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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox religious building
| religious_affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
| name = Kailasanathar Temple<br>Kailasanatha Temple
| image = 7th century Sri Kailashnathar Temple Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu India 01 (11).jpg
| alt = Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
| coordinates = {{coord|12|50|32.3|N|79|41|22.8|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = India#India Tamil Nadu
| map_relief = yes
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| country = [[India]]
| district = [[Kanchipuram District]]
| locale = Kanchipuram
| deity = Shiva
| creator = [[Narasimhavarman II]] (Pallava dynasty)
| year_completed = c. 700 CE (with later additions)
}}

The '''Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram''', also referred to as the '''Kailasanatha temple''', is a [[Pallava Dynasty|Pallava]]-era historic Hindu temple in [[Kanchipuram]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. Dedicated to [[Shiva]], it is one of the oldest surviving monuments in Kanchipuram.<ref>Emma Stein (2017), ''All Streets Lead to Temples: Mapping Monumental Histories in Kanchipuram'', Yale University Press, pp. 23–25, 41–44</ref> It reflects a [[Dravidian architecture]] and was built around 700 CE by [[Narasimhavarman II]] with additions by Mahendravarman III.<ref name=srinivasan>K.R. Srinivasan (1972), ''Temples of South India'' (Editor: B.V. Keskar), National Book Trust, p. 115–116</ref> A square-plan temple, it has a ''mukha-mandapa'' (entrance hall), a ''maha-mandapa'' (gathering hall) and a primary ''garbha-griya'' (sanctum) topped with a four-storey ''vimana''. The main sanctum is surrounded by nine shrines, seven outside and two inside flanking the entrance of the sanctum, all with forms of Shiva. The outer walls of the temple's ''prakara'' (courtyard) is also surrounded by cells.<ref name=srinivasan/>

The Kailasanathar temple is notable for its intricately carved galaxy of Hindu art in the late 7th- and early 8th-century Tamil tradition. These largely relate to [[Shaivism]], yet also include significant number of themes from [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]] and [[Vedas|Vedic]] deities.<ref>Emma Stein (2017), ''All Streets Lead to Temples: Mapping Monumental Histories in Kanchipuram'', Yale University Press, pp. 47–51</ref> The temple is also notable for one of the early and best specimens of [[Chitra (art)|Hindu mural art]] in Tamil Nadu. This is found in the inner walls of the courtyard cells. The murals are in a style that is also found in the Ajanta Caves, as well as in the historic paintings in the 8th-century Vaikunthaperumal temple, also in Kanchipuram.<ref>S Paramasivan (1938), "Technique of the Painting Process in the Kailasanatha and Vaikunthaperumal Temples at Kanchipuram", ''Nature'', No. 3599 (October 22), Nature Publishing Group, p. 757</ref> The temple walls have many inscriptions in early scripts, important to the epigraphical study of regional history and Tamil temple traditions.<ref name="Kaimal2021">{{cite book | last=Kaimal | first=Padma | title=Opening Kailasanatha: The Temple in Kanchipuram Revealed in Time and Space | publisher=University of Washington Press | year=2021 | isbn=978-0-295-74778-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4LMhEAAAQBAJ | pages=3–4}}</ref>

The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. These are built into niches on the inner face of the high compound wall of the [[Circumambulation|circumambulatory passage]].<ref name=Kailasa>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanchi.tn.nic.in/kailasanathar.htm|title=Kailasanathar Temple|access-date=27 July 2013|publisher=National Informatics Centre of Government of India|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730053532/http://www.kanchi.tn.nic.in/kailasanathar.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|first=S.C.|last=Karkar|location=Kolkota|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|year=2009|page=45}}</ref> The temple is one of the most prominent tourist attractions of the city.{{sfn|Gopal |1990| p= 175}}

