The Kailasanathar Temple (Lord of Kailasa) , is an awe inspiring temple complex in Kanchipuram, the Pallava Capital. Built in the classic Pallava architectural style, the temple is a carved out of massive sandstone. About 1400 years old (give or take a few centuries) the temple was built by the great Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, and completed by his son Mahendravarman III – and is built in the Smarta style – Shiva and Parvati the centre of the universe of Gods (my family is Smarta).
The Kailasanathar Temple has exquisite mini temples across the complex – each with an instance of Shiva Parvati – as a couple, carved into walls.
The complex is huge. the passageway between the temple and the outer wall – you can drive a couple of double deckers through it, and have space left over for a few bicyclists. It is huge. and while walking in the complex, that sense of awe is created by their use of space.
The Pyramid shaped vimana occupies the pride of place at the complex. Yalis – man lions are all around guarding the vimana. The Yalis are interesting creatures seen often in temple carvings. Supposed to be fierce fighters, and of course completely mythical. Other cultures have them. The most famous pop manifestation of Yali like creatures in pop culture are the Gargoyles of Gotham (Batman).
One other thing about the Yalis is that they aren’t always strictly man lion combination. there may be other animals in the mix. sometimes a bird. sometimes an elephant. depended, i am guessing, on the artist’s imagination. At the base of the carvings, you have inscriptions in Nagari and Pallava Grantha scripts.
i am told there is a tunnel passageway that provided an escape route for those seeking sanctuary from enemies. And, there were a lot of skirmishes / wars in the era when the temples were built.
I plan to go back there to shoot at leisure, at a time there isn’t too much top light. maybe spend a few days in Kanchipuram, just marvelling at the temples in the town.
More of the pics can be found on my flickr stream, here.
