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Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Shiva (Kailasanathar) · Oldest Pallava Temple · Kanchipuram
॥ ओं नमः शिवाय ॥
The Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest temple in Kanchipuram and an early high point of Dravidian architecture. Built of sandstone by the Pallava king Rajasimha — Narasimhavarman II — in the early eighth century, it set patterns the South would follow for centuries. A pyramidal vimana rises over the sanctum, ringed by a courtyard of small shrines that once each held a form of Shiva, with traces of old fresco still clinging to the stone.
The oldest temple in Kanchipuram
Among the many temples of Kanchipuram, the Kailasanathar is reckoned the earliest, raised in the early 8th century when the Pallavas were the dominant power of the Tamil country. Its dedication to Shiva as Kailasanathar, lord of Kailasa, places it at the head of the city’s long Shaiva tradition.
Built largely of sandstone rather than the harder granite of later temples, it carries an antiquity visible in its weathered, finely worked surfaces.
Rajasimha and Pallava architecture
The temple is the work of Rajasimha, also known as Narasimhavarman II, a Pallava king and great patron of building. It belongs to the same age and style as the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, sharing the early Dravidian vocabulary the Pallavas helped create.
The pyramidal vimana, the row of subsidiary shrines around the court, and the rearing lion pilasters are hallmarks of this formative phase of South Indian temple design.
Shrine cells and early fresco
Around the courtyard runs a ring of small cells, each once enshrining a form or aspect of Shiva, so that a circuit of the temple becomes a tour of the god’s many manifestations. Within some, traces of early painting survive, among the oldest fresco fragments in the region.
Now cared for as a heritage monument, the temple is still revered, drawing both worshippers and those who come to study its place in the evolution of the South Indian temple.
How to reach Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
- By road: The temple is on the western edge of Kanchipuram, reached by auto-rickshaw or taxi; Kanchipuram is well linked by road to Chennai, about 70 km away.
- By train: Kanchipuram has its own railway station, with Chengalpattu Junction nearby for wider connections.
- By air: Chennai International Airport is the nearest, roughly 75 km from Kanchipuram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Kailasanathar Temple significant?
It is the oldest temple in Kanchipuram and an early masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, built of sandstone by the Pallava king Rajasimha in the early 8th century.
Who built the temple?
It was built by the Pallava king Rajasimha, also known as Narasimhavarman II, a major patron of temple architecture, in the early eighth century.
What is special about its design?
It has a pyramidal vimana over the sanctum and a courtyard ringed with small shrine cells, each once holding a form of Shiva, with traces of early fresco surviving on the stone.
What are the courtyard cells for?
The small cells around the court each enshrined a form or aspect of Shiva, so that walking the circuit takes the devotee past the god’s many manifestations.
Is it still an active temple?
Yes. Though cared for as a heritage monument for its age and art, it remains revered and open to worshippers and visitors.
Where is the temple located?
It stands on the western side of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, about 70 km from Chennai.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Shiva as Kailasanathar |
| Built by | Pallava king Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II) |
| Period | Early 8th century |
| Material | Sandstone |
| Style | Early Dravidian / Pallava |
| State | Tamil Nadu |