Thiruparankundram - a Pandiya period Rock Cut Cave Temple on the back side of Thiruparankundram Shiva / Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu.

 22^nd April, 2015

Continuation to the earlier post ( CLICK HERE to see the details )

The Cave temple is just the back side of the Thiruparankundram  Sri Murugan/ Shiva Temple. After the darshan of Lord Shiva tried to get an auto near the temple. Since there was no vehicle or minibus available at that time, started walking up to the cave. I was shocked to see the damages done to the sculptures during Jain – Brahmical conflict. Now the site is under the control of ASI.

 Pandya Period Cave Temple 

The rock-cut temple is from the early Pandya period and is used in medieval times. It also suffered damage during this stage. This cave temple is datable back to the 8^th century AD. The temple comprises a Sanctum for Arthanareeswarar and a Hall. In Hall A Natarajar is standing Posture. ( below the chest was completely damaged ). On the right Sri Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar. On the right side wall inscriptions are found.

In the front Ganesha on the left and Bhairavar on the right. Jain monk's reliefs are also chiseled during the Jain period.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:   CLICK HERE

 The view of the Thiruparankundram Hill 

 Entrance steps to cave temple

 Ganapathy on the left and Saints on the right

 Epigraph 

 Epigraph 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar 

Natarajar – Murgan on the peacock and Ganapathy on the top – The maximum extent of vandalism – below the chest of Natarajar was chopped off. 

 Arthanareeswarar inside the sanctum 

 Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Appar Swamigal

 Bairavar

 Saints/monks

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---