Skip to main content

Kanchipuram Visit - Kailasanatha Temple

Back to Kanchipuram

We wanted to cover one or two temples in the evening of the same day we arrived at Kanchipuram. Our autorikshaw driver was only too glad to take us around. 

He first took us to Kanchi Kailasanatha temple located in the west of Kanchipuram.  He dropped us just in front of the temple. 

The temple has a high rising tower at the entrance.  The temple, built in Dravidian style architecture, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.   Built in 650 AD-705 AD, by the Pallavas, it is the oldest temple of Kanchipuram. Currently it is looked after by the Archeological Survey of India.   

Numerous carved images of Gods and Goddesses are seen on the inner and outer walls of the temple. One of the unique features of this temple is the 16 sided Shivalingam made up of black granite at the main shrine.  Since it was in the evening we could not capture photos properly. However, I am posting one photo which I actually took the next morning while passing that way. 


This is the only temple in Kancheepuram which retained its originality after being built by the Pallavas.  All the other temples have been modified by the other rulers. 

After the darshan, we came out and sat on the steps for a while watching the temple architecture and the pond. I wished if it was day time we could have enjoyed the architecture better.  Without spending more time there we came out and got into the autorikshaw to reach the next temple before it is closed. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Visit to Sri Sai Old Age Home

Recently I was invited by my neighbours to attend a birthday party of their grandson. I was eager to attend it since it was an unusual type of birthday celebration. It was not celebrated at home in a conventional way, but the celebration was with the inmates of an old age home - Sri Sai Old Age Home Orphanage, Magadi Main Road, Sunkadakatte, Bangalore.   It was an overwhelming experience for everyone.   As we stepped in we saw two aged women walking in the veranda. Seeing our unfamiliar faces they paused and stared at us.    Their eyes looked tired and empty, and greeted us with a faint smile. Sri Sai Old Age Home Orphanage is located in Magadi Main Road, Sunkadakatte, Bangalore.  serving the elderly senior citizens and destitutes. It was started by late K.L. Ravi Kumar, who was in scrap business, 17 years ago and since his death 5 years ago, his sons Pradeep Kumar and Sashi Kumar continue this noble work. These young brothers spend their whol...

My Trip to Palani

Palani Murugan Temple is located on top of the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu, South India.  The idol of Palani Andavar is said to have been made of  Navapashanam ( a combination of Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsingh, Silasat) ,  by a siddhar called Bhogar. H e is considered as one of the 18 siddhars born in the world. We left home at 7 a.m planning a long journey, and our first destination was Palani. We had booked an accommodation in a budget hotel, Soundarya, after reading many  reviews by Tripadvisor travellers. It was just okay for a day.  AC was a great relief and it was closer to the Palani Murugan temple. Food was also available. We reached there and had our lunch.  After taking some rest we proceeded towards the temple. We had reached the gate where tickets for winch are booked We wanted to travel in the rope car, but that was in another gate which is quite far, said the autorikshaw drive...

My trip to Nagamangalam, Tamil Nadu

Recently I had an opportunity to visit Lourdes Matha church (Our Lady of Lourdes) at Nagamangalam in Tamil Nadu. Nagamangalam is a Village in Kelamangalam Taluk in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu State. One of my friends wanted to visit there and asked me whether I can accompany her. I took it as a God given opportunity and agreed to accompany her. I immediately googled to collect more details about the place, but initially I didn't find much information. I hope this blog may be of help to those who wish to travel there. The Church is located in the beautiful J.G. Farm at St.Mary's Nagar. From the gate of the Farm it takes 1.5 kms to reach there. Canteen We reached there at about 8.30 a.m. on a Saturday, without knowing the working time. After spending some time there we were about to return and by then people started coming in. So please check the timing of the Church before your visit at http://www.lourdesmatha.com/. The history of the ...