The temple of Kailasanathar is a temple dedicated to Shiva and considered to be the most beautiful temple of town of Kanchipuram. This temple was built at the 7th century on the initiative of the king Pallava Simhavishnu then finished under the reign of his/her son Mahendravarman I.

The external walls are covered with sculptures and certain fragments of the frescos which decorated the niches are still visible and testify to last splendor. It is in addition the only temple of the city to be saved by the more recent architectural additions. Located outside the city, its calm environment strongly contrasts with the agitation of the crowd of the downtown area.