Information of Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

The kanchi Kailasanathar temple is one of the most ancient formations in Kanchipuram. The temple is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity of the temple is the revered Hindu god Lord Shiva and is quite popular owing to its historical implication. The temple is specifically situated on the land adjoining the Vedavathi River which lies on the western boundaries of the city of Kanchipuram.

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Religious Significance

Lord Shiva like all the other temples is represented in the form of a lingam. The chief place of worship houses a Shivlinga with 16 sides and made of black coloured granite stone sanctified in the temple itself. The area of the chief shrine includes a padabhanda adhisthana meaning a centrally located podium with quite gracefully engraved images of various gods along with a moulded form of Nandi, the sacred bull who is believed to be protecting the deity. Numerous representations of gods and goddesses such as Skanda, Tripurantaka, Narasimha Vishnu, Brahmi with his wife, Durga, Bhavati, Garudarudha-Vishnu, Shiva Tandava and vandalism of Daksha and Yagna can be observed on the walls inside the temple. The wall of the temple facing towards the south includes quite a graceful representation of Lord Shiva in a seated position of tranquillity and harmony which is referred to as Dakshinamurti. The wall towards the west of the temple includes another representation of Lord Shiva in the figure of Lingodhbav. Thousands of devotees flock to the temple from various parts of the country each year on the occasion of Maha Shiv Ratri as it is believed to be exceptionally auspicious.

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Mythology & History

It has been learnt from the ancient records of Indian mythology that there exists a belief which states that Romasamaharshi indulged in an act of self punishment and prayed to Lord Shiva for the reason of attaining salvation which was actually advised by the eminent sage Agastya who was also his guru. On being satisfied with Romasamaharshi's prayers, Lord Shiva finally appeared before the sage and revealed the fact that salvation could be attained by the worldly beings with the help of the circumambulatory route or passage that runs inside the Kailasanathar temple. It is supposed to be a prevalent belief owing to which numerous devotees still flock to the temple in order to enter the mentioned passage that is situated right at the back of the lingam to attain salvation. It is said that one should enter the passage from the left side as it symbolizes birth and should make an exit from the right as it symbolizes death by crawling around the passage.

Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Architectural Significance

The temple has been built in Dravidian architectural style and the construction work was learnt to have commenced in 685 AD which was completed in the year 705 AD. The temple was established by Rajasimha, a popular Pallava king. The Kailasanathar is considered to be the sole temple in the entire city of Kanchipuram which has successfully preserved its originality in terms of its structure after being erected by the Pallavas. The other contemporary temples have known to either have been restructured or interfered with by the rulers of Vijayanagar or Cholas after being constructed by the Pallavas. Numerous practised or rather skilled workers along with sculptors made an active participation while building this magnificent temple. The architectural specialities of the temple include a broad compound made of sand stone and the finely carved places of worship devoted to the presiding deity that is Lord Shiva on the corridor area.