The visit to this 6th to 8th Century Rock cut cave Temple was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples / Rock cut Cave temples of Andhra Pradesh Visit”, on 24th June 25th June 2023.
This rock cut cave temple complex consists of more than 8 cave temples, excavated on the Ambavaram Nallamalai, a part of eastern Ghats in Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh. Each Rock Cut cave temple consists of A Shiva Lingam, Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar and Rishabam are excavated from the mother rock. Some Caves, has the images of Maha Vishnu, Brahma next to Dwarapalakas and for some caves Squatting lion pillars which supports the mukha mandapam.
The main 8 Rock cut cave temples are called as Ashta kala Prachanda Bhairava Lingam, Paksha Gatha Lingam, Sreesaila Mallikarjuna Lingam, Sri Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam, Rameshwara Lingam, Kasi Visweshvara Lingam, Rudra Lingam, Shashi Nagalingam, Nagareshwara Lingam, Maha Kala Bhairavar and some small caves are also excavated similar to larger ones.
Even-though these caves are excavated with dwarapalakas, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar, they are not similar. In all cave shrines Chandikeswarars are sitting in lalithasana posture. Each one is unique in head decoration, dress, ornaments, weapons, the style of standing / sitting postures. All the Vinayagars are without Vahanas and some Vinayagars are holding Mullangi / radish. All the Dwarapalakas are standing in three banga posture and some of them are with horns. In addition to the caves with Dwarapalakas, smaller in size and Shiva Lingas are also excavated on many places. Vyagrapada and Elephants worshipping Shiva, bas relief is on the naha Kala Bairavar sannidhi
Hariharan and Natarajar Panels...
In Hariharan Panel.... In this Haraihara, is shown with 8 hands, On Haran / Shiva side, Shiva is holding Trishul, Parasu, accamala and lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam. The third eye is shown on the forehead. On Maha Vishnu / Hari side, Vishnu is holding Chankhu, chakra, gatha or sword and lower left hand is in Kadi hastam.
In Natarajar Panel... Shiva is with different dance posture with 8 hands. Holding Trishul, Parasu, Damaru, Nagar/ snake, Dwajathandam, Kati hastam and lower hands are in Abhaya hastam and kati hastam.
Sri Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam Cave shrine...
In this Cave temple, on the back side wall has the three mukha image. They are decorated like female deities and called as Kali, Parvati and Maha lakshmi. Actually they signifies the three faces of Shiva ie Tatpurusham, Vamadevam and Agora faces. In the centre image has the third eye on the forehead, Snake and Pasam. This is very much similar to the Rashtrakuta sculptures of Elephenta and Ellora Caves. The Dwarapalaka’s hands are on the gatha and one of the Dwarapalaka is shown with horn. There is no rishabam in front of this cave.
Rudra lingam Cave Shrine.. The Shiva Lingam is little tall on a square avudayar. In place of Dwarapalakas, Brahma is shown on the left and Maha Vishnu is on the right. Rishabam, Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar are not there in this cave.
Shashi Nagalingam Cave Shrine ... The Shiva Lingam is on a round Avudayar and a Rishabam is in front of the cave temple. Brahma and Maha Vishnu are shown on both side of the cave along with dwarapalakas. Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar are on both side of the cave entrance.
Sreesaila Mallikarjuna Lingam Cave Shrine.... This cave is excavated with a mukha mandapam supported by two numbers of square and octagonal pillars with plain round pothyal. A squatting lion is shown on the Capital /pothyal. Brahma and Maha Vishnu are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Naga vakratham is shown on the pillars. Bhuta ganas are shown on the lintel of the mukha mandapam.
Nagareshwara Lingam cave Shrine.... This Cave temple is just above the Sri Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam Cave Shrine. The Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is on a round avudayar excavated from the mother rock. The Cave is excavated with mukha mandapam supported with two numbers of square pillars with kudam and round pothyal / capital.
Kasi Viswanatha Lingam Cave Shrine.... in this cave shrine Moolavar is on a Round Avudayar. Dwarapalakas are shown on both side of the entrance. The rishabam is in damaged condition. Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar are not excavated to this cave Shrine.
Paksha Gatha Lingam Cave Shrine... This shrine is excavated with Mukha mandapam supported by the two numbers of squatting Lion Pillars and two pilasters. The tongue of the lions are protruding out. The Pillars are octagonal and square with malai thongal, kudam and round pothyals. Bhogi Bhairavars are on the Pothyal. Bhuta ganas, macha kanni and Macha Purusha are in the Valapi. In kapotam Chandra mandalam, Nasi kudus with Gandharva nagas with hoods are shown on the back side of the head. Above the Kapotam, pair of lions facing each other. Vinayagar and Chandikeswara are on the side of this cave.
Ashta kala Prachanda Bhairava Lingam Cave shrine ... In this cave shrine moolavar is on a square avudayar. The Cave is excavated with a mukha mandapam supported with two Squatting Lion pillars and two pilasters. The pillars are octagonal and square. Malai thongal, kudam and round pothyal are shown. The prastaram consists of Valapi with Bhuta Ganas, kapotam with Chandara mandalam and nasi kudus. Gandharvas are in the Nasu kudus. Brahma and Maha Vishnu are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum along with Dwarapalakas. Maha Vishnu is holding a gatha on the lower right hand. Vinayagar and Chandikeswara are on the side of this cave. The Rishabam is in damaged condition.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Pallava Grantha and Telugu inscriptions are founds on the lintel portion of two cave shrines. The Rock Cut Cave shrine may belongs to 6th to 8th Century CE. Since the iconography of the sculptures is in combination of Chalukyas, Rashtakutas and Pallavas, it will be very difficult to conclude, during whose period these rock cut Caves shrines are excavated.
HOW TO REACH
The Rock Cut Cave Temple is about 5 KM from Kothapalli on CS Puram Road. 6 KM from Ambavaram, 12 KM from DG Peta, 43 KM from Udayagiri, 122 KM from Kadapa and 136 KM from Nellore.
From Udayagiri, this place can be reached through Auto.
There is no Railway Station nearer to this Cave Temple.
LOCATION OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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