Lord Kailasanathar
The source-preserved principal identity for this temple is Lord Kailasanathar.
Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Pillaiyarpalayam, Karuppadithattadai, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu 631502, India
A Kanchipuram Lord Shiv temple centred on Lord Kailasanathar and a sixteen-sided black granite linga, presented without inventing an associated deity not supplied by the source.
Darshan Start Time
6:00 AM
Use the source-listed opening only as a planning guide and confirm locally.
Crowd Expectation
Festival periods vary
Major festivals and local observances can change access and crowd movement.
Best Darshan Window
Earlier opening period
Earlier visits may be easier outside festival peaks, but queues are never guaranteed.
Darshan Options
General darshan
Follow current temple queue, offering and sanctum-access instructions.
Official Notice / Visitor Information: The supplied source lists 6:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00 PM–7:30 PM with an afternoon closure. Confirm current hours before travel.
Source: DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx. Current arrangements may vary.
Lord Kailasanathar
Sixteen-sided black granite linga
Source-backed identity
Practical visit guide
Overview
Source-backed temple guide
Kailasanathar Temple stands on the western side of Kanchipuram. The source identifies Lord Kailasanathar and describes the sanctum linga as sixteen-sided and made of black granite.
The source does not specify an associated deity for this batch record. This guide therefore leaves that field explicitly unclaimed rather than filling it from general knowledge.
- PlaceKanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
- Sacred focusLord Kailasanathar
- SettingKailasa sacred identity and Pallava temple tradition
- Visit typeDarshan, temple tradition, architecture and pilgrimage planning
Main Deity and Sacred Form
Exact temple identity
A Kanchipuram Lord Shiv temple centred on Lord Kailasanathar and a sixteen-sided black granite linga, presented without inventing an associated deity not supplied by the source.
Sixteen-sided black granite linga
This sacred-form wording follows the exact temple source and is not generalised to the other batch temples.
Not specified in the supplied temple source
No associated deity is added because the supplied temple source does not specify one.
Meaning and Significance
Temple-specific identity, not a generic substitute
Lord Kailasanathar
The local temple name and presiding identity remain Lord Kailasanathar.
Sixteen-sided black granite linga
The sacred form is preserved exactly as Sixteen-sided black granite linga.
Kailasa sacred identity and Pallava temple tradition
The source situates the temple within Kailasa sacred identity and Pallava temple tradition.
Sacred Tradition
Devotional narrative, carefully framed
The temple’s devotional identity evokes Mount Kailasa and Lord Shiv as Kailasanathar.
The source’s temple tradition and its art-historical discussion are kept separate: sacred meaning is not used as proof for architectural dates.
History
Source account and surviving fabric
Temple tradition
The temple’s devotional identity evokes Mount Kailasa and Lord Shiv as Kailasanathar.
Historical account
The source places the principal construction around 700 CE under the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha, with work associated also with Mahendravarman III. It is responsibly described here as an early Pallava stone temple, without an absolute “first temple” claim.
Architecture
Source-described temple form
The source describes a granite base with sandstone superstructure, a four-storey pyramidal vimana, lion-based pillars, Somaskanda reliefs, murals, inscriptions and fifty-eight small shrines around the enclosure.
Entrance, Direction and Sanctum
Follow the living temple’s current route
Approach from Auto-rickshaw or taxi to Pillaiyarpalayam on western Kanchipuram. Remove footwear where directed, keep circulation clear and follow current security, photography and sanctum-access instructions.
The visitor-facing route does not grant access to restricted worship or heritage areas.
Special Features
Six source-supported distinctions
Sixteen-sided black granite linga
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Pallava-period stone architecture
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Pyramidal vimana
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Lion-based pillars
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Fifty-eight small shrines
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Somaskanda reliefs and historic murals
A temple-specific feature documented in DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx.
Quick Decision Guide
Choose the planning path that fits your visit.
Visit fit
Lord Kailasanathar darshan
Best for temple-specific worship, tradition and architecture.
Plan darshanSeason and crowds
October to March
Festival periods may bring heavier crowds and altered access.
Compare visit periodsApproach
Kanchipuram
Auto-rickshaw or taxi to Pillaiyarpalayam on western Kanchipuram.
Review the routeConfirm before visiting
Check current rules
Reconfirm opening, access, offerings, photography and local transport.
Use reference notesSuggested Visit Sequence
A practical four-step flow; current on-site directions take priority.
1
Reach western Kanchipuram
Use the Pillaiyarpalayam approach and allow for town traffic.
2
Enter the historic precinct
Protect fragile surfaces and follow photography instructions.
3
Take Kailasanathar darshan
Keep the sixteen-sided linga identity distinct and source-based.
4
Explore respectfully
View enclosure shrines and art only from permitted areas.
How to Reach
Plan the final approach using the full temple address; travel times vary.
Nearest named airport
- Chennai International Airport, approximately 75 km.
Rail approach
- Kanchipuram railway station, approximately 2.7 km.
