Sri Kanniraintha Perumal Temple / Olipathi Vishnu Graham, Malayadipatti, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th September 2018.

The hill is not so big and has two rock-cut caves dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The caves are excavated on the north side of the hill. Being a Saturday, there was a heavy rush in the Perumal rock-cut cave temple, and serpentine “Q” was formed for the darshan.

Moolavar : Sri Kanniraintha Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the important features are...

The sanctum sanctorum has an entrance arch on the North side Thayar and Madapalli are after the entrance arch. Thayar is in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastham. Thayar sannidhi was built at a later date ( Subakiruthu year Aippasi month 10^th day ). Deepasthambham and Garudan are in front of the Thayar shrine. Also sannadhi for Thirumangai Alwar, Udayar, and Vishwaksena. Vinayagar is in Maharjaleelasana on the outer prakaram wall.

In the sanctum, Varakar and Narasimhar are in the koshtam/ niche. Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi,  Garudan, Devas, and Chandran are shown on the east wall. A double layer of Paintings of Balarama, Vamanar, Krishna, and Rama are shown on the ceiling. Recent period painting may be seen over the Nayak period painting. Moolavar Perumal is in reclining posture on 5 hoods Adhiseshan on a 4.37 meters and 2.17 meters platform keeping head on the east side. On the west side wall Madhu and Kaidabar. On the south wall,  Musicians, Brahma, and Devas are shown. In front of moolavar statue of Lakshmi Narayanar.

In Mandapam, there are statues for Perumal in standing posture with Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Suryan, and Chandran.  Next is Perumal in Utkudi Asana tyle Sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. On the south side wall, Narasimhar and Varakar The mandapam has three entrances.

The rock-cut cave has 10 inscriptions ( Tamil, Telegu, and Grantham), which include Rajakesari Varman ( Sundara Chozha ), Parakesarivarman ( Uthama Chozha ), Veera Prathapa Maharayar, Achuthappa Nayakar. This rock-cut cave Vishnu temple was believed to have been excavated in the 9^th Century. The oldest inscription,  in Rajakesarivarman’s 7^th year of rule, says that the temple’s name is Olipathi Vishu Gruham and the place is Thiruvalathur.

Achuthappa Nayak period mentions the moolavar as Kanniraintha Perumal / Thiru Vaazhavantha Perumal.  

The inscriptions also speak about the donation of land, to convert forest land into fertile land, and the donation of Goats for burning perpetual lamps.

HOW TO REACH:

Malayadipatti village is on the Keeranur to Killukkottai Road and 17 KM from Keeranur.

LOCATION OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---