==Geography==
The temple is located towards the west of Kanchipuram city, and is about {{Convert|75|km|mi|0}} from [[Chennai]].{{sfn|Selby|Peterson|2008|p=109}} Its location, demarcated according to the religious faiths, is in one of two "Kanchis", the Shiva Kanchi; and the Vishnu Kanchi. The Kailasanathar Temple is one of several notable temples in Kanchipuram, the others being [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekambaranatha]], [[Karchapeswarar Temple|Kachapeshwarar]], [[Kamakshi Amman Temple|Kamakshi Amman]], [[Kumarakottam Temple]], and [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadaraja Perumal]].{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

==History==
{{Unreliable sources|date=September 2021|section}}
The Kailasanathar Temple (meaning: "Lord of Kailasa"), is built in the tradition of [[Smartha]] worship of [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]], [[Devi]], [[Surya]] (Sun), [[Ganesha]] and [[Kartikeya]], in [[Hinduism]].{{cn|date=September 2021}}

Temple construction is credited to the [[Pallava dynasty]], who had established their kingdom with Kanchipuram (also known as "Kanchi" or "Shiva Vishnu Kanchi") as the capital city, considered one of the seven sacred cities under [[Hinduism]]. In Kanchi, after the Pallavas expanded their territories to the north, west and south both within Tamil, Andhra and Kannada territories under Emperor [[Narasimhavarman I]], they started expanding their capital city of Kanchipuram and built many temples of great magnificence. Among the two unique specimens of temple architecture of the period 640–730 CE are the [[Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram]], which is also known as the Vaikunta Perumal temple and the Kailasanathar Temple.{{sfn|Ring|Salkin|La Boda|1996|p=435}}

[[File:Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple Full Temple Outside.jpg|thumb|Outer view of the temple]]
The temple was built around 700 CE with additions in the 8th century and restorations in later centuries. It is the first structural temple built in [[South India]] by [[Narasimhavarman II]] (Rajasimha), also known as Rajasimha Pallaveswaram.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabalipuram|publisher=The Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India|year=2004|isbn=|location=New Delhi|last=C.|first=Sivaramamurthi|page=6|ref=Malla}}</ref> His son, Mahendravarman III, completed the front façade and the [[gopuram]] (tower). Prior temples were either built of wood or hewn into rock faces in caves or on boulders, as seen in [[Mahabalipuram]].<ref name=Kailasa/> The Kailasanathar temple became the trend setter for other similar temples in [[South India]].{{CN|date=September 2023}} According to local belief, the temple was a safe sanctuary for the rulers of the kingdom during wars. A secret tunnel, built by the kings, was used as an escape route and is still visible.<ref name=Kailasa/> It is believed that [[Raja Raja Chola I]] (985–1014 CE) visited the temple and drew inspiration from this temple to build the [[Brihadeeswara Temple]].<ref name=Diwakar>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|first=Macherla| last=Diwakar| location=Chennai| year=2011| edition=1st| page=142| isbn=978-93-83440-34-4| publisher=Techno Book House}}</ref>

Currently, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is maintained by [[Archaeological Survey of India]].<ref name=National/>

==Architecture==
{{Unreliable sources|date=September 2021|section}}
[[File:A floor plan of the Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu.jpg|thumb|centre|500px|The floor plan of the Kailasanathar temple]]
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| align = left
| width = 200
| image1 = Sculptures inside the Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram 13.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Inner court, or the circumambulatory passage, with 58 subshrines.
| image2 = 01Kailasanathar Temple Rich Architecture in Sculptures Design.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Typical pillar design with multi-directional mythical lions.
| image3 = Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram, Namil Nadu 09.jpg
| alt3 =
| caption3 = View of the temple
}}
The temple has retained the Pallava architecture in its original stylized form with influence of the later styles developed by the [[Chola Dynasty]] and [[Vijayanagara Emperor]]s.<ref name=Kailasa/> It is of stone built architecture unlike the rock cut architecture built into hallowed caves or carved into rock outcrops as in [[Mahabalipuram]]. The tall gopuram (tower) is to the left and the temple complex is to the right.{{CN|date=September 2023}} The temple's foundations are made of [[granite]], which could withstand the weight of the temple, while the superstructure, including the carvings, are all made of [[sandstone]]. Initially, only the main sanctuary existed with pyramidal ''[[vimana]]'' and a detached [[mandapa]] (main hall).{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|title=The Iconography of the Kailāsanātha Temple - Seeing beyond the replastered Images and Yoginīs|journal=Indologica Taurinensia |date=January 2015 |url=https://www.academia.edu/34973376|language=en}}</ref>

