Pallava King Narasimha Varman II, famously known by his title ‘Rajasimhan,’ constructed this magnificent temple for Lord Shiva, naming it ‘Rajasimhesvaram’ after himself. This was the original name of the Kailasa Nathar temple, also referred to in Tamil as ‘Kacchippettu Periya Tirukkatrali’ (the grand stone temple of Kanchipuram). It was a royal shrine and one of its kind in Tamil Nadu. The Chola King Rajarajan visited this temple and was inspired to build the grand Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore. The reign of King Rajasimhan is considered a golden era in South Indian temple architecture. He constructed renowned temples at Mamallapuram along the shore, a hill temple at Panamalai, and the monumental Kailasa Nathar temple in Kanchipuram.
Location
This temple is located at the western edge of the town, beyond the end of Sangita Vidwan Naina Pillai Street. It is approximately 2 kilometers from the bus stand.
Architecture
The Kailasa Nathar temple is recognized as the first fully developed architectural temple in Tamil Nadu and was the first to adhere to a detailed Agamic plan. The ‘Agamas’ are religious texts that outline the principles for temple architecture, sculpture, and rituals, including music and dance performances within the temple. Constructed from sandstone, typical of Pallava-period architecture, the Kailasa Nathar temple features a rectangular layout oriented from east to west.
The sanctum sanctorum is situated in the western half of the rectangular courtyard and houses a large, 16-faceted Lingam. On the rear wall of the sanctum, a Somaskanda sculptural panel is depicted, showing Shiva and Uma seated with their young son Skanda on her lap, while Brahma and Vishnu stand on either side. This Pallava iconographic presentation is a common feature in Shiva temples from the Pallava period. The sanctum is surrounded by a double-walled system, and walking through the narrow space between the walls is associated with religious significance.
The four-story Vimanam (roof) above the sanctum is square up to the Grivam (neck) and octagonal at the Shikaram (head). The Vimanam’s superstructural storeys are supported by a bridge of slabs over the double-walled system, representing an architectural innovation of that time. Along the outer wall of the sanctum are seven beautifully decorated Angalayas (small sub-temples), rich in figural decoration and ornamentation.
To the east of the sanctum is a Mahamandapam (porch) with 12 large stone pillars featuring heavy square capitals. Inside this Mandapam is an important inscription from Chalukya King Vikramaditya II. Originally separate from the sanctum, this structure was later connected by an Ardhamandapam, which does not match the original style of the temple complex. The entrance to the sanctum is now through this Ardhamandapam from the south.
The inner walls along the circumambulatory path are lined with 58 small shrines, creating a decorative garland around the temple. To the east of the Mahamandapam, Mahendra Varman III, the son of Rajasimhan, built a medium-sized temple named Mahendravarmeswara Griham. Outside the entrance, eight additional small shrines were later added by the royal family, with the third shrine on the right constructed by Rajasimha’s wife, Queen Rangapathagai. A large Nandi (bull) stands outside the temple complex.
Sculpture
The walls of the sanctum sanctorum and the outer walls of the temple are adorned with numerous sculptures, all depicting epic themes. Inside the temple, you can find sculptures of dancing Shiva, Tripurantaka, Durga, Somaskanda, Narasimha Vishnu, Ravana, Vali, and others. Themes such as Asura Samharam and the destruction of Daksa Yagna are also represented.
Painting
Inside the sanctum sanctorum, behind the main deity Lingam, the Somaskanda sculpture is visible on the wall. Originally, this sculpture was painted, but now only remnants of the original painting remain. The wall paintings in this temple are considered to be of equal significance to the Ajanta cave paintings.
Inscription
On the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum, inscriptions in Pallava Grantha script can be found. These inscriptions trace the lineage of the Pallava ancestors from Brahma through Aswathama and include various epithets glorifying Narasimha Varman, such as Kanchi Mahamani, Mamalla, Kulathilaga, Rajasimha, Ranajaya, and Ekaveera.
An intriguing Kannada inscription on a pillar near the Mandapam’s window reveals that Chalukya King Vikramaditya II, after defeating the Pallavas and capturing their capital, Kanchipuram, visited the Kailasa Nathar temple. Impressed by its beauty and grandeur, Vikramaditya returned all the captured items to the temple and declared that anyone who attempted to destroy the inscription would suffer a fate akin to those who once harmed the members of Gathika in Kanchi. Further research is needed to identify the Gathika in question, the individuals involved, and the reasons behind their deaths. In his own kingdom, Vikramaditya built another Kailasa Nathar temple following the Kanchi model, but it does not match the grandeur of the Kanchi temple. Inscriptions from Chola kings, including Parantaka and Rajaraja, are also present in this temple.
Mythology
(1) Three Asuras known as the Tripura Asuras ruled the three realms—heaven, earth, and the underworld. They constructed three fortresses of gold, silver, and iron and were devoted worshippers of Lord Shiva, possessing immense power. Their oppressive behavior towards the Devas led the Devas to seek help from Lord Vishnu, who vowed to save them. Vishnu conducted a Yagna and created many demons to combat the Tripura Asuras, but these demons proved ineffective against the Asuras’ strength. Realizing that the Tripuras’ devotion to Shiva was formidable, Vishnu devised a plan to deceive them. He created a being named Adi Buddha with unique attributes and sent him to the Asuras along with Naradha. Both befriended the Asuras and led them to neglect their devotion to Shiva.
Upon discovering this, Vishnu went to Kailash with the other Devas and informed Shiva of the suffering caused by the Tripura Asuras. Enraged by the Asuras’ disregard for devotion and their cruelty, Shiva smiled at them, causing them to be instantly reduced to ashes. Thus, Shiva earned the title Tripura Anthaka, meaning “destroyer of the Tripura Asuras.”
Concerned about the sin of deceiving Shiva’s devotees, Vishnu and Naradha feared that their transgression could not be atoned for in countless lifetimes. They traveled to Kanchipuram, where they felt a sense of relief upon arrival. There, they constructed the Kailasa Nathar temple and worshipped Shiva for many years. Shiva appeared before them and acknowledged that their sin could not be easily forgiven. However, he offered them a chance for redemption by creating a narrow circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum. He instructed them to crawl through this narrow passage, enduring physical discomfort. Shiva assured them that performing this penance repeatedly over many years would help them transcend the cycle of birth and death. Vishnu and Naradha followed this guidance and eventually attained Mukti. This narrow pathway is still present and is known as the ‘Mukthi Entrance.’
(2) In the epic Periya Puranam by Saint Sekkizhar, there is a reference to this temple in connection with the life of Poosalar Nayanar. Pallava King Narasimha Varman II had completed the construction of the Kailasa Nathar temple in Kanchipuram and scheduled its Kumbabhishekam. However, Lord Shiva appeared in the King’s dream and instructed him to reschedule the ceremony to honor a more devoted devotee who had also built a temple for Shiva in Thiru Nindravoor.
The next morning, the King visited the village as directed by Shiva but found no temple there. The villagers then directed him to a Saivite saint named Poosalar Nayanar. Upon arriving at the saint’s residence, the King found him deep in meditation. To the King’s amazement, he saw a vision of a temple rising within the saint’s mind. The King humbly approached the saint and subsequently built a Shiva temple in that village, naming it ‘Hridayaleeswarar.’ He rescheduled the Kumbabhishekam of his Kanchipuram temple and renamed it Rajasimheswaram.
Events
At this location, Iyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar offered his praises to Shiva.
Religion : Saivism
Timing : 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Deity : Kailasa Nathar
Built By : Narasimha Varman II
Period : 8th Century
Category : Temple
