Published by Aparna on 01 Oct 2007 at 04:23 pm
Kanchipuram Kailasanathar Temple
I recently went to quite a few temples in Kanchipuram. The temples I went to are Kamakshi Amman, Ekambareswarar, Kumarakottam, UlagaLandha perumAL (the idol of ulagaLandha perumAL is majestic!) and kailAsanAthar. Till I saw the kailAsanAthar temple, I had no clue about the fact that it was built by the Pallavas in a typical Pallava architectural style. The sculptures there, were all so beautiful. Once I saw the temple, I couldn’t resist taking photos. 
Since I didn’t take my camera with me, I took some photos with my mobile. Here are some:
The main gopuram:
Lord Vinayaka:
Narasimha Avataram:
The one below is one of my favourite sculptures. Observe the expression on the faces of the idols! Mkaes you go wow!
One of the many siva lingams present at the temple:
Go here for the entire set of photos taken at kailAsanAthar temple.
sangs on 01 Oct 2007 at 4:46 pm #
its beautiful ! and the quality of the pics is also very good,considering that its from a mobile !
Sathej on 01 Oct 2007 at 6:33 pm #
Nice quality, yes. And ya, the expression is great on the sculpture. Great architecture. Ekambresar always reminds me of Ekambresha Nayakim in Shanmukhapriya by Shri OS Thyagarajan.
Sathej
Sami on 01 Oct 2007 at 7:42 pm #
Wonderful ! wonderful ! Reminds me of brahadeeshwara temple at thanjavur (the last three photos), vinayaka is too good.
Which mobile is yours? good quality.
and where is the description? only a photo blog?
arvind on 01 Oct 2007 at 8:04 pm #
YEah the temples are good there…but the very fact that there are only temples in the place makes kanchi a boring place to live in..
i have been living there for 3 and a half years now and beleive me the place sucks..
just waiting for my degree to get over..and i would be free again.
by the way the pics are cool.. only thing missing is the gopuram of ekambareshwar temple.. ITS huge..my room is just beside it and even after 3 years everyday i see the gopuram,totally flabbergasted ..ITs just amazing..
Aparna on 01 Oct 2007 at 8:50 pm #
Sangs,
Sathej,
I haven’t heard that song
Hmmm
Sami,
Mine is Nokia 6233.
I was too lazy to write any description! But, I will very soon write the next post with photos and description on a temple near Chennai.
Arvind,
>there are only temples in the place makes kanchi a boring place to live in..
I differ on that. These are not just some temples. The sculptures and architecture leave you amazed and I for one, won’t mind spending a lot of time admiring the beauty of these temples
>even after 3 years everyday i see the gopuram,totally flabbergasted
Yeah. And there are so many beautiful sculptures on all the gopurams at Ekambareswarar temple. I was busy admiring the beauty of those. So, didn’t take any photos 
See how you yourself have not got bored of the temple
Siva on 01 Oct 2007 at 9:29 pm #
Great.. so well captured.. I visited Kancheepuram so long ago and I dont even remember if I visited this temple. Did they allow to capture photographs inside the temple?
btw, my comment on the mobile camera was meant for this post..;)
Aparna on 01 Oct 2007 at 10:02 pm #
Siva,
Thanks. Yes you can take photos of everything except the main Siva Lingam.
>my comment on the mobile camera was meant for this post
arvind on 01 Oct 2007 at 11:07 pm #
yeah u are right that u can admire the beauty of the scriptures and ancient work..but you cant just visit them everyday…
there’s something more in life than temples and religion ….
think about living in a place surrounded by temples (just temples) i dont know about you but i was not used to live in a place like that.. its still a town ….
yeah i love the gopurams and all but i was talking about the place (kanchipuram as a whole)
Ranjhith on 01 Oct 2007 at 11:24 pm #
Saami ok, Aasaami …?
