[1] It reflects a Dravidian architecture and was built around 700 CE by Narasimhavarman II with additions by Mahendravarman III.

[2] The Kailasanathar temple is notable for its intricately carved galaxy of Hindu art in the late 7th- and early 8th-century Tamil tradition.

These largely relate to Shaivism, yet also include significant number of themes from Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Vedic deities.

[citation needed] The Kailasanathar Temple (meaning: "Lord of Kailasa"), is built in the tradition of Smartha worship of Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya (Sun), Ganesha and Kartikeya, in Hinduism.

Prior temples were either built of wood or hewn into rock faces in caves or on boulders, as seen in Mahabalipuram.

[citation needed] According to local belief, the temple was a safe sanctuary for the rulers of the kingdom during wars.

[13] The temple has retained the Pallava architecture in its original stylized form with influence of the later styles developed by the Chola Dynasty and Vijayanagara Emperors.

[citation needed][14] The temple complex is complete in all respects as it has garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum), antarala (inner enclosure), mandapa, a high compound wall, and an entrance gate, the gopuram.

[13] The mandapa, which was initially detached, was made part of the main shrine by interposing an ardhamantapa (smaller hall).

The vimana of the temple, above the main shrine (sanctum sanctorum), is square in plan and rises up in a pyramidal shape.

The pillar elements with mythical animal shapes (lions on the base) are extra features in Pallava style.

At some later stage, the mandapa and the sanctuary were joined by an intermediate hall called the ardhamantapa, which is reported to have marred the beauty of the temple to some extent.

The exterior faces of the vimana (tower) have images of aspects of Shiva - Bhikshatana, Somaskanda and in Samhara-Tandava (destructive dancing) pose.

In the inner walls of the prakara (circumambulatory passage) there is galaxy of images of Durga, Kartikeya, Bhavati, Tripurantaka, Garudarudha-Vishnu, Asura Samhara (slaying of demons), Narasimha (Vishnu's avatar), Trivikrama (another Vishnu's avatar), Shiva Tandava (Shiva in a dancing pose), Shiva severing the fifth head of Brahma, desecration of Yagna of Daksha, Brahma and his wife, Gangadhara, Urdhava tandava, Vishnu flanked by Bhudevi and Sridevi, Lingodbhava, Bhikshatana, Ravana, and Vali offering prayers to Atmalinga Chandikeshvara.

[citation needed]There are two sculptures of Shiva here which are seen holding the alapini veena (musical string instrument) in the hand.

The temple also has the earliest stone inscription which records of the twenty eight Saivagamas (Shaiva saints) in which the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman states his faith in Shaivism.