Chola Foundation, ASI Complete Heritage Project at Kailasanathar Temple
Kanchipuram, November 12, 2026: Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture, has completed a project to improve visitor amenities and access to information at the historic Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
The project marks the temple as the first in Tamil Nadu to be adopted under the Government of India’s Adopt a Heritage 2.0 initiative. It brings together heritage conservation, accessibility enhancements, visitor interpretation, improved amenities, landscaping and ongoing maintenance to improve the visitor experience and encourage greater appreciation of the temple’s historical and cultural significance.
Built in the early 8th century by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha, Kailasanathar Temple is among the earliest and most significant temples in Kanchipuram. The monument is known for its sandstone architecture, 58 subsidiary shrines, sculptures, surviving mural paintings and Pallava inscriptions. It is also an important landmark in the development of South Indian temple architecture.
A key component of the initiative is an Interpretation Centre designed to help visitors understand the temple’s history, architecture and cultural significance through an immersive experience. The project also aims to make the monument more accessible and improve the facilities available to visitors while supporting its preservation for future generations.
Mr. Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Chairman, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company said, “At Chola, we believe heritage preservation is most meaningful when it enables future generations to experience, understand and value what we have inherited. Kailasanathar Temple is a remarkable expression of India's architectural and cultural legacy. Through this initiative, we seek to support its preservation while making its history, architecture, and significance more accessible to every visitor. The new Interpretation Centre serves as a bridge between the monument and its visitors, bringing its rich story to life through an immersive and engaging experience."
Mr. Ravindra Kumar Kundu, MD & CEO, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company said, “Kailasanathar Temple, an extraordinary 8th century Pallava monument, represents a significant chapter in India’s architectural and cultural heritage. This initiative demonstrates how corporate participation can complement government-led conservation efforts by making heritage more accessible, engaging and meaningful to visitors. As the first completed temple project in Tamil Nadu under the Adopt a Heritage 2.0, it sets an important precedent for future public-private partnerships aimed at preserving and promoting our shared heritage for generations to come.”
The project is part of Chola’s Sanrakshanam initiative, through which the company has supported cultural restoration and the revival of traditional arts and crafts for over a decade. The collaboration with ASI reflects an effort to combine corporate participation with government-led initiatives to preserve and promote India’s cultural heritage.
