Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Kailasanathar Temple

At a distance of 3 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, the Kailasanathar Temple, also referred to as the Kailasanatha Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in the sacred town of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of the Vegavathi River, it is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Kanchi tour. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kailasanatha Temple is distinguished by its grandeur and exquisite architectural design. As the oldest surviving temple in Kanchipuram, it set a precedent for similar temples throughout southern India. This historic temple, dating back to the Pallava dynasty, was considered one of the largest Hindu temples in India at the time of its establishment.

History of Kailasanathar Temple

The Kailasanathar Temple was constructed between 685 AD and 705 AD by the Pallava king Narasimha II Rajasimha, which is why the principal shrine is referred to as Rajasimheswara. Rajasimha was a devoted adherent of Saiva Siddhanta and is recognized as one of the 63 esteemed devotees of Lord Siva. In addition to this temple, he also established other Siva temples in Kanchipuram, including Mukteswara and Matangeswara. The architectural style and sculptures of this temple bear a resemblance to those found in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), which were also built by the Pallavas. Notably, this temple in Kanchipuram appears to be the only one that has remained unaltered since its original construction. Additionally, another temple dedicated to Lord Siva was commissioned within the same complex by Mahendravarmana, the son of Rajasimha, and is known as Mahendravarmesvara.

Architecture of Kailasanathar Temple

The Kailasanathar Temple stands as a remarkable example of classical Dravidian architecture, constructed in accordance with the Smartha tradition of worshiping deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya (the Sun), Ganesha, and Kartikeya within Hinduism. This square-shaped temple, primarily composed of sandstone, is colloquially referred to as the Sand Temple, while its foundations are crafted from granite. The structure features a circumambulatory passage, a mukha-mandapa, a maha-mandapa, and a sanctum crowned with a four-tiered vimana.

Encircling the main sanctum are nine shrines, with seven located externally and two positioned internally beside the sanctum's entrance, all dedicated to various forms of Shiva. The sanctum itself contains a 16-sided Shivalinga made of black granite. Within the main shrine's walls lies a padabhanda adhisthana (main pedestal) adorned with exquisitely carved depictions of deities, accompanied by a sculpted Nandi positioned nearby to guard the sanctum. The outer walls of the main shrine are embellished with numerous carvings of deities, including Umamaheshavara with the Lingodbhava sculpture on the southern wall, Sandhya Tandavamurti and Urdhava Tandavamurti on the western wall, and a notable composition of Tripurantaka, flanked by three ganas, along with goddess Durga and goddesses Bhairavi, Kaushiki, and Jyestha on the northern wall.

The temple is distinguished by its elaborately carved representations of Hindu art from the late 7th and early 8th centuries, primarily reflecting the Tamil tradition associated with Shaivism. Additionally, it is recognized for housing some of the earliest and finest examples of Hindu mural art in Tamil Nadu, located on the inner walls of the courtyard cells. The style of these murals is reminiscent of that found in the Ajanta Caves and the historical paintings of the 8th-century Vaikuntaperumal Temple in Kanchipuram. The murals feature depictions of various deities, including Durga, Kartikeya, Bhavati, Tripurantaka, Garudarudha-Vishnu, Asura Samhara, Narasimha, Trivikrama, Shiva Tandava, Shiva beheading the fifth head of Brahma, the desecration of Daksha's Yagna, Brahma with his consort, Gangadhara, Urdhava Tandava, Vishnu accompanied by Bhudevi and Sridevi, Lingodbhava, Bhikshatana, as well as Ravana and Vali in prayer to Atmalinga Chandikeshvara. Among these, the depiction of Ardhanariswara seated on a bull is regarded as the most significant.

The temple's walls are adorned with numerous inscriptions in early scripts. Within the compound wall that encircles the main shrine, there are 58 small shrines integrated into the niches, showcasing Somaskanada reliefs of Shiva and his consort Parvathi in various dance poses. The Mahendravarmeswara Temple is situated on the eastern side of the Kailasanatha Temple complex.

Festivals of Kailasanathar Temple

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple hosts several festivals throughout the year, which are celebrated with great pomp and splendor. Among these, Maha Shivaratri is most significant festival of Kailasanatha Temple, celebrated annually in February/March, with thousands of devotees seeking Lord Shiva's blessings. Panguni Uthiram in March/April, Navaratri in September/October, Thai Poosam in January/February, and Shravanam are other notable festivals celebrated at this sacred temple.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Kailasanathar Temple

When planning a visit to the Sri Kailasanathar Temple, it is recommended to adhere to modest dress standards. Men are encouraged to wear a dhoti or pajama paired with an upper garment, as well as formal trousers and shirts. Women may opt for a saree, half saree, or churidhar. It is advisable to refrain from wearing contemporary attire such as mini-skirts, low-waist jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops while on the temple grounds.

Non-Hindus are welcome to explore the temple complex and appreciate its architectural beauty; however, access to the sanctum sanctorum may be restricted.

Kailasanathar Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM

Kailasanathar Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Kailasanathar Temple

The period from October to March is the most favorable time to explore Kailasanathar Temple, as the climate is enjoyable and ideal for sightseeing. This timeframe also coincides with the temple's annual festivals, such as Kartikai Deepam, and Maha Shivatratri. Maha Shivaratri is most significant festival of Kailasanathar Temple, celebrated annually in February/March, with thousands of devotees seeking Lord Shiva's blessings. To avoid crowds, it is advisable to arrive early in the morning or later in the evening. During the rest of the year, it is mostly humid and hot apart from the monsoons when the town experiences heavy rainfall.

How to Reach Kailasanathar Temple

Located approximately 61 Km from Kanchi, Chennai Airport serves as the nearest airport, offering regular flight services to nearly all major cities across India and internationally. Kanchipuram enjoys robust train connectivity to Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Tirupati, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli. Additionally, there are numerous bus services available to Kanchipuram from cities such as Chennai, Vellore, Tirupati, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy. About 3 km from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, the Kailasanathar Temple can be conveniently accessed by bus or auto-rickshaw from any area within the town.