Pallava's ( Pandya’s ) Rock Cut Cave Temple / பாண்டியர் கீழ் குடைவரை கோவில், Rock fort, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Pallava's (Pandya Rock Cut Cave Shrine claimed by ASI)  or the Lower cave at Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort was a part of the structural and Rock Cut cave Shiva and Vishnu temples in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai, and Sivagangai Districts, on 21^st November 2021. This bottom cave temple was excavated on the southern side of the Rock Fort hill, which is about 100 meters from the steps leading to the top of the hill. The path leading to the Rock Cut cave is completely encroached.

ARCHITECTURE

The pillars start with a square base, and after that, they change octagonal base. The pillars consist of malai thongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thaadi, kudam / kumbha, and pothyal (curved without Tharangam). 4 such pillars and 2 pilasters are at the entrance of the Cave. 23 bhuta ganas are in the valapi of the entrance to the cave, of which 6 are incomplete. The rock-cut cave is in a rectangular shape with two shrines on the east and west sides. Both shrines have with sanctum sanctorum and a mandapam, supported with two pillars and 2 pilasters.  

The eastern shrine is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu in the form of a bas-relief. Maha Vishnu is with 4 hands. The Upper hand holds Changu / Conch and Chakra. The chakra is a prayoga posture. The lower right hand is in abhaya hastam, and the left hand is in kadi hastam. He wears ornaments in his ears, neck, and hands. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides of Maha Vishnu. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the Shrine. Both Dwarapalakas are in different postures. The left side dwarapalaka keeps his left foot on a bhuta gana.

The western side is empty. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the shrine.  Both are with unique postures and holding the thandam with a snake coiled around it. The dwarapalakas are with Karanda maguda and wear ornaments.  

The northern wall is divided into 5 niches, which consist of Ganesh, Murugan, Brahma, Surya, and Durga.  

Vinayagar…. The Vinayagar is in a standing posture. Vinayagar’s tusk is found broken. He wears ornaments like Sarapalli, yagnopaveetha. The legs are not proportionate to the body. This Vinayagar is unique since this Vinayagar is the only sculpture available in the Rock cut Caves of Tamil Nadu. Two attendants or  Devotees are on both sides of Vinayagar.

Murugan…. Murugan is in a standing posture with Maguda. The upper hands didn’t hold any weapons, the lower right hand is found  broken, and the left hand is kadi hastam. Two Vidyadharas are at the top, and two devotees are at the bottom.

Brahma…. Brahma is with Maguda and 4 hands. While the upper hands are holding  akkamala and Kendi, the lower right hand is in Kadaka mudra facing upward direction, and the left hand is in Kadi hastam. 3 faces are carved clearly. Two Vidyadharas are shown on the top, and two saints are shown at the bottom. Brahma wears yagnopaveetham, sarapalli, and bangles.

Surya…  This is the biggest Suryan bas-relief available in a rock-cut Cave.  Surya has 4 hands. While the upper hand holds akkamalai and Lotus flower, the lower right hand is in broken condition, and the left hand is in kadi hastam.  He is with Karanda Magudam and wears pathra kundalam, muthu mala, sarapalli, and Yagnopaveetham. Suryan / sun / olivattam is shown on the back of his head. Two Vidyadharas are in flying posture on the top, and devotees are shown by the side of their legs in Garudasana.

Kotravai…. The last panel is Kotravai. Legs are unfinished. She is with 4 hands, while the upper hand holds a mirror-like object, the upper left hand is not sculpted, the lower right hand is in kataka mudra, and the left hand is in kadi hastam. Two Vidyadharas are on the top, and sculptures of Arikandam and Navakanda by her devotees are shown below.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), this cave is assignable to the Pandya Period, ie, 8^th Century CE.  Even though this rock-cut cave is excavated very much similar to the Pallava / Mutharaiyar style and architecture, this is called as Pandya Rock-cut cave. Experts couldn’t come to a final conclusion, who had done this. One of the reasons is that the Shiva Linga will be scooped out of the mother rock in the Pandyas and Mutharaiyar’s Rock Cut caves. But in this cave it is not so. The Pillars are also very similar to Pallava’s style. Considering these facts, Dr Kalaikovan, of the opinion that this rock-cut cave may belong to the Pallava Period, and he strongly believes that it might have been excavated after Rajasimha Pallava. If so, this rock-cut cave may belong to the 7^th Century.

There were 5 inscriptions on the front pillars. These inscriptions belong to the 10^th Century and later periods. These are not inscribed after the cave was excavated. The first inscription records as. .. "Chozha kulathilaka perudhasa…" the second one as…"Ithu akka mala.." Third one as… "ithu thirutha thiru…" Fourth one as…. "Ithu thiruthan kooru,…" and the last one as….  "Arulalan".

HOW TO REACH

This cave is on the ground level, a few yards from the HR & CE Office. 

This Rock Cut Cave is about 2.2 km from Chatram Bus Stand, 6 km from Central Bus Stand and Trichy Railway Junction, and 324 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu

Maha Vishnu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---