24th January 2020.
The visit to this rock cut cave temple at
Kurathiyarai was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay
and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development
Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th
January 2020. Our next destination after Vattakottai Fort, was to Kurathiyarai
in Azhagiapandiapuram Panchayat on Nagercoil to Kadukkarai Road. The path leading to the cave was cleared by
Panchayat board personnel, exclusively for our visit.
Kurathiyarai is a rock cut cave Temple dedicated to
Vishnu. The cave is excavated on the south side slope of the hillock. The single cave measures 0.95 meter width and 1.77 meters
high. The entrance is 80 cm width and 1.30 meter high. Two pilasters are shown
on both side of Vishnu. Vishnu is in samabhanga standing posture. The image is not finely finished. Vishnu wears Kreeta makuda, kundala ear rings,
Yagnopaveetha and vasthiram below his waist.
While the upper hands holds Conch and Chakra, the lower hands are in
ooru hastham and left hand folded. It is
believed that this rock cut cave temple belongs to early 8th Century
CE.
There are niches carved on both side of the cave.
Valampuri Vinayagar is on the left side and the right side niche a faint image
was visible. Vinayagar is in
Lalitasana. Vinayagar wears Karanda makuda, sarapalli armlets, bracelets and
a rope around his waist.
The local people worships the faint image /
unfinished as Avvaiyaramman. Tuesdays of
Tamil month Aadi is believed to be a auspicious and “kolukattai” is being
offered. It was learnt that Avvai nonbu or Avvai Vratham is also observed in
many parts of Kanyakumari District.
Before going to the Hill, had seen a Vishnu idol, installed
in open to sky in the hamlet. The Vishnu is in samabhanga standing
posture. The Upper hands are holding the
Chakra and Conch. The Chakra is shown in prayoga position. The lower left hand is in ooru hastham and
right is shown in resting on dhandam. Yagnopaveetha is shown running through
his hands.
It was told that there was a headless Vishnu and an
inscription fragment stone was found few years before. Finally we could trace
the headless Vishnu inside a bush.
Vishnu is sitting on a pedestal. Vishnu is keeping his left leg down and
folding the right leg. Yagnopaveetha is also shown beautifully.
The Inscription fragment stone is missing and
couldn’t able trace. As per the inscription, a Jain school was functioning in
this place and a land was donated to that school around 8th Century.
As per the experts, the name of this place Kurathiyarai, might have been obtained
from the Jainism, since Jain nuns are called as Kurathi.
HOW
TO REACH:
The place Kurathiyarai is in Azhagiapandiapuram Panchayat and about 2.3
KM.
Kurathiyarai is about 17 KM from Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, 32 KM from Kanyakumari, 81 KM
from Tirunelveli, 250 KM from Madurai and
800 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION OF THE CAVE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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