The Kailashnath temple situated at Putleri Street 1.5 km from Kanchipuram. is an ancient temple fine specimen of the Pallava architecture. The Pallava king Rajasimha started the temple in the 7th century AD and was completed by his son Mahendra. It is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram and the finest example of Pallava archite
cture in South India. The foundation of the temple is made of granite while the superstructure is carved out of sandstone.
The circumambulatory path around the sanctum is made in such a manner that it requires visitors to climb the up and down a flight of seven stairs and to crawl through narrow ways.
The temple is adorned with the sculptures of the Lord Shiva in 64 poses, which presents a picture of different aspects of mythology. The fresco paintings embellish the inner walls of the shrine. The temple is unique in its architecture and is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a holy place.
It is not a major pilgrimage center. Pujas are offered regularly here to the Lord Shiva-Kailashanatha. The festival of Shivaratri is held here once every year.
Comments by one of the readers(anonymous)
The Kailasnatha Temple (or Rajasimhesvara Temple) is the largest and the most important of the temples built by Rajasimha Pallava. He built this sandstone temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the late 7th century. It is the oldest temple and one of the most beautiful temples in Kanchipuram. This temple has sub-shrines around the main shrine. There are about 53 sub-shrines, which are a double walled structure, with niches whose interiors are decorated with remarkable paintings in vegetables dyes . Since vegetable dyes were used they got faded but some of them retain their splendor. Though we have lost a large scale of painting, the left ones speak the story of the excellence and technical skill in their making. The damage of paintings is considered to be due to the neglect and unawareness, as the paintings were found to be covered with thick layer of lime wash and even plaster. The existence of these paintings under lime plaster was first noted by Prof. Jouveau Dubreil. These paintings were made in fresco style and the ground for the painting has been prepared by a rough sand lime plaster which has been laid on the coarse-grained fine plaster to receive the paint . Yellow and red ochre’s, terrevete, ultramarine, lamp black and lime have been found in the pigments. Since the pigments used in these paintings are mainly earth and mineral colours they have retained their tonal intensities . The unawareness about the treatment carried out on the paintings like the coating of lime wash resulted in their loss which could have been averted. But now, with the development of material conservation we should not only try to conserve them for posterity but also restore it to regain the losses.
Temple photos
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KAILASNATHA TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM
The Kailasnatha Temple (or Rajasimhesvara Temple) is the largest and the most important of the temples built by Rajasimha Pallava. He built this sandstone temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the late 7th century. It is the oldest temple and one of the most beautiful temples in Kanchipuram. This temple has sub-shrines around the main shrine. There are about 53 sub-shrines, which are a double walled structure, with niches whose interiors are decorated with remarkable paintings in vegetables dyes . Since vegetable dyes were used they got faded but some of them retain their splendor. Though we have lost a large scale of painting, the left ones speak the story of the excellence and technical skill in their making. The damage of paintings is considered to be due to the neglect and unawareness, as the paintings were found to be covered with thick layer of lime wash and even plaster. The existence of these paintings under lime plaster was first noted by Prof. Jouveau Dubreil. These paintings were made in fresco style and the ground for the painting has been prepared by a rough sand lime plaster which has been laid on the coarse-grained fine plaster to receive the paint . Yellow and red ochre’s, terrevete, ultramarine, lamp black and lime have been found in the pigments. Since the pigments used in these paintings are mainly earth and mineral colours they have retained their tonal intensities . The unawareness about the treatment carried out on the paintings like the coating of lime wash resulted in their loss which could have been averted. But now, with the development of material conservation we should not only try to conserve them for posterity but also restore it to regain the losses.
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