While I was searching the Aalayam Kanden website, understood that Mrs PadmaPriya Baskaran is organizing a one-day trip to Thakkolam ( click here ), Melpadi, Pullalur, and Thiruvalam on 9th August 2015 for Ponniyin Selvan Group ( Click here Click Here ). Even though I had been earlier to Thakkolam and Thiruvalam temples as a part of a pilgrimage yatra to cover 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal (for details CLICK HERE ) thought of doing it once again with a group of heritage enthusiastic people.
After visiting Melpadi, we reached Mahendravadi via Sholingur- Banavaram. Mahendravadi is very near to a quite large tank ( Mahendravarma tataka ) with high-raised bunds. Mahendravadi must be a large city during Mahendravarman's period.
The Monolithic rock-cut temple
ARCHITECTURE
The rock-cut shrine was dedicated to Lord Vishnu (from the grantha inscriptions – the god's name was Murari). The Narasimha idol was installed in the sanctum in recent years. The cave consists of a sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The ardhamandapam and mukha mandapam are seperated by two pillars and two pilaster. 2 pillars and 2 pilasters are at the mukha mandapam. The four pillars are cubical at the top and bottom and octagonal at the center. The Pothiyal/Capital (Pillar support to ceiling) is not artistically carved, simple curved pothyals. The front two pillar cubical portions and pilasters are carved with Lotus medallions on all four sides of the top and bottom.
The Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum standing in tribhanga posture without thandam resting their hands on the waist and looking at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Both are eroded or worn out very much. On the right side, dwarapalaka is wearing a necklace, Mukuta, and Yajnopavita.
The Rock cut temple - A closer look
The Rock cut temple - still a closer look
Narasimhar installed during recent years
Dwarapalakas
Mukha mandapam
Muka mandapam Pillar with pothyal
lotus medallion
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
inscription is recorded in ARE 1896, no 13, SII Volume 12, Pallavas No 24.
The
Pallava Grantham inscription records that this spacious temple was
excavated for Murari (Visnu)
named Mendra Vishnu graham out of the
rock on the bank of the “Mahendra Tataka” in the city of Mahendrapura by
Gunabhara. Gunabhara is also called as Mahendravarman-I.
The translation of grantha inscription is – Splitting the rock, Gunabhara caused to be made on ( the bank of ) the "mehendra tataka" ( tank) in the great city of Mahendrapura this solid, spacious temple of Murari ( Vishnu), named Mahendra-Vishnugriha, which is highly praised by good people, ( and which is) an abode of beauty pleasing the eyes of men.
For further reading please ....CLICK HERE.
LOCATION OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE: CLICK HERE
A Name board on the road
After a visit to Rock Cut Vishnu temple, we saw a Vinayagar temple on the opposite side of the road in a dilapidated condition. Trees were grown on the vimanam and roots split side walls. The walls are constructed on a rock and a relief of Vinayagar is carved on the surface of the rock.
The crumbling treasure
The crumbling treasure
Vinayagar relief in the sanctum - carved on the surface of the boulder
LOCATION OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE: CLICK HERE
I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Padmapriya Baskaran, Mr. Venkatesh, Mr. Vaidyanathan Ramamurthy, and other organizers of the Photo walkers for organizing a wonderful one-day trip.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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