Built in the 8th century Kailasanathar temple is one of the oldest temples still standing proudly in all its glory in Kanchipuram, the city of temples.
The main deity Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lord Kailasanathar in it's lingam form that shines brightly in black granite. I've visited this temple a few times before but it was only this time I learnt that there is something special in the garbagraha - there's a circumambulatory passage around the Shivalingam that one can only bow down to get inside and crawl their way out. These kinds of little adventures thrill me but I didn't dare to get in. I'm kind of claustrophobic and was worried what if I get stuck inside and couldn't get out. The entry of this passage is called the gate of death, of course, it takes guts to enter it in the first place. And, the exit, a tiny passage through which one can only crawl out is called the gate of birth. I'm sure if a healthy person enters he would get stuck when he tries to come out through this way. This passage symbolises birth and death and the one who gets in and comes out will make a round around the linga and considered to have broken the cycle of rebirth and attain moksha.
The temple is more than a thousand years old and is said to have inspired Rajaraja Cholan to build the Brihadeeshwar temple in Tanjore. Just like the gopuram in Tanjore big temple, this temple also has a single kalasam on top of the wide-based temple tower. Built in sandstone, the wear and tear of thousands of years could be witnessed with the damaged face and ears of Nandhi as I went around the temple pragaram. But I felt utterly amazed that even after these many years many of the statues still felt intact. Lord Muruga sitting on his peacock, dakshinamurthy and many statues fight for our attention.
A huge Nandhi sits majestically at a distance facing the main entrance. The small temple pond is situated in a corner of the premises. The lawn bordered by neem trees offer a sight for sore eyes and provides shady atmosphere even in hot summer - a perfect spot to spend quality time with family and friends after darshan.
Right outside the main entrance i found a little roadside shop that sells bronze sculptures of Gods and Goddesses. I was amazed to find that little shop is stocked with a variety of decorative items too, all in bronze, that i craved to buy some but was in a rush to start.
Calm, yet full of charm this temple is nothing but a wonder sitting silently away from the noise and traffic of the city. Maintained by the Archeological Survey of India to preserve its glory this temple is a must-visit when you happen to visit Kancheepuram.
Comments
Post a Comment