Kailasanath

Kailasanath is a Sanskrit name meaning “Lord of Kailasa,” referring to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god traditionally believed to reside on Mount Kailasa. As an epithet, Kailasanath (or Kailasanathar) is used in devotional contexts and appears in temple inscriptions and iconography dedicated to Shiva.

In Hinduism, Kailasanath is associated with Shiva as a sovereign, ascetic deity who embodies the cosmic abode of Kailasa. The form is commemorated in temple worship and in sculptures and reliefs that depict stories from Hindu mythology, emphasizing Shiva’s role as a supreme yogi and protector.

The best-known temple linked to this name is the Kailasanath Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Built in the late 7th to early 8th century CE under the Pallava dynasty, notably during the reign of Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), it is an early example of Dravidian architecture. The temple enshrines a sanctum devoted to Shiva as Kailasanathar and features numerous reliefs on its exterior walls illustrating mythological scenes.

Beyond religious usage, Kailasanath is used as a given name or surname in parts of India, particularly among Tamil-speaking communities. It may appear in longer names such as Kailasanathan or Kailasanathar.

See also Kailasanath Temple, Kanchipuram.