Kailasanathar temple

Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram which is dedicated to Lord Shive. This temple which was built during 685 and 705 AD by Rajasimha of Pallava Dynasty is in Dravidian architectural style. Some say it is the First structural temple built in south India which later on became the trend setter for other temples of Tamil Nadu. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. It is built of sandstone and has innumerable carvings of Pallva art.

All the walls around and inside the temple are filled with great sculptures. Magnificient sculptures and paintings can also be seen on the walls and Vimanam of this temple.

 

It is said that the first Rajaraja Chola visited this temple and was inspired to build Brihadeeswarar Temple or Big temple at Tanjavur.

 

Here one can see 58 small shrines each dedicated to one form of Shiva. They are built into niches on the inner face of the high compound wall. The front facade and the gopuram (tower) were built by Second Mahendravarman who was the son of Rajasimha. It is the only temple at Kanchipuram which is not cluttered with the more recent additions of the cholas and vijayanagar rulers. Probably this might be the only temple in Kanchipuram which has not been modified after its original creation.

 

 

 

The outstanding feature of sculptures in this temple is the depiction of the erect lions projecting out in several directions! The temple also has the earliest stone inscription records of the twenty eight Shaiva saints in which the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman states his faith in Shaivism. The murals on the inner walls are reasonably preserved.

 

 

Of all the temples in India, no other edifice has been so elaborately filled with all the 64 aspects of Lord Shiva. The temple is unique in its architecture and is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a holy place.

Currently this temple is maintained by Archeological Survey of India. Photography is allowed freely in this temple.

Ekambareswarar Temple

 

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ekambareswarar Temple in Kancheepuram is one of the oldest temples of Tamil Nadu. This is believed to be in existence since 600 AD. Over time Pallavas, Cholas and particularly Krishna Deva Raya have made several contributions to this magnificent temple.   

It is one of the five major Shiva temples each representing a natural element. The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (Sky), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).

 

The Raja Gopuram or the entrance tower to the temple which rises to a height of 172 feet was built by the Vijayanagar Monarch - Krishnadevaraya.This tower has eleven stories and is one of the tallest towers in South India. The pillared hall in front of the sanctum was also built by the Vijayanagar Kings.

 

This vast temple which covers an area of 40 acres is full of exquisite sculptures! Every pillar in this temple is a piece of art! Statues of various dance poses and other Gods can be seen in every pillar!

Strangely there is no separate shrine for Pavathi in this temple! But there is a small shrine for Vishnu who is prayed here as Vamana Murthy!

 

One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the "hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple's inner walls are decorated with an array of 1,008 Siva lingams.
 

 

 

 

The main Lingam is made of Sand so Abishekam is not done. It is covered with silver sheath. The priest told me that they use some special oil for this purpose.

 

Vaikunta Perumal Temple

Pallava King Nandivarman II built a temple in a distinctive style for lord Vishnu during 674 – 800 AD in Kancheepuram of Tamil Nadu, India. Thereafter, others followed the style.

This temple has three vertically aligned sanctum-sanctorum (garbhagrihas) situated one on top of the other. The ground floor sanctum contains a figure of Vishnu in a seated posture, the one on the first floor preserves the recumbent image of Lord Vishnu and on the topmost floor, is a standing form of this deity. There are circumambulatory passages (pradakshina patha) in all the three sanctums. Two flights of steps leading from the ground floor to the first storey are also available in the temple. One of them is for ascending and the other is for descending. These were constructed in such a way that they are not visible from the outside. Sadly, for whatever reason, these days public is allowed only on the ground floor!

 The sculptures of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu can be seen in this temple. Unfortunately most of them are now damaged and disintegrated but still they exhibit remarkable workmanship and showcase the matchless skill of the Pallava sculptor. The external cloisters with their lion pillars are predecessors of the grand thousand pillared halls of later temples.

The temple also contains a series of historical sculptures on the inner walls of the verandah running around the four sides of this temple. Unique to this temple are Several historical sculptures which cannot be found in any other temples of India. They depict the history of the entire Pallava dynasty up to the reign of Nandivarman Pallavamalla, the builder of this temple.

The sand stone structure’s architecture is a fine example of the Dravidian period and an improvement on that of the shore temple at Mahabalipuram which was built during the 7th century.

 

You want to visit this temple?
 

Well the nearest City is Chennai (Madras) about 80 KMs from Kancheepuram. You can drive down to Kancheepuram as the road is very good and it will take about 2 hrs. Alternatively, you can take an airconditioned bus from T Nagar, Chennai. Every half an hour there is a bus to Kancheepuram from T Nagar, Chennai.

Please remember all the temples are open from 6AM to 12.30 PM only and they are closed till 4 PM during which time you can do nothing in Kancheepuram!


 

Cover Page of "The Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram"
by D Dennis Hudson