We had visited this temple earlier and were captivated by its intricate panels, although we didn’t delve too deeply into them at the time. However, when we visited again with Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan, we were absolutely mesmerized by his detailed descriptions of each panel within the temple.

Madhusudhanan also introduced us to a book by C. Minakshi, which provides a comprehensive analysis and explanations for each of the panels. Later, while discussing our travels with our neighbor, she pointed us toward another book by Dennis Hudson, which serves as a comprehensive guide to all the panels. It’s worth noting that she was part of the team that edited the book.

There is a wealth of information available about this incredible temple. I suggest doing some research online or, better yet, obtaining these books, as they are still readily available.

In essence, the entire temple can be likened to a 3D printed photo album, believed to have been constructed by Pallava King Nandhivarman II on all sides. As a fan of Christopher Nolan and his film “Inception,” I found it amusing that the temple’s last few panels depict this very temple, creating an infinite loop.

The temple is divided into three levels: the ground level where the Lord is seated, the next level where He lies in a sleeping position, and the topmost level where He stands. During our visit, we had the opportunity to explore the ground and first levels.

Dennis Hudson’s book even mentions potential similarities with Angkor Wat, which I plan to investigate when I visit Angkor.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit this temple before, I highly recommend doing so. Be sure to acquire one of these books beforehand and take it with you; you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the temple’s wonders for an entire day.

The two books I mentioned are:

1. “The Historical Sculptures of the Vaikundaperumal Temple Kanchi” by the late Dr. C. Minakshi (No. 63)
2. “The Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram” by D. Dennis Hudson