Sri Kanniraintha Perumal Temple / Olipathi Vishnu Graham, Malayadipatti, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

This second visit to this Sri Kanniraintha Perumal Rock Cut Cave Temple, at Malayadipatti Rock cut cave temples was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2^nd and 3^rd, October 2021.  The hill is not so big and has two rock cut caves dedicated  to Shiva and Vishnu. The caves are excavated on the north side of the hill. Being a Saturday, there was a heavy rush in the Perumal rock cut cave temple and serpentine “Q” was formed for the dharshan.

PC. Yaaooyakay

Moolavar : Sri Kanniraintha Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the important features are...

The sanctum sanctorum has an entrance arch on the North side Thayar and madapalli are after the entrance arch. Thayar is in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastham. Thayar sannidhi was built at a latter date ( Subakiruthu year Aippasi month 10^th day ). Deepasthambham and Garudan are in front of thayar shrine. Also sannadhi for Thirumangai alwar, Udayar and Vishwaksena. Vinayagar is in Maharjaleelasana on the outer prakaram wall.

ARCHITECTURE

In the sanctum, Varakar and Narasimhar are in the koshtam/ niche, sculptured out of mother rock sitting in sukhasana. Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Garudan, Devas and Chandran are shown on the east wall. A double layer Paintings of Balarama, Vamanar, Krishna and Rama are shown  on the ceiling. Recent period painting may be seen over the Nayak period painting. Moolavar Perumal is in reclining posture on 5 hood Adhiseshan on a 4.37 meters and 2.17 meters platform keeping head on east side. On west side wall Madhu and Kaidabar. On the south wall,  Musicians, Brahma and Devas  are shown. In front of moolavar statue of Lakshmi Narayanar.

In Mandapam there are statues for Perumal is in standing posture with Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Suryan and Chandran.  Next is Perumal in utkudi asana posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. On the south side wall Narasimhar and Varakar The mandapam has three entrances, separated by 2 virudha pillars.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The rock cut cave has 10 inscriptions ( Tamil, Telugu and Grantham), which includes Rajakesari varman ( Sundara Chozha ), Parakesarivarman ( Uthama Chozha ), Veera Prathapa maharayar, Achuthappa Nayar. This rock cut cave Vishnu temple was believed to be excavated / scooped in 9^th Century.

The oldest inscription, during  Rajakesarivarman’s 7^th year rule, records the the temple’s name as “Olipathi Vishu Gruham” and the place as Thiruvalathur. Achuthappa Nayak period inscription mentions the moolavar as “Kanniraintha Perumal / Thiru Vaazhavantha Perumal”.  

The inscriptions also records about donation of land, to convert forest land in to fertile land, donation of Goats for burning perpetual lamp.

One of the Araiyar of Sella Pokkan puththiran mangan thenkondan established the shrine for Nachiyar. 

HOW TO REACH:

Malayadipatti village is on the Keeranur to Killukottai Road and 17 KM from Keeranur, 36 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 46 KM from Pudukkottai and 354 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PC.. Yaaooyakay

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---