Pandya’s Rock Cut Cave Temple / பாண்டியர் கீழ் குடைவரை கோவில், Rock fort, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Pandya Rock Cut Cave Shrine or the Lower cave at Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort was a part of structural and Rock Cut cave  Shiva and Vishnu temples visit in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai and Sivagangai Districts, on 21^st November 2021. This bottom cave temple was excavated on the southern side of the Rock fort hill, is about 100 meters from the, steps leading to the top of the hill. The path leads to the Rock cut cave is completely encroached.

ARCHITECTURE

The pillars starts with square base, after that it changed octagonal. The Pillars consists of malai thongal, thamaraikattu, Kalasam, thaadi, Kudam / Kumbha and Pothyal ( curved without Tharangam ). 4 such pillars and 2 pilasters are at the entrance of the Cave. 23 Bhuta ganas are in the valapi of the entrance to the cave, of which 6 are incomplete. The Rock cut cave is in rectangular shape with two shrines on the east and west side. Both shrines are with sanctum sanctorum and a mandapam, supported with two pillars and 2 pilasters.  

The eastern shrine is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu in the form of bas-relief. Maha Vishnu is with 4 hands. The Upper hands holds Changu / Conch and Chakra, The chakra is prayoga posture. Lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is in kadi hastam. He wears ornaments in his ears, neck and hands. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides of Maha Vishnu. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Shrine. Both Dwarapalakas are in different postures. The left side dwarapalaka keeps his left foot on a bhuta gana.

The western side is empty. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the shrine.  Both are with unique postures and holding thandam with snake coiled around it. The dwarapalakas are with Karanda maguda and wears ornaments.  

The northern wall is divided in to 5 niches which consists of Ganesh, Murugan, Brahma, Surya and Durga.  

Vinayagar…. The Vinayagar is in standing posture Vinayagar’s tusk is found broken. He wears ornament like Sarapalli, yagnopaveetha. The legs are not proportionate compared to the body. This Vinayagar is unique since, this Vinayagar is the only sculpture available in Rock cut Caves of Tamil Nadu. Two attendants or  Devotees are on both side of Vinayagar.

Murugan…. Murugan is in standing posture with Maguda. The upper hands didn’t holds any weapons, lower right hand is found  broken and left hand is kadi hastam. Two Vidyadharas are on the top and two devotees are on the bottom.

Brahma…. Brahma is with Maguda and 4 hands. While the upper hands are holding  akkamala and Kendi, the lower right hand is in Kadaka mudra facing upward direction and left hand is in Kadi hastam. 3 faces are carved clearly. Two Vidyadharas are shown on the top and two saints are shown at the bottom. Brahma wears, yagnopaveetham, sarapalli and bangles.

Surya…  This is the biggest Suryan bas-relief available in a Rock cut Cave.  Surya is with 4 hands. While the upper hands holds akkamalai and Lotus flower, the lower right hand is in broken condition and left hand is in kadi hastam.  He is with Karanda magudam and wears pathra kundalam, muthu mala, sarapalli, Yagnopaveetham. Suryan / sun / olivattam is shown on the back of his head. Two Vidyadharas are in flying posture on the top and devotees are shown by the side of his leg in Garudasana.

Kotravai…. The last panel is Kotravai. Legs are unfinished. She is with 4 hands, while the upper hands holds a mirror like object, upper left hand in not sculpted, the lower right hand is in kataka mudra and left hand is in kadi hastam. Two Vidyadharas are on the top and sculptures of Arikandam and Navakanda by her devotees are shown below.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), this cave is assignable to Pandya Period, ie 8^th Century CE.  Even though this Rock cut cave is excavated very much similar to the Pallava / Mutharaiyar style and architecture, this was called as Pandya Rock cut cave. Experts Couldn’t come to a final conclusion, who had done this. One of the reason being that the Shiva Linga will be scooped out of mother rock in Pandyas and Mutharaiyar’s Rock Cut caves. But in this cave it is not so. The Pillars are also very, much similar to Pallava’s style. Considering these facts Dr Kalaikovan, of the opinion that this rock cut cave may belongs to Pallava Period and also he strongly believes that, it might have been excavated after Rajasimha Pallava. If, so, this Rock cut cave may belongs to 7^th Century.    

There were 5 inscriptions on the front pillars. These inscriptions belongs to 10^th Century and latter periods. These are not inscribed after the cave was excavated. The first inscription records as. .. "Chozha kulathilaka perudhasa…" the second one as…"Ithu akka mala.." Third one as… "ithu thirutha thiru…" Fourth one as…. "Ithu thiruthan kooru,…" and the last one as….  "Arulalan".

HOW TO REACH

This cave is on the ground level, few yards from the HR & CE Office. 

This Rock Cut Cave is about 2.2 KM from Chatram Bus Stand, 6 KM from Central Bus Stand and Trichy Railway Junction, 324 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu

Maha Vishnu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---