The exterior structure of Kandariya Mahadev is based on a main tower (shikhara), the temple's highest point, which symbolizes Mount Kailash, Shiva's Himalayan mountain home. This main tower is surrounded by 84 smaller spires (urushringas). The whole building is made of sandstone, with a granite foundation. No mortar was used in the temple's construction: the stones were connected with mortise and tenon joints, held in place by gravity. The columns and architraves are composed of megaliths weighing up to 20 tons.