Thursday, 19 May 2016

Oldest Structural Temple of South India: Kai-lasa-Nadhar Temple, Kanchipuram

Wikipedia says that Kai-lasa-Nadhar Temple in Kanchipuram is the most established auxiliary Temple in South India. Amid one of my normal excursions to Kanchipuram, I went to see with my own eyes how a Temple was built amid 685 – 705 CE. Fortunately, this Temple has survived – verging on in place – for over 1300 years!




Kanchipuram is a South Indian town situated at a separation of 90 KM from the cutting edge Metropolitan city of Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu. This town has recorded history going back to the Tamil Sangam Period (3nd Century BCE – third Century CE). A couple of abstract works of the Sangam period have survived and specify Kanchipuram – that is the way we know now that it has been in presence, in any event from that point – it was most likely settled much before!


Despite the fact that Kanchipuram is a prominent Hindu religious focus, numerous (even in India) will be astonished to realize that Buddhism, Jainism, Islam (and now Christianity) additionally assumed a huge part in molding the way of life and religious fabric of the city. Sometime in the past Buddhism was far reaching in India. Bodhidharma, accepted to the third child of a Pallava ruler from Kanchipuram, advanced Zen-Buddhism in China.


It is said that Hinduism practically turned into a minority religion in India, which was likewise cleared by the rush of Buddhism. Later on, Shankaracharyas (starting with Adi Shankara) from Kanchipuram contributed significantly towards the restoration of Hinduism, the country over.





Prior to this Temple, there were others however they didn't have the structure we see today. Rock-cut Temples/Temples made of wood from the Pallava period (more seasoned than this one) do exist, yet the Kailasanadhar Temple was the main Temple to be worked with a Gopuram (tower), a Sanctum Sanitorium (Statue of God situated beneath the tower), pathway for circumbulation, four dividers over the border, and different components that characterize Hindu Temples, until today.





This Temple is thought to be a colossal accomplishment for the general population in those days as its arranging, configuration and development were basically venturesome – a task on this scale was essentially not embraced before (in this district). This Temple later turned into the motivation for the considerably more nervy 'Brihadeeswara Temple' in Tanjore.


Kanchipuram – I ought to have told before – was the capital city of Pallavas (a conspicuous South Indian tradition) and a Pallava King called "Rajasimha" orchestrated building this Temple. The establishment of this Temple was made of Granite and despite the dividers being made of yellow sandstone, a great part of the first Pallava engineering has made due with no significant redesigns. This Temple is in neglect for a long time now – perhaps that is the reason it has survived weathering and wars!


There are excellent stone-molds all over – On the tower, on the dividers, on the columns and all around else. All around the fundamental sanctum, there are 58 littler places of worship with octogonal towers situated beside each other shaping lovely symmetry. Every tower contains carvings of various types of God Shiva, to whom this Temple is devoted.







On the off chance that you deliberately see the photos, you'll discover a lion-headed creature cut on the columns. It's not a lion – it's a legendary creature called "yazhi" with a lion face. The story behind that creature is presently lost – individuals believe it should ensure the Temple. This legendary creature must be found in Temples built in the early Dravidian engineering period in South India. This Temple once in a while served as a fort for Kings amid fights and a mystery passage which permits them to escape somewhere else, has additionally been found.



This Temple is an ASI secured landmark now and there is very little group, which is a consistent component in most Indian Temples. ASI has benefited a vocation presenting greenery surrounding this spot and it's a flawless spot for traveling – for Indians and in addition nonnatives. This landmark is an absolute necessity visit for its history, as well as for it being a living-confirmation to excellent human undertaking, as ahead of schedule as seventh Century.

A Large Shiva/Nandi Statue @ Kanchipuram

When I was going to Kanchipuram from Chennai (on the Chennai-Bangalore expressway), I saw a vast Shiva/Nandi statue on my left hand side. This statue was found just before one takes a left to go to Kanchipuram from the principle street (primary curve) and soon after the L&T production line.


I got to be interested and went close to the spot to enquire with the security staff on whether I can visit the premises. He was glad to join me, show around the spot and answer my inquiries. I came to realize that this premise is not really a Temple, but rather is intended to be more similar to a landmark. It appears it is constructed and oversaw by Sankara Madam, situated in Kanchipuram.

The Nandi Statue is around 25-30 feet in tallness and the Shiva statue is around 60-70 feet in stature. I am not certain on the off chance that you can figure its range from the photos, however the statues are tremendous and are effortlessly noticeable from the principle street. It appears this spot is open for open to visit (there are no tickets).

He let me know something else that was considerably additionally intriguing. It appears, Sankara madam has additionally conceptualized a legacy/legendary historical center directly behind this spot and individuals can visit it to get a look at our fanciful history. He says media based shows are likewise included.

In any case, they require no less than 5-6 individuals to work imperative shows in that exhibition hall (guests in gatherings). Since I went alone, I was not ready to visit it. On the off chance that anybody can visit this spot, please share your involvement in the remarks segment underneath.


In the mean time, observe some photos of Lord Shiva/Nandi and a short video I took close to the landmarks.

A Museum in Kanchipuram – Shakuntala Jagannathan Museum of Folk Art

Shakuntala Jagannathan Museum of Folk Art is situated in a 400 year old legacy house called 'Brahma Mandiram' in Kanchipuram, close Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It is found near Ekambareeswarar Temple. This house had a place with maternal predecessors of Sir CP. From that point, Shakuntala Jagannathan, his great little girl changed over this house into a historical center.


  

These are a portion of the customary musical instruments continued showcase. It appears to be, some instruments are not utilized any more. Musical instruments were frequently connected with particular social/religious services, in our way of life. The principle lobby (first picture) holds its conventional feel with a substantial wooden swing and a punkah for characteristic ventilation/breeze.

A great deal of metal/bronze items, statues and photographs are kept for presentation, in the lobby. It appears the corridor was likewise the venue of little girl's relational unions and chamber shows amid time long past times. There were three divider depictions speaking to three periods ever, from the antiquated (300 BC) till the twentieth century.



The conventional places of Tamil Nadu have an open patio in the inside (Nadumitham). Here, there is a Tusli plant (which is regularly worshiped) and the Tusli leaves are devoured alongside water, as Theertham. The Tulsi leaves have a considerable measure of restorative worth. I was additionally ready to see different sorts of lights and different handiworks in presentation. One painting kept right by this yard was 200 years of age!

Presently we go to the extensive kitchen with its countless number of vessels. As should be obvious, the majority of the vessels are substantial on the grounds that the nourishment was set up without a moment's delay for numerous families. Joint groups of those days didn't have faith in the wasteful utilization of assets, not at all like today. I saw extensive water boilers (Kodhikalan), espresso roasters, espresso channels and numerous more utensils.


 

In the principal floor, there were numerous items in wood and metal continued presentation. They incorporated some diversions (as appeared above), gems, garments and even a Thari (a man-worked machine that makes string for attire). Observe one of the rooms in the top with a support: