Southern Kailayam.. Kanji Kailasanathar temple so special?
Also known as South Kailayam, this temple was built by the Pallavas around 1200 years ago.
The Pallava king Mahendivarman, despite doing many good deeds, had an insatiable desire.It is to build a wonderful temple without any soil,wood,brick, lime or metal! The king’s big dream was fulfilled by his successor, Rajasimhan. This Rajasimhan built a very beautiful temple for Lord Shiva called Kailasanathar at Kanchi.
Also known as Tendishai Kailayam, this temple was built by the Pallavas about 1200 years ago. The structure of this temple resembles the sculptured temples at Mamallapuram. King Rajasimhan was reputed to be like a lion in battle. To indicate that, the entire temple is seen as being supported by lions. We can enter the temple only after taking the permission of Nandi Devar, which is situated on a grand scale.
Every sculpture that we see in this temple is according to the expression of Shivaparakrama. The inner circle with beautiful sculptures that cannot be seen in any other temple is amazing. The appearances of Lord Shiva and his prowess are exemplified by all the songs sung by the Nayanmars in their songs.
The sculptures here are on one side of Samhara Murthas and on the other side of Anugra Murthas. It shows us the imagination and spiritual knowledge of the sculptor who designed it. It highlights the wonderful philosophy of sivan He is the one who protects! He is the one who destroys!
The specialty of this temple is that the moolavar here blesses the devotees as a 16-bar Shodasalingam. On the wall behind the moolavar lingam we can see empiran with elavar kulali along with Balan Kumaran in the form of Somaskandar, he makes a appearance as relief sculpture.
We can see this structure in all the temples in Kanchipuram. Moolavar Sivalinga Thirumeni The 16-barred Shodasalingam, which is said to have been worshiped by Sage Narada, has a large tirumeni made of polished black stone. On the inner and outer walls around the sanctum sanctorum and muhamandapa, Pitchadanar, Gangadharar Tripuranthakar, Somaskandhar. There are sculptures like Durga and Tirumal. In this temple one can also see Shivadandava scenes.
A narrow loop around the karuvarai. It is called punarjanani regeneration. Its inner and outer gates are very narrow. Crawling on the ground and recovering, the feeling of rebirth prevails. It is believed that if you come around this, you will not be reborn, you will get salvation in rebirth.
Maha Shivratri is celebrated with much fanfare in this temple and thousands of devotees go to worship Lord Shiva. The special worship held on the Pradosha days is very critical as are the two festivals held every month in this temple. The temple is open from 6 am to 10 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm. Devotees visit Kailaya Nathar here to get all their wishes fulfilled. Devotees who have fulfilled their wishes bring new clothes to Kailasanathar here. They pay their dues by anointing with milk.