Mandagapattu, The first Rock Cut Cave Temple, Madagapattu, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

23^rd July 2017.

This is a 7th-century Pallava-period first rock-cut cave temple (before Mahabalipuram) by the king Mahendravarman-I, dedicated to Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu on a 100-foot hill rock.

ARCHITECTURE

3 cells with 4 pillars and 8 pilasters. The pillars and capital are big in size, with square and octagonal forms at the center, without any ornamental carvings. It was said that Moolavars were installed on pedestals made out of wood. The standing posture of the two dwarapalakas or the door Guardians is not identical.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Mahendravarman’s reign Pallava Grantha inscription (ARE, 1905, no. 56; El, xvii, no. 5 and Plate; SII, xii, no. 12), on a pillar in the mandapa of the rock-cut cave in a small hill, states that the brickless, timberless, metalless, and mortarless temple, which is a mansion for the (gods) Brahma, Iśvara, and Vişņu, was caused to be made by the king Vicitra-cita. 

१. एतदनिष्टकमद्द्रुम [मलो]-
२. हमसुषं [विचित्रचि] त्तेन [।*]
३. निर्मापितन्नृपे [ण] ब्रह्म-
४. श्वरविष्णुल [क्षि] तायतनम् [।।*]

ஏதத் அனிஷ்டகம் அத்ருமம் அலோஹம் அசுதம்

விசித்ரசித்தேன நிர்மாபிதம் ந்ருபேன
ப்ரஹ்மேஸ்வர விஷ்ணு லக்ஷிதாயதனம்

அதாவது,

செங்கல் இல்லாமல், மரம் இல்லாமல், உலோகம் இல்லாமல், சுதை இல்லாமல், பிரம்மா, ஈஸ்வரன், விஷ்ணுவுக்காகவென்று இந்தக் கோவில் விசித்திரசித்தனால் கட்டுவிக்கப்பட்டது.

References:
1. ARE, 1905, no. 56; El, xvii, no. 5 and Plate; SII, xii, no. 12; Cave Temples of the Pallavas, 47ff.'The Royal Artist Mahendra-varman I', JOR, vii, 2f.

2. Inscriptions of the Pallavas, by T V Mahalingam

LEGENDS

It was also said that during the Jains’ time at the peak, this mandapam was utilized for the teaching of Sallekhana (liberating the soul without taking food) to the ladies.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE: CLICK HERE

.... to be continued, Panamalai Sri Talagirisvara temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---