The temple complex is complete in all respects as it has ''garbagriha'' ([[sanctum sanctorum]]), [[antarala]] (inner enclosure), mandapa, a high compound wall, and an entrance gate, the gopuram.<ref name=National>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_cholabt_features.asp|title=General features of a Chola temple|access-date=27 July 2013|publisher=National Informatics Centre of Government of India}}</ref> The mandapa, which was initially detached, was made part of the main shrine by interposing an ''ardhamantapa'' (smaller hall). The pillars of the mandapa have the repetitive features of mythical lion mounts.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

The structure has a simple layout with a tower or [[vimana]] at the center of the complex. The vimana of the temple, above the main shrine (sanctum sanctorum), is square in plan and rises up in a pyramidal shape. The tower has many levels rising proportionately.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}At the top of this tower, there is a small roof in the shape of a dome. The pillar elements with mythical animal shapes (lions on the base) are extra features in Pallava style.<ref name=National/>{{sfn|Ring|Salkin|La Boda|1996|p=435}} At the entrance, the ''gopuram'' walls are plastered. Its entrance wall has eight small shrines and a gopura, precursor to the main gopura. At some later stage, the mandapa and the sanctuary were joined by an intermediate hall called the ''ardhamantapa'', which is reported to have marred the beauty of the temple to some extent. The temple is enclosed within walls in a rectangular layout.

{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| align = right
| width = 150
| image1 = Kailayanathar4.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = A sculpture in one of the niches of the 58 subshrines.
| image2 = Kailayanathar6.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Sculpture depicting Shiva as Gangadhara capturing the river Ganges with a strand of his hair.
| image3 = Kailayanathar11.jpg
| alt3 =
| caption3 = Sculpture depicting Goddess Durga.
}}

The main shrine has a 16 sided [[Shivalinga]] in black [[granite]] stone deified in the sanctum sanctorum. Within the walls of the main shrine there is ''padabhanda adhisthana'' (main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]], a little distance away giving guard to the deity. On each face of the outer walls of the main shrine there are many carvings of deities.

In the south facing wall the sculpture depicts Shiva as ''Umamaheshavara'' (Shiva with his consort [[Parvati]]) with [[Lingodbhava]] (emergence of Shiva as fiery pillar - [[Lingam|linga]]) surrounded by [[Brahma]] and [[Vishnu]] and flying amaras on the lower level.

The west facing hall has sculptures of Shiva in the form of ''Sandhya Tandavamurti'' and ''Urdhava Tandvamurti'' and the ensemble is completed with images of ''[[gana]]s'' in dancing poses and also with images of Brahma, Vishnu, Nandi and Parvati.

The carving of Shiva on the north facing wall is a composition of ''[[Tripurantaka]]'' flanked by three ''ganas'', goddess [[Durga]] with three ''ganas'', and goddesses Bhairavi, [[Kaushiki]] and [[Jyestha (goddess)|Jyestha]].

The exterior faces of the ''vimana'' (tower) have images of aspects of Shiva - [[Bhikshatana]], [[Somaskanda]] and in ''Samhara-Tandava'' (destructive dancing) pose.

[[File:Kanchi Kailasanathar Full Temple landscape.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Central shrine]]
In the inner walls of the [[prakara]] (circumambulatory passage) there is galaxy of images of Durga, Kartikeya, Bhavati, Tripurantaka, Garudarudha-[[Vishnu]], Asura Samhara (slaying of demons), [[Narasimha]] (Vishnu's avatar), [[Trivikrama]] (another Vishnu's avatar), Shiva [[Tandava]] (Shiva in a dancing pose), Shiva severing the fifth head of Brahma, desecration of [[Daksha yajna|Yagna of Daksha]], Brahma and his wife, [[Gangadhara]], ''Urdhava tandava,'' Vishnu flanked by [[Bhudevi]] and [[Sridevi]], Lingodbhava, Bhikshatana, [[Ravana]], and [[Vali (Ramayana)|Vali]] offering prayers to ''Atmalinga Chandikeshvara.'' The image of [[Ardhanariswara]] sitting on a bull is considered the most noteworthy among all images.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=46}}</ref>

