Kailasanathar

Kailasanathar is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva, meaning "Lord of Kailasa," with Kailasa referring to the mythic abode of Shiva on Mount Kailash. The name is used in devotional literature and temple contexts to designate forms of Shiva revered as Kailasanathar, typically represented in sanctums by a Shivalinga and Shaivite iconography.

The Kailasanathar form is most closely associated with the Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) in the 7th century CE. This temple is among the oldest surviving architectural complexes in the region and is noted for its sandstone relief panels depicting deities, mythological episodes, and other symbolic scenes, as well as its compact, enclosed plan.

A parallel landmark is the Kailasa temple (Kailasanath Temple) at Ellora in Maharashtra, a colossal monolithic rock-cut temple dating to the 8th century, attributed to the Rashtrakuta dynasty. It is dedicated to Shiva in the Kailasanathar form and is celebrated for its engineering scale and sculptural detail carved from a single rock.

In worship, Kailasanathar temples host daily pujas to the Lingam and observe major Shaivite festivals such as Maha Shivaratri. The epithet appears in temple inscriptions and hymnography across the Shaivite tradition.