25th January 2020.
The visit to this Nandeeswarar Temple at Thirunanthikarai in Kanyakumari District 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 24th to 26th January 2020. This Nandeeswarar Cave temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).
The rock cut cave is on the southern slope of this hill, about 8 feet from the ground level. Steel steps are provided by ASI to climb up. The rock cut cave Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. The front face of the mukha mandapa was chiseled to avoid water to seep in to the cave. The Sanctum is facing east and excavated 2 steps above the arthamandapa. Shivalinga is not from the mother rock. There are two pillars and pilasters in between Mukhamandapam and Arthamandapam. The pillars are of 4 face and a 8 faces. The Pothyals are simple. The arthamandapa wall are plastered with lime mortar and painted. Most of the mural paintings are faded. A faint image of Vinayagar can be seen on the sanctum wall and Mahapurushan, elephant and Palace scene are seen on the arthamandapam wall, which faces south. It is believed that these mural paintings are similar to Chera style
.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This rock cut cave is believed to be excavated during 9th Century Aay King Vikramadiya Varaguna period in Pandya style. Inscriptions are found on the mukha mandapa, side walls and pillars.
The inscription without King’s name and year records that the public and Thaliyalwan assembled at Kurunthambakkam, decided to change the name of this place Sri Nanthimangalam with a prephery limit of a nameless river, Nandhi river, Muthukonur and Pakkamangalam.
Another inscription without kings name records that, Mangalachery Sivakaram, belongs to this place donated a land to this temple.
The Rajaraja-I’s ( 985 CE to 1014 CE ) 18th year rule inscription removes the ambiquity of Chozha King Rajaraja-Is’ birth date. As per the inscription Rajaraja-I conquered Muttam of Valluva nadu and changed the name as Mummudi Chozha Nallur. He also ordered to celebrate a festival at this place Lord Shiva on his birth date of Aippasi Sathayam.
The inscription believed to be of 12th Century, records the donation of 9 buffaloes towards burning of perpetual lamp using one uri ghee by Chithakkutti Ambi alias Ainootruva Mutharaiyan, who belongs to Veikottumalai in Nanjil Nadu. The buffaloes are handed over to the herder Mangalavan Pavithran.
HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
There are 12 Shiva Temples around Kalkulam namely, Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple, Theekuruchi Mahadevar Temple, Thirparappu Mahadevar Temple, Thirunanthikarai Sri Nandeeswarar Temple, Ponmanai Theembilangudi Mahadevar Temple, Thirupandripakam Shiva Temple, Kalkulam Neelakanda Swamy Temple, Melangode Shiva temple, Thirupandricode Mahadevar temple and Thirunattalam Sankara Narayanar Temple. On Maha Shivrathri day devotees used to run and worship all the temples shouting “E Gopala, e Gopala,.... Govinda...”. Usually the run will start from Thirumalai Mahadevar temple and finish at Nattalam Sankaranarayanar Temple, thus covering a total distance of 110 KM.
HOW TO REACH:
Thirunanthikarai is 40 KM from Nagercoil, 58 KM from Kanyakumari, 104 KM from Tirunelveli, 280 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai
Nearest Railway station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
The Cave
Painting, man, elephant, palace scene
Vinayagar painting
Inscription on the mukha mandapa side wall
Inscription on the mukha mandapa side wall
Inscription of the pillar
This is also an ancient temple, completely renovated and Kumbhabhishekam was performed on the next day of our visit
A little above the ground level there is a patham temple, open to sky. It is believed that these pathams belongs to Lord Shiva. There are 5 such patham markings are appeared on the Ulunthuparai on 30-12-2002, found out by the temple authorities.
Lord Shiva's patham markings
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
No comments:
Post a Comment