Vimana's south facing wall has very elegant image of Shiva in a sitting posture of peace and quietude known as [[Dakshinamurthy]], and its west wall has Shiva in the form of Lingodbhava.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

The tower has multiple shrines embodied on all its external faces which have the appearance of miniature shrines. These shrines have three features, the sala (rectangular), kuta (square) and panjara (apsidal) styles. Eight small shrines also decorate the entrance wall. The 58 small shrines are built into the niches of the compound wall that encloses the main shrine;{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} they depict Somaskanada reliefs of Shiva and his consort [[Parvathi]] in many dance forms.<ref name=Kailasa/>

The temple maybe built using a [[geopolymer]] that looks like sandstone.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conservation of a Sandstone Monument at Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India|url=http://www.hms.civil.uminho.pt/sahc/2006/0731.pdf|last=Vedamuthu|first=Ranee|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615113809/http://www.hms.civil.uminho.pt/sahc/2006/0731.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Other features===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| caption_align = center
| header_align = center

| image1 = Alapini vina Kanchi Kailasanathar.jpg
| width1 = 150
| alt1 = Sculpture of a kinnara playing an alapini vina
| caption1 = A small figure playing the [[alapini vina]] in a niche

| image2 = Kinnara playing a yazh, Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, India, ca 8th century CE.jpg
| width2 = 110
| alt2 = Sculpture of a kinnara playing a yazh (harp)
| caption2 = [[Kinnara]] playing a [[yazh]], c. 8th century CE
}}
The outstanding feature of sculptures is the profusion of depiction of the erect lions projecting out in several directions.{{CN|date=September 2023}}There are two sculptures of Shiva here which are seen holding the [[alapini veena]] (musical string instrument) in the hand. There is a lot of difference between the veenas found in the said sculptures and the [[Veena|present day veena]].{{sfn|Leela|1976}} There are also beautiful sculptures of ''Mathahvialasa Prakshanam.'' The temple also has the earliest stone inscription which records of the twenty eight ''Saivagamas'' (Shaiva saints) in which the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman states his faith in [[Shaivism]].{{sfn|Raj|1989}} The murals on the inner walls{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} are well preserved.{{CN|date=September 2023}}

