The Kailasanathar Temple was built by the Pallava king Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II), who ruled from 685 to 705 CE. The temple's construction marked the culmination of Pallava architectural evolution, which began with the rock-cut cave temples of the 6th century (like Mamallapuram's rathas) and reached its structural peak here. The temple was originally called 'Rajasimha Pallaveswaram' after its builder. Rajasimha is believed to have personally supervised the temple's construction and even composed the Sanskrit inscriptions that adorn its walls.
The temple survived the rise and fall of the Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, and Nayak empires largely intact because it was built on the outskirts of Kanchipuram, away from the city center where subsequent rulers focused their building activities. In the 19th century, the temple was documented by British archaeologists and underwent restoration. The ASI has maintained the temple since the early 20th century, though regular worship continues within the main sanctum.
