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

This second visit to this Sri Kanniraintha Perumal Rock Cut Cave Temple, at Malayadipatti Rock cut cave temples was a part of the Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2^nd and 3^rd, October 2021.  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.

PC. Yaaooyakay

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.

ARCHITECTURE

In the sanctum, Varakar and Narasimhar are in the koshtam/ niche, sculptured out of mother rock sitting in sukhasana. Perumal is 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 posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. On the south side wall, Narasimhar and Varakar The mandapam has three entrances, separated by 2 virudha pillars.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The rock-cut cave has 10 inscriptions ( Tamil, Telugu, and Grantham), which include Rajakesari Varman (Sundara Chozha), Parakesarivarman (Uthama Chozha), Veera Prathapa maharayar, Achuthappa Nayakar. 

The oldest inscription, during  Rajakesarivarman’s 7th-year rule, records the temple’s name as “Olipathi Vishu Gruham” and the place as Thiruvalathur. Achuthappa Nayak period inscription mentions the moolavar as “Kanniraintha Perumal / Thiru Vaazhavantha Perumal”.  

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

One of the Araiyar of Sella Pokkan Puththiran Mangan Thenkondan established the shrine for Nachiyar. 

HOW TO REACH:

Malayadipatti village is on the Keeranur to Killukottai Road and 17 KM from Keeranur, 36 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 46 KM from Pudukkottai, and 354 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PC.. Yaaooyakay

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---