A ROCK CUT CAVE TEMPLE / VISHNU CAVE TEMPLE AT KURATHIYARAI (குறத்தியறை ), MADAVILAGAM, NEAR AZHAGIAPANDIPURAM, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

24^th January 2020.

The visit to this rock cut cave temple at Kurathiyarai was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24^th to 26^th January 2020. Our next destination after Vattakottai Fort, was to Kurathiyarai in Azhagiapandipuram Panchayat on Nagercoil to Kadukkarai Road.  The path leading to the cave was cleared by Panchat board personnel, exclusively for our visit.

Kurathiyarai is a rock cut cave Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The cave is excavated on the south side slope of the hillock.  The single  cave measures 0.95 meter width and 1.77 meters high. The entrance is 80 cm width and 1.30 meter high. Two pilasters are shown on both side of Vishnu. Vishnu is in samabhanga standing posture.  The image is not finely finished. Vishnu  wears Kreeta makuda, kundala ear rings, Yagnopavithra and vasthiram below his waist.  While the upper hands holds Conch and Chakra, the lower hands are in ooru hastham and left hand folded.  It is believed that this rock cut cave temple belongs to early 8^th Century CE.

There are niches carved on both side of the cave. Valampuri Vinayagar is on the left side and the right side niche a faint image was visible.  Vinayagar is in Lalithasana. Vinayagar wears Karanda makuda , sarapalli armlets, bracelets and a rope around his waist.

The local people worships the faint image / unfinished  as Avvaiyaramman. Tuesdays of Tamil month Adi is believed to be a auspicious and “kolukattai” is being offered. It was learnt that Avvai nonbu or Avvai Vratham is also observed in many parts of Kanyakumari District.

Before going to the Hill, had seen a Vishnu idol, installed in open to sky in the hamlet. The Vishnu is in samabhanga standing posture.  The Upper hands are holding the Chakra and Conch. The Chakra is shown in prayoga posttion.  The lower left hand is in ooru hastham and right is shown in resting on dhandam. Yagnopavithra is shown running through his hands.

  

It was told that there was a headless Vishnu and an inscription fragment stone was found few years before. Finally we could trace the headless Vishnu  inside a bush. Vishnu is sitting on a pedestal. Vishnu is keeping his left leg down and folding the right leg. Yagnopavithra is also shown beautifully.

The Inscription fragment stone is missing and couldn’t able trace. As per the inscription, a Jain school was functioning in this place and a land was donated to that school around 8^th Century. As per the experts, the name of this place Kurathiyarai, might have been obtained from the Jainism, since Jain nuns are called as Kurathi.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kurathiyarai is  in Azhagiapandipuram Panchayat and about 2.3 KM.

Kurathiyarai is about 17 KM from Nagercoil,  Kanyakumari, 32 KM from Kanyakumari, 81 KM from Tirunelveli, 250 KM from Madurai and  800 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---