Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple: Find Out What Makes This Temple So Special

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple was the first temple that we set foot in when we entered Kanchipuram. In fact among all the Kanchipuram temples, we had selected this particular one because it is also the oldest structure in Kanchipuram.

It was built in the Pallava Dynasty which means that it dates back to the somewhere between 686 – 705 A.D.

Our first glance at the Kailasanthar temple took our breath away. In fact, Shawn remarked that walking into the temple was almost like walking through a mini Angkor Wat.

Well… Maybe one of the many temples in Angkor Wat. You get what I mean right? Before entering the Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, we walked along the lawn in front of the temple.

A statue of a cow stood on one side and a few trees boarded the perimeter offering respite from the sun. It also provided the perfect setting to click photographs of the temple in the distance

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Where To Stay In Kanchipuram

If you want to stay in Kanchipuram but are not sure where to crash at, these are some of the options that are highly rated in the city. I’ve tried to include luxury, midrange and budget options but bear in mind that Kanchipuram is a small town so the options are limited.

Vasanth Villa (Budget)

⭐️ Rating: 8.2/10 (248 Reviews) Price: $18 per night 📍Location: TK Nambi Street 123, Near Women’s College Bus Stop Details: Read more on booking.com now!

This is one of the most highly rated accommodations in the city and it is a budget option which is ultra cool. At just $18 you can catch a clean room that comes equipped with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.

The Paradise Hotel (Mid Range)

⭐️ Rating: 8.8/10 (11 Reviews) Price: $34 per night 📍Location: No.111,Gandhi road,, Kanchipuram Details: Read more on booking.com now!

This is probably one of the most luxurious stays in Kanchipuram. The rooms are relatively spacious. The rooms are pretty cool and have all the amenities that you could desire. Think a nice flat screened TV and air-conditioned spacious rooms.

How To Reach Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

We drove to Kanchi Kailasanathar temple as part of our road trip to Pondicherry. Getting to the temple isn’t too difficult though. There are buses that ply between the major cities and Kanchipuram. The closest city being Chennai which is around 75 kilometers away.

Most people choose to take their own transport and visit. Alternatively you can hire a cab/driver to cover the distance.

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

The view from the outside of the Kailasanathar Temple

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is located in a small city called Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is a small but well known city in Tamil Nadu a state in India.

The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.   The temple is popular not just because of its age but also because of the intricate carvings.

We got in through the arch way and walked around the temple while simultaneously admiring the skill of the artisans. A path way circles the main temple.

The walls are as ornately designed as the temple itself. Bear in mind that you need to keep your shoes outside the entrance. It is considered a sign of respect. That’s why it is best to visit before the sun heats up the stones too much.

The Pandit who told us all about the temple.

With our walk almost completed we were about to leave when we happened to meet the religious leader (also known as the ‘Pandit’) of the temple. He told us that his family had been caring for the Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple for generations.

The Pandit gave us a deeper insight into the temple as he explained that no one knew exactly what stone was used to construct the temple.

That meant that the conservation of the Kanchi Kailasanathar temple was difficult. During the British era, the British attempted to conserve the temple by plastering the walls. In the process they covered up beautiful paintings.

The temple is working on a way to restore them but the process is difficult. We walked around the temple once more to see what he had described. It’s amazing how information changes your perspective of how you view things.

Inside Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

Intricate carvings on the temple walls.

The Pandit invited us inside where he explained that every morning people would gather both inside and outside the temple to meditate.

Photography is not allowed in the inner sanctum of the Kanchi Kailasanathar temple. The inner sanctum holds a ‘Shivlinga’ or ‘Shivling’. A lot of people do not know what the Shivling is.

The Shivling consists of a cylindrical structure that symbolizes Shiva and it rests on the middle of a disc like structure that symbolizes the Shakti.

There is a tendency to deduce that the structure of the Shivling represents the male and female genitalia but it is one of the many reflections around the topic. If you would like to read more about it you can consult Wikipedia and their detailed explanation about the Shivling.

A colorful glimpse behind the plaster.

The Pandit went on to show us that there was a small tunnel that went round the Shivling. Now the Hindus believe in the concept of rebirth. According to the Pandit, it is believed that if one would walk round the Shivling through the tiny tunnel one would give up their right to rebirth.

The tunnel is supposed to be very tiny that even the thinnest person will find it difficult to navigate through it. At the end of the tunnel, the person will emerge crouched and bent over… It is a lot like a child exiting a mother’s womb and hence symbolic of rebirth.

The Pandit explained all this in English so if you pass by don’t hesitate to stop and talk to him. He is an interesting man with numerous stories to tell. The man brought the temple alive with his passion. He pointed out which parts of the temple would show us the most details of the past.

Things To Do In The Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple

• Talk to the pandit (religious leader) that resides in the temple. He will give you a tour of the temple and explain its significance in the Hindu religion.
• Marvel at the intricate carvings. They are everywhere and have stood the test of time.
• There is a statue of a cow aka Nandi near by that this worth visiting.
• The grass lawns are a perfect space to sit down and relax while taking in the landscape.

Temple Etiquette

Kindly observe temple etiquette when visiting the temple. This means that short clothes are not allowed both for men and women. You shoulders should be covered. As a sign of respect to the religious site, remove your hat when you are in front of the altar aka the inner sanctum of the building.

You are also required to remove your shoes when you enter. Note that the ground can get hot in the places where the stone is exposed to the direct sun.

Understand that this is an active religious site. While it is also visited by tourists, the temple is a place where people come to pray. It is important to be mindful of this and avoid making loud noises.

Have you visited the Kanchi Kailasanathar temple? What was your experience there? Let us know in the comments below.

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