---
title: Kanchipuram
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Kanchipuram/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Kanchipuram
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Kanchipuram (sometimes simply called Kanchi or Kanci) is an ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in the Tamil Nadu region of southern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). Once a capital of the Pallava dynasty, Kanchipuram was also a noted centre of learning for Tamil and [Sanskrit](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sanskrit/) scholars. Known as 'the religious capital of the South' its early 8th century CE Kailasanatha [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is one of the most impressive structures surviving from ancient India.
### Historical Overview
The city was at one time the capital of the Pallavas (4th to 9th centuries CE). Kanchipuram fell to King Pulakesin II (r. 610-642 CE) in the 7th century CE when this powerful Early Western Calukya ruler defeated Harsa of Kanauj. Falling again into Pallava hands it was recaptured by the Calukya ruler Vikramaditya II (r. 733-746 CE) and a contemporary inscription at the site records this victory. Kanchi was also the home of the famous 6th century CE poet Bharavi who wrote the Kiratarjuniya and the famous 11th to 12th century CE [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) philosopher Ramanuja. Still today an important religious centre, the site has over 120 temples and is also noted for its production of fine [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/) saris.
### Kailasanatha Temple
The Kailasanatha (or Rajasimhesvara) is one of the largest and most ornate ancient temples in the whole of India. Built by the Pallava king Rajasimha (reign 700-728 CE and otherwise known as Narasimhavarman II) it is dedicated to the Hindu [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/). The sandstone structure is enclosed within a highly decorative [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) which has interior niches forming 58 separate shrines containing figures of Shiva, Parvati, and Skanda. The shrines also have traces of colourful murals, now lost.
The western side of the perimeter wall once had an early barrel-vaulted *gopura* or monumental gate but the now principal entrance is dominated by the Mahendravarmesvara, which is actually a shrine not a gate. Named after Rajasimha's son, it contains a large sacred *linga* (phallus). The placement of this shrine and the memorial shrines actually outside the compound on the east side are unique in [Hindu architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hindu_Architecture/). The entrance to the temple building itself is composed of the typical columned porch, the *mandapa*, which is open on four sides and now connected to the temple proper by a more modern six-columned hall.
[  Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram, India Kannan Muthuraman (CC BY-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4000/kailasanatha-temple-kanchipuram-india/ "Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram, India")The Kailasanatha has one of the largest and most complex towers (*vimana*) anywhere. The inner sacred shrine (*garbhagriha*) has a circumambulatory passage for worshippers to ritually walk around it. The three exterior walls of the *garbhagriha* have seven lesser shrines placed around them and each contains an image of Shiva. The whole of the exterior of the temple is covered in a mass of relief [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/), notably of rearing lions (*yalis*), Nandis, attendants of Shiva (*ganas*), Shiva, and other Hindu deities.
### Vaikunthaperumal Temple
Unusually for a Pallava temple the Vaikunthaperumal, built by Nandivarman II in the late 8th century CE, is dedicated to [Vishnu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vishnu/). It is one of the latest surviving temples built by the Pallavas. Again dominated by a huge tower, the temple is also exceptional for its triple shrine, one on each story and each containing an image of Vishnu. A *mandapa* with eight columns leads to the sacred shrines within where there are two circumambulatory passages on the first floor. The interior walls of the temple are decorated with relief sculpture depicting scenes from the history of the Pallava dynasty.
[  Vimana, Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram Andrea Kirkby (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4002/vimana-kailasanatha-temple-kanchipuram/ "Vimana, Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram")Other buildings at Kanchipuram include several smaller Pallava shrines of which the Muktesvara and Matangesvara are the biggest. The small Cokkisvara temple dates to the 12th century CE and has been restored. Finally, the Varadaraja temple was built in the early 17th century CE and has a massive *gopura* and outstanding sculpture on its exterior, notably the rearing lions of its *mandapa* columns. Besides the abundant sculpture adorning the various monuments of the city several excellent figures of *yoginis* have survived, typically in greenstone and dating to the 9th and 10th centuries CE.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Craven, R.C. *Indian Art.* Thames & Hudson, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203024/)
- [Das, R. *The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism.* Lorenz Books, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0754820564/)
- [Mitter, P. *Indian Art.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842218/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2015, July 24). Kanchipuram. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Kanchipuram." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 24, 2015. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Kanchipuram." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Jul 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 24 July 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.