You mobi camera is very good. Nice pictures. Been to Kanchipuram, but never know of its heritage. Probably, our tourism/municipal dept shud employ guides/historians to tell people about the importance (historical/religious) of the place, noteworthy features, souvenirs to buy, etc.
And can you tell us, one typical architectural style of Pallavas? Just for GK.
Aparna on 02 Oct 2007 at 9:28 am #
Arvind,
I understand. Neither am I used to living in a place surrounded only by temples. You will be away from the place in a few months from now. Think of that and enjoy the few months that you are going to be there 
Relax
Ranjhith,
There are some guides at Kailasanathar temple. When I had gone there, some foreigners and North Indians had come to the temple. In spite of us asking the guide to tell us about this place, he said he had to show around the place to those people! It’s all about money ultimately 
Thanks
>one typical architectural style of Pallavas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallavas#Pallava_architecture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dravidian_architecture#Pallavas
anonymous on 20 Jan 2008 at 10:08 am #
The pictures are very nice. Thanks for posting them.
I am originally from a place not too far away from Kanchi. As a person who has been to Kanchi so many times, I can tell you there are more temples for you to see and enjoy.
Next time when you visit Kanchi, visit the “Vaikuntha vasa perumAL” (also called Vaikuntha perumal in local circles) temple. That was built by one of the successors of the Rajasimha Pallava (aka Narasimhavarma II) who built the Kailasanathar temple. In this temple one can see Lord Vishnu standing, sitting and reclining (especially on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day). The temple is very good for sculptures and artistry, and this looks somewhat similar to Kailasanathar temple.
Also go to “Pandava Dutha PerumAL”. This is somewhat like “Ulagalandha PerumAL” temple, in the sense, the mulavar idol is so tall, and you need a lamp to see the lord. The main deity here is Lord Krishna in such a majestic form. All that you can see is one of his feet just above your head - the statue is so huge and tall. I still remember my mom’s first reaction when I took her to this temple (don’t remember exactly, but it was probably some time between 1989 - 1990..Thinking of it, I can’t help wonder how time flies !!!). She was startled and awed by the majesty of the lord. Her favourite deity being Lord Krishna, she liked the temple very much. Please visit that temple when you get a chance.
Thanks again for sharing the pictures, and my best wishes to you in every walk of life.
Aparna on 23 Jan 2008 at 1:35 pm #
Anonymous,
Welcome to my blog!
Thanks for the info. I will try to visit those temples when I go there the next time.
Thanks!
Aparna’s Blog » Some lesser known temples of Madras – a power point presentation and talk by Chitra Madhavan on 19 Aug 2008 at 8:26 pm #
[…] that this temple was built by the Pallavas. King Rajasimha, the same Pallava king who built the Kailasanathar temple at Kanchipuram & Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, is the one who has built it. Among the many titles of King […]
Krishna Kumar.S on 23 Aug 2008 at 6:39 pm #
Nice set of photos. I visited Kanchipuram in August-2007. I saw 5 temples. Bharadhwaja Temple, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kailasanathar, Ekambareshwar Temple.
I made this trip amidst many difficulties in life. Nostalgia. I had a look at the past when I read your report.
Aparna on 24 Aug 2008 at 1:06 pm #
Krishna Kumar,
Thank you
Aparna’s Blog » Kanchipuram - Art, History & Architecture (Part 2) on 03 Apr 2009 at 11:59 pm #
[…] Luckily, I have some photos of kailAsanAtar temple which, as you might know, I had taken when I had been there quite sometime back. kailAsanAtar […]
Tamilnadu temple tour (Day1 & 2) « anityam on 02 Oct 2009 at 2:47 pm #
[…] My first stop was the Kailasanathar temple, an ancient temple was built by Rajasimha Pallava in the late 7th century AD. It is a beautiful specimen of Pallava architecture without any additions by Chola or Vijayanagar kings. That the architecture of the temple is splendid is an understatement. It is a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India. This is not a major pilgrimage centre but more famous for its architecture. It was constructed mostly of limestone. The walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. More details here. […]