes birth) and ends at the Death gateway(symbolizes death).
Festivals
In this Kanchi Kailasa Temple, the biggest festival is the Maha Shivaratri, which occurs at the month of February or March annually. During this festival, a huge number of devotees attend to offer prayers and take part in the Pooja at the evening.
Other notable Temples
The other nearby famous Temples in Kanchipuram are the Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambarantha Temple, Kumarakottam Temple, Varadaraja Perumal and the Kachapeshwarar Temple.
How to reach this temple?
A number of buses are available from Chennai to Kachipuram. From there, you can reach this Temple through a local Vehicle like auto. Those who wish to travel through the Train, can board the Train from Chennai to Kanchipuram. The nearest Airport to Kanchipuram is Chennai Airport.
Location: Kanchipuram (Kancheepuram), Tamil Nadu.
Timings: Morning – 5.30am to 12pm (Timings may vary in festival occasions).
Evening – 4pm to 9pm.
Days to Visit: All days