The visit to this 6th to 8th
Century Rock cut cave Temple was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples/Rock cut
Cave temples of Andhra Pradesh Visit”, on 24th June 25th
June 2023.
This rock-cut cave temple complex consists of more than 8 cave temples,
excavated on the Ambavaram Nallamalai, a part of eastern Ghats in Prakasam
District, Andhra Pradesh. Each Rock Cut cave temple consists of A Shiva Lingam,
Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, and Rishabam excavated from the
mother rock. Some Caves have images of Maha Vishnu, and Brahma next to
Dwarapalakas, and some caves squatting
lion pillars support the mukha mandapam.
The main 8 Rock cut cave temples are called Ashta Kala Prachanda Bhairava Lingam, Paksha Gatha Lingam, Sreesaila
Mallikarjuna Lingam, Sri Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam, Rameshwara Lingam,
Kasi Visweshvara Lingam, Rudra Lingam, Shashi Nagalingam, Nagareshwara Lingam,
Maha Kala Bhairavar and