Regional road connections
- NH 48 route from Chennai; source estimate 1.5–2 hours.
Kanchipuram
- Auto-rickshaw or taxi to Pillaiyarpalayam on western Kanchipuram.
- Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Pillaiyarpalayam, Karuppadithattadai, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu 631502, India
Sacred Timings
Source-listed daily opening periods with an afternoon closure.
Daily source scheduleTwo opening periodsConfirm festival-day and locally adjusted hours before travel.
MORNING
Morning Darshan Hours
Opening period6:00 AM–12:00 PM
EVENING
Evening Darshan Hours
Opening period4:00 PM–7:30 PM
Schedule note
Confirm before travel
Source-listed hours may change during festivals and local arrangements.
Aarti
Temple-specific schedule
No separate current aarti time is asserted. Ask at the temple rather than transferring a schedule from another shrine.
Festivals
Source-described temple observances
Maha Shivaratri
A festival or observance identified in the supplied source for Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. Confirm the current calendar and programme locally.
Thirukarthigai
A festival or observance identified in the supplied source for Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. Confirm the current calendar and programme locally.
Arudra Darshanam
A festival or observance identified in the supplied source for Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. Confirm the current calendar and programme locally.
Pradosham
A festival or observance identified in the supplied source for Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. Confirm the current calendar and programme locally.
Devotional Practice
Open public remembrance in Roman transliteration
Shiva nama mantra
Om Namah Shivaya
Meaning: Salutation to Shiva.
Context: Public remembrance; lineage-specific initiated disciplines may add rules.
Mahadeva salutation
Om Mahadevaya Namah
Meaning: Salutation to Mahadeva, the Great God.
Context: No health, survival or guaranteed outcome is claimed.
Daily Worship and Rituals
Respectful participation
Temple worship centres on darshan of Lord Kailasanathar. Follow the priests’ and staff’s current instructions for queues, offerings and access.
Temple Agamic worship is not reproduced as a household procedure. No operational nyasa, bija, mudra, yantra activation, secret paddhati, consecration or fire-ritual instruction is published here.
Explore Lord Shiv Worship & Knowledge
Continue with five focused topics in the Lord Shiv hub.
Offerings and Prasad
Small, safe and temple-approved
Ask before offering
Use only the items and offering points currently accepted by the temple.
Responsible materials
Use small amounts of clean water or responsibly sourced flowers only when permitted; prevent waste and slippery floors.
Safety boundary
Do not ingest dhatura, akanda, cannabis, mercury, unknown ash, powders or temple liquids.
Best Time to Visit
Season, schedule and crowd planning
October to March
The source identifies this as the generally more comfortable visiting period.
Earlier opening period
May be easier outside festival peaks, but queue time is never guaranteed.
Festival visits
Choose a major festival for its devotional context while expecting crowd and access changes.
Nearby Places
Optional source-described extensions
Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
Distance: Approximately 2 km
An optional stop from the source-described local or regional circuit.
Open mapKamakshi Amman Temple
Distance: Approximately 3 km
An optional stop from the source-described local or regional circuit.
Open mapEkambareswarar Temple
Distance: Approximately 4 km
An optional stop from the source-described local or regional circuit.
Open mapVaradaraja Perumal Temple
Distance: Approximately 4 km
An optional stop from the source-described local or regional circuit.
Open mapSuggested Sacred Circuit
Optional route, not a compulsory ritual order
Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Begin with the main destination and current darshan route.
Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
Approximately 2 km; include only if time, access and mobility allow.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
Approximately 3 km; include only if time, access and mobility allow.
Visitor Information and Safety
Before you enter
- RespectWear modest clothing, remove footwear where directed and keep worship routes clear.
- Current rulesAsk before photography, offerings or entering any restricted area.
- HealthCarry safe drinking water, manage heat and medication needs, and do not treat devotional practice as medical care.
- Temple-specific careHistoric sandstone and painted surfaces are vulnerable. Do not touch carvings or cross conservation barriers.
- ScamsDo not rely on unofficial agents, guaranteed access or promised devotional outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source-based answers for visit planning
The supplied temple source identifies Lord Kailasanathar as the presiding identity; it does not specify an associated deity for this record.
The supplied temple source describes Sixteen-sided black granite linga.
The source lists approximately 6:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00 PM–7:30 PM. Confirm the current schedule before travel.
The supplied visitor guidance recommends October to March, while festival periods may be substantially busier.
Treat sacred narratives as temple tradition, follow current on-site instructions and avoid converting devotional identity into archaeological certainty.
No current universal rule is asserted here. Ask at the temple and follow the instructions in force on the day of the visit.
Reference Notes
Source scope and editorial boundaries
DM-SV-005-A_TN.docx
Primary source for the temple’s identity, location, sacred traditions, timings, travel, festivals, architecture and nearby places.
Lord Shiv Worship Master
Read-only source for public Roman-transliteration mantras, responsible offerings and restricted-practice boundaries.
Editorial method
Sacred narrative, history and art-historical statements remain distinct. Current arrangements are marked for local confirmation.