==Circumambulatory passage==
A circumambulatory passage, with a symbolic meaning is situated along the compound wall. In order to make the circumambulation, there is a narrow entry passage which devotees must crawl through. Seven steps must be climbed in order to reach the passage. Passing through the narrow passage is indicative of passage through life. After circumambulation, the exit is through a pit or another narrow passage symbolic of death.{{CN|date=September 2023}} The entry point for this passage is called the Gate of Death (Tamil: இறப்பு வாசல்). It is believed that making the circumambulation round the various deities would usher the same blessings as visiting paradise. When one completes circumambulation, crawling and coming out of the passage indicates coming out of their mother's womb and also explains Hindus' belief of rebirth. Hence, the exit is called the Gate of Birth (Tamil: பிறப்பு வாசல்). There is another belief that by completing this circumambulatory passage, the cycle of rebirth is broken and one attains Moksha. The passage explains the life cycle including aging process, death and rebirth. [[Maha Shivaratri]] is the biggest festival held in the temple when thousand of devotees throng the temple in the evening hours to offer prayers to the main deity.<ref name=Kailasa/>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin|2}}
*{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/217 217]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}
*{{cite book|last=Leela|first=S. V. |title=Veena, self-taught: an introduction to Carnatic music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uGxXAAAAMAAJ|year=1976|publisher=S.l. : s.n.}}
*{{cite book|last=Raj|first=Joseph Jaswant |title=Grace in the Saiva Siddhāntham and in St. Paul: A Contribution in Inter-faith Cross-cultural Understanding|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b0cgAAAAIAAJ|year=1989|publisher=South Indian Salesain Society|isbn=978-81-900092-0-1}}
*{{cite book|last1=Ring|first1=Trudy|last2=Salkin |first2=Robert M. |first3=Sharon |last3=La Boda|title=International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWLRxJEU49EC&pg=PA435|date=January 1996|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers|isbn=978-1-884964-04-6}}
*{{cite book|last1=Selby|first1=Martha Ann|last2=Peterson |first2=Indira Viswanathan |title=Tamil Geographies: Cultural Constructions of Space and Place in South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B0_lLAechPcC&pg=PA109|year=2008|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-7945-2}}
*{{cite book| author1=Vinayak Bharne|author2=Krupali Krusche|title=Rediscovering the Hindu Temple: The Sacred Architecture and Urbanism of India|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CGukBgAAQBAJ | year=2014|publisher= Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn= 978-1-4438-6734-4|ref=Bharne }}
*{{cite book| author=T. Richard Blurton|title=Hindu Art|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xJ-lzU_nj_MC | year=1993|publisher= Harvard University Press|isbn= 978-0-674-39189-5 |ref=R.}}
*{{cite book| author=Adam Hardy|title=The Temple Architecture of India|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ofUVAQAAIAAJ | year=2007|publisher= Wiley|isbn= 978-0-470-02827-8|ref=Hardy }}
*{{cite book| author1=Michael W. Meister|author2=Madhusudan Dhaky|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture, Volume 1 Part 1 South India Text & Plates|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=J0fKAQAACAAJ | year=1983|publisher= American Institute of Indian Studies|isbn=9780812278408 |ref=Meister }}
*{{cite book| author1=M. A. Dhaky|author2=Michael W. Meister| title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture: Volume 1 Part 2 South India Text & Plates|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oClTtAEACAAJ | year=1983 |publisher= University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn= 978-0-8122-7992-4 }}
*{{cite book| author1=Madhusudan A. Dhaky|author2=Michael Meister|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture, Volume 1 Part 3 South India Text & Plates|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=a1VJAQAAIAAJ | year=1996|publisher= American Institute of Indian Studies|isbn= 978-81-86526-00-2 }}
*{{cite book| author=James C. Harle|title=The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LwcBVvdqyBkC | year=1994|publisher= Yale University Press|isbn= 978-0-300-06217-5 }}
*{{cite book| author1=Susan L. Huntington|author2=John C. Huntington|title=The Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9g_uDwAAQBAJ| year=2014|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass|isbn= 978-81-208-3617-4}}
*{{cite book| author=Stella Kramrisch|title=The Hindu Temple, Volume 1 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Op6dSwAACAAJ | year=1996|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass}}
*{{cite book| author=Stella Kramrisch|title=The Hindu Temple, Volume 2|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8-aS52MgIkMC | year=1976|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass |isbn= 978-81-208-0224-7 }}
*{{cite book| author=George Michell|title=The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sVdJAQAAIAAJ | year=1977|publisher= Harper & Row|isbn= 978-0-06-435750-0}}
*{{cite book| author=George Michell|title=The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=eqtNAAAAYAAJ | year=1989|publisher= Penguin Books|isbn= 978-0-14-008144-2 }}
*{{cite book| author=George Michell|title=Hindu Art and Architecture|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YVl2QgAACAAJ | year=2000|publisher= Thames & Hudson|isbn= 978-0-500-20337-8}}
*{{cite book| author=Benjamin Rowland|title=The Art and Architecture of India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6L2fAAAAMAAJ | year=1970|publisher= Penguin Books}}
*{{cite book| author=Heinrich Robert Zimmer|title=The Art of Indian Asia: Text|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gknqAAAAMAAJ | year=1955|publisher= Pantheon Books}}
{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Shiva temples}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Kanchipuram district]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Kanchipuram]]
[[Category:Historic sites in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:8th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Sandstone buildings in India]]
[[Category:Pallava architecture]]

Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram - Revision history

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