Sri Vakiswarar Rock Cut Cave Temple, Malayadipatti, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

This second visit to this Sri Vakiswarar 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. This cave temple is on the east side of the Vishnu Rock cut cave temple, also called Thiruvalathur Thali.

Moolavar  : Sri Vakiswarar / Sri Alathurai mahadevar.  

Consort    : Sri Vadivudai Nayaki.

Some of the important features of this cave temple are...

The Moolavar is in a rock-cut sanctum facing west with a Nandhi in front ( integral stone of the hill ). Moolavar is 45 cm tall on a 35 cm tall round avudayar. On the south wall saptamatrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar. On the west wall from south to north, sculptures of Murugan, Sankaranarayanan, and Kotravai are in the form of bas-reliefs. On the north wall, Chandikeswarar faces south. Dwarapalakas are not identical in standing posture at the entrance of the sanctum Sanctorum. The Mandapam adjoining the cave was built later.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are 6 inscriptions found in the rock-cut cave temple. As per the inscription, the rock-cut cave was excavated during the 16^th year rule (812 CE) of Dhanthi Varman-II, by Videlvidugu Muththaraiyar Kuvavan Saththan. The Place was called Thiruvalathur. The inscription also mentions Kizh Senkali Nadu Nattar, which is incomplete. The temple also has the Rajendran-I and Kulothungan-I & III, Veera Rajendran period inscriptions. These inscriptions record the donation of Land towards the functioning of Pooja, the burning of lamps, etc,.

One of the inscriptions narrates the story of a Devaradiyar ( inscription says – தேவடியாள் )of Thirunedungulam ( Female ). The Devaradiyar was in an affair with Avudaydevar of Poochikudi. In addition to that a Brahmin also affair with the Devaradiyar. When Avudaydevar came to know about this, he killed both Devaradiyar and the Brahmin. Due to this he lost his eyesight and came to Malayadipatti. He prayed to Lord Shiva to gift a portion of land and got back his eyesight. So he gifted a portion of land to Lord Shiva of this temple. 

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

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---