....a Continuation post to Mandakapattu Rock Cut Cave Temple
23rd July 2017.
This
is the second masonry temple built after the Mahabalipuram shore temple, during the 8th century
by Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimhan (706 to 722 CE), on this small
hill. Steps are built for some stretch and in some stretch, chiseled on the
rock itself. The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI).
Moolavar
: Sri Talagiresvara
Consort
: Sri Ashtatalambigai
Some
of the salient features of this temple are...
At
the entrance of the hill, a Vinayagar temple with a relief on the boulder. Durgai
is in a small cave on the left side of the base (Durgai is with Ashtabhuja holding Thandas, bow, Sangu, shield, Kadi hastam, Chakra, Sword, and kadaka
mudra). The temple faces east with
Rishabam and Balipeedam. There are 3 koshtams in which 8 faces of Dara Linga are
installed. Moolavar is also Dara lingam with 16 faces. Somaskandar relief is on
the back side of the sanctum wall. In the artha mandapa,m reliefs of Mahavishnu with
Lakshmi on the right and Brahma with Saraswati are on the left. Lime mortar is
applied to the images.
In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Navagrahas,
Bairavar, Saniswaran, Suryan, Chandran, and Ambal face south.
In kostam
Brahma with Saraswati
Vishnu with Lakshmi
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was constructed with a sanctum, an ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The
sanctum vimana is of 3 tiers, and lime mortar is applied on the images. The last two tiers are constructed at a later period.
On
the right side of koshtam, the stone wall was plastered with lime mortar, and
Shiva’s oozhi koothu dance was painted (the same is in the form of a stucco
image at Kanchi Sri Kailasanathar Temple), and the right wall has the
painting of Parvati looking at the dance of Shiva. It will be very difficult to
trace now, almost in faded condition.
Adhistanam
Parvati is watching Lord Shiva’s Dance
Shiva’s hands can be seen
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This
is the second masonry temple built after the Mahabalipuram shore temple, during the 8th century
by Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimhan (706 to 722 CE), on this small
hill.
The Pallava King Narasimhavarman’s reign Pallava Grantha
inscription (SII Vol 12- 29 - 30 &
Pallava Inscriptions 62 & 63), on the
north west and south bases of the Taļapuriśvara temple on the hill, starts with
the origin of the Pallava family, which is narrated: Drauņi's son was
Aśvatthāman; his son was Pallava, and from him came the great family of the
Pallavas. The Pallavas were emperors, had their origin in the highly pure
family of Bhāradvāja, and shone by the baths which concluded the performance of
the Asvamedha. From Ēkamalla, an ornament of this family was born, as Guha from
the great Iśvara, Rājasimha, a royal lion to the elephants of daring, hostile
kings.
Narasimhavaraman-II’s
titles are Rajasimhan, Ranajayan, Sribara, Chitrakarmukha, Eka vira, and Siva
Soodamani. Also mentions that Pallavas are the descendants of Bhardwaj and
Aswathaman. Rājasimha is praised as the
conqueror of crowds of hostile kings, the performer of many auspicious acts,
and as one in whose mind Mrigāńkamauļi (Siva) rested his foot. The tree of
Dharma is said to have flourished in his rule, though scorched by the cruel Sun
of the Kali age.
This incomplete inscription (SII Volume – XII, No 29, AR No 616 of 1915), on the
North, West, and south bases of Talapurisvara Temple, records in florid
Pallava-Grantha characters gives the prasasti of King Rājasimha, son of
Ekamalla i.e. Paramēśvara L. From the existence of this inscription and of
another consisting of a single Sanskrit verse which is identical with the last
verse of the Kailasanātha inscription of Rajasimha (South Indian Inscriptions,
Vol. I, No. 24) and with the 3rd verse of the Shore Temple inscription of the
same king at Mahabalipuram (No. 28 above), it may be presumed that the temple
of Tāļapurīśvara was constructed during his reign. A photo-litho of this record
is in the Epigraphical Report for 1916, facing page 114. Given. Published in Epigraphia India Volume XIX, pages 113 and 114, No. 30.
The 18th-century Arcot Nawab Saddath Ullah Khan's inscription records the excavation of a pond on this hill to get rid of the sin caused by the killing of Rajadesingh. The inscription records as “Svasthisri Sriman Maha Mandaleswara Rajathiraja Rajaparameswara Rajamarthanda Nawab Sadhat Ullah Khan
Saibu… ". The inscription is on the pillar next to Vinayagar Sculpture.
Ref:
1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume XII, Nos. 29 and 30.
2. South Indian Inscriptions Volume-1
3. ARE, 1915, no. 616;
4. Ibid., 114, para. 5 and Plate;
5. El, xix, no. 18-B, 109-15;
6. Sewell's List of Antiquities, i, 29;
7. Gazetteer of South Arcot District, 385;
8. TASSI, 1962, 42-3.
9. The inscriptions of the Pallavas, by T V Mahalingam
Narasimhavarman II’s reign
inscription, on the side of a small cavern containing an image of Kali
(Mahişāsuramardani) at the foot of the hill. This is a benedictory verse on
Rājasimha, wishing him to protect the earth for a long time. The king bore the
epithets Ranajaya, Śrıbhara, Citrakar-muka, Ekavtra, and Sivacüdämani.
१. राजसिंहो रणजयः
२. श्रीभरश्चित्रकार्मुक [*]-
३. कवीरश्चिरम्पातु शि-
४. वचूडामणिम्महीम् [।।*]
References
The inscriptions of the Pallavas, by T V Mahalingam
POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on pradosam,
Pournami, Maha Shivaratri, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Thai Kanum Pongal (Utsavar
will be taken in procession to 7 Villages), etc.
The annual festival is celebrated on Chithirai 1st day
CONTACT DETAILS
Kasi
Sivachariyar may be contacted on his mobile +918056863301.
HOW TO REACH
Panamalai
is about 21 km from Gingee
Since
there is no proper bus service, you can hire a Taxi from Gingee or Viluppuram
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Jyeshta Devi is on the right
.... to be continued Rock Paintings in the
prehistoric shelters between Villupuram to Thirukovilur.
--OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Very useful. Thank you.
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