One of the most outstanding temples in Kanchipuram is the Kailasanatha temple dedicated to God Siva. Constructed during the reign of the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II (c.691-c.728 AD), also known as Rajasimha, this temple was originally named Rajasimhesvara after this ruler. The entire structure is built almost fully of sandstone. According to tradition, the construction of the Kailasanatha temple is closely connected with the life of Poosala Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars or Saiva saints.
The entrance to this east-facing temple is through a small gopuram, one of the earliest in Tamil Nadu. To the right of the entrance are two small shrines and to the left are six more. The name of one of Rajasimha’s queens called Rangapataka is incised here. In the front is a small shrine built by Mahendravarman, a son of Rajasimha, which according to a Sanskrit inscription in Grantha script, was called Mahendravarmesvaragriham (Siva shrine of Mahendravarman). This sanctum houses a Siva Linga and a Somaskanda (Siva and Uma with son Muruga or Skanda in the center) panel on the rear wall.
The central sanctum, around which is a narrow circumambulatory (pradakshina) passage, enshrines a large sixteen-sided Siva Linga while on the rear wall is a Somaskanda sculpture. A highlight of this temple is the row of fifty-eight miniature shrines in the outer prakaram. They bear exquisite sculptures, depicting various manifestations of Siva and other deities. The outer walls of the main sanctum are also studded with superb carvings of various deities. Traces of paintings are found in some of the sub-shrines going back to the Pallava times and possibly painted again in the Vijayanagara era.
There are numerous important inscriptions here belonging to the Pallava and later ages. Approximately three hundred titles (birudas) of King Rajasimha, revealing much about his personality, are etched here. He was a mighty warrior, a patron of the arts, a talented musician and an ardent devotee of Siva. Some of these inscriptions are in a beautiful calligraphic style, with the alphabets resembling birds and creepers.
An interesting Kannada inscription of Vikramaditya II (733-745 AD), the Western Chalukyan ruler from Karnataka who conquered Kanchipuram, is found on a pillar in the mahamandapa. He was fascinated by this temple’s beauty and donated to it. During the period of the Vijayanagara prince, Kumara Kampana in the 14th century AD, this temple again received benefactions. A short distance to the east is a beautiful and weatherworn Nandi on a square platform, facing the temple.
Protected monument
This temple is under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Chithra Madhavan
cityexpresschn@gmail.com
The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture