Gud nyt frnds. My fav temple kanchi kailasanatha temple history read and sleeps. Thekanchi Kailasanathar templeis the oldest structure in Kanchipuram. [ 1 ]Located in Tamil Nadu, India, it is a Hindu templein the Dravidian architectural style. It is dedicated to the god Shiva, and is known for its historical importance. The temple was built from 685-705AD by a Rajasimha ruler of the Pallava Dynasty. The low-slung sandstonecompound contains a large number of carvings, including many half-animal deities which were popular during the early Dravidian architectural period. [ 2 ]The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. These are built into niches on the inner face of the high compound wall of the circumambulatory passage. [ 3 ] Geography The temple is located on the banks of the Vedavathi Riverat the western limits of the Kanchipuram. It faces east. [ 4 ] [ 5 ]Its location, demarcated according to the religious faiths, is in one of three Kanchis, the Shiva Kanchi; the other two Kanchis are, Vishnu Kanchi and Jain Kanchi. [ 6 ]It is 75 kilometres (47 mi) from the Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. [ 6 ]Kailasanathar is one of several notable temples in Kanchipuram, the others being Ekambaranatha, Kachapeshwarar, Kamakshi Amman, Kumarakottam Temple, and Varadaraja Perumal.[ citation needed] History The Kailasanathar Temple (meaning:“Lord of the Cosmic Mountain”), is built in the tradition of Smarthaworship of Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya(Sun), Ganapathiand Kartikeya, in Hinduism, a practice which replaced the Buddhism. [ 7 ] Temple construction is credited to the Pallava dynastywho had established their kingdom with Kanchipuram (also known as Kanchi or Shiva Vishnu Kanchi) as the capital city, considered one of the seven sacred cities under Hinduism. There was an interregnum when the Chalukyarulers defeated the Pallavas and occupied Kanchipuram. However, the Pallavas regained their territory and started expanding their capital city of Kanchipuram and built many temples of great magnificence. The only temple of this period which is extant is the Kailsahanathar Temple. [ 4 ] The temple was built during 685-705AD. [ 8 ]It is the first structural temple built in South Indiaby Narasimhavarman II(Rajasimha), and who is also known as Rajasimha Pallaveswaram. His son Mahendravarman III, completed the front façade and the gopuram(tower). Prior temples were either built of wood or hewn into rock faces in caves or on boulders, as seen in Mahabalipuram. [ 3 ] [ 6 ]The Kailasanathar temple became the trend setter for other similar temples in South India. [ 9 ]According to local belief, the temple was a safe sanctuary for the rulers of the kingdom during wars. A secret tunnel, built by the kings, was used as an escape route and is still visible. [ 3 ] The temple has gone by other names such asKachipettu Periya Thirukatrali(meaning: Stone Temple of Kachipettu, the old name for the present day Kanchipuram) when Rajaraja Chola Iof the Chola Dynasty paid a visit to this temple. Inspired by the architecture of this temple, he built the Brihadeeswarar Templein Thanjavur. [ 10 ]Currently, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. [ 11 ] Architecture Inner court or the circumambulatory passage with 58 subshrines. Typical design of pillar with multi-directional mythical lions. Temple view The temple has retained the Pallava architecture in its original stylized form with influence of the later styles developed by the Chola Dynastyand Vijayanagara Emperors. [ 3 ]It is of stone built architecture unlike the rock cut architecture built into hallowed caves or carved into rock outcrops as in Mahabalipuram. The tall gopuram (tower) is to the left and the temple complex is to the right. [ 12 ]The temples foundations are made of granite, which could withstand the weight of the temple, while the super structure including the carvings are all made of sandstone. Initially, only the main sanctuary existed with pyramidal vimanaand a detached mandapa(main hall).[ citation needed] The temple complex is complete in all respects as it hasgarbagriha( sanctum sanctorum), antarala(inner enclosure), mandapa, a high compound wall, and an entrance gate, the gopuram. [ 11 ]The mandapa, which was initially detached, was made part of the main shrine by interposing an ardhamantapa(smaller hall). The pillars of the mandapa have the repetitive features of mythical lion mounts.[ citation needed] The structure has a simple layout with a tower or shikaraat the center of the complex. The shikara of the temple, above the main shrine (sanctum sanctorum), is square in plan and rises up in a curvilinear style or pyramidal shape. The tower has many levels rising proportionately.[ citation needed]At the top of this tower, there is a small roof in the shape of a dome. The pillar elements with mythical animal shapes (lions on the base) are extra features in Pallava style. [ 11 ] [ 4 ]At the entrance, thegopuramwalls are plastered. Its entrance wall has eight small shrines and a gopura, precursor to the main gopura. At some later stage, the mandapa and the sanctuary were joined by an intermediate hall called theardhamantapa, which is reported to have marred the beauty of the temple to some extent. The temple is enclosed within walls in a rectangular layout. Shrines A sculpture in one of the niches of the 58 subshrines. Sculpture Sculpture The main shrine has a 16 sided Shivalingain black granitestone deified in the sanctum sanctorum. Within the walls of the main shrine there is padabhanda adhisthana(main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted Nandi, a little distance away giving guard to the deity. On each face of the outer walls of the main shrine there are many carvings of gods and goddesses. In the south facing wall the sculpture depicts Shiva as Umamaheshavara with Varaha(incarnation of Vishnu as a boar) raising the linga, flanked by Brahmaand Vishnuand flying amarasat the lower level. The west facing hall has sculptures of Shiva in the form ofSandhya TandavamurtiandUrdhava Tandvamurtiand the ensemble is completed with images of ganasin dancing poses and also with images of Brahma, Vishnu, Nandi and Parvathi. The carving of Shiva on the north facing wall is a composition ofTripurantakaflanked by threeganas, goddess Durgawith threeganas, and Bhairavi, Kaushikiand Jyestha. The exterior faces of thevimana(tower) have images of Bhikshatana, Somaskandaand Shiva inSamhara-Tandava(destructive dancing) pose. In the inner walls of the prakara(circumabulatory passage) there is galaxy of images of Durga, Skanda, Bhavati, Tripurantaka, Garudarudha-Vishnu, Asura Samhara(slaying of demons), Narasimha Vishnu (Vishnu in the incarnation of lion faced man), Trivikrama, Shiva Tandava (Shiva in a dancing pose), Shiva severing the fifth head of Brahma, desecration of Yagnaof Dakhsa, Brahma and his wife, Gangadhara,Urdhava tandava,Vishnu flanked by Bhudeviand Sridevi,Lingodhbava(emergence of linga), Bhikshatana, Ravana, and Valioffering prayers toAtmalinga Chandikeshvara.Vimanas south facing wall has very elegant image of Shiva in a sitting posture of peace and quietude known as Dakhshinamurti, and its west wall has Shiva in the form ofLingodhbava.[ citation needed] The tower has multiple shrines embodied on all its external faces which have the appearance of miniature shrines. These shrines have three features, the sala (rectangular), kuta(square) and panjara(apsidal) styles. Eight small shrines also decorate the entrance wall. The 58 small shrines are built into the niches of the compound wall that encloses the main shrine;[ citation needed]they depict Somaskanada reliefs of Shiva and his consort Parvathiin many dance forms. [ 3 ] Other features The outstanding feature of sculptures is the profusion of depiction of the erect lions projecting out in several directions. [ 9 ][ citation needed]There are two sculptures of Shiva here which are seen holding the Veena] (musical string instrument) in the hand. There is a lot of difference between the Veena found in the said sculptures and the present day Veena. [ 13 ]There are also beautiful sculptures ofMathahvialasa Prakshanam.The temple also has the earliest stone inscription records of the twenty eight Saivagamas(Shaiva saints) in which the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman states his faith in Shaivism. [ 14 ]The murals on the inner walls[ citation needed]are well preserved. [ 6 ] Circumambulatory passage A circumambulatory passage, with a symbolic meaning is situated along the compound wall. In order to make the circumambulation, there is a narrow entry passage which devotees must crawl through. Seven steps must be climbed in order to reach the passage. Passing through the narrow passage is indicative of passage through life. After the circumambulation, the exit is through a pit or another narrow passage symbolic of death. [ 6 ] [ 15 ]It is believed that making the circumambulation round the various deities would usher the same blessings as visiting paradise.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:35:55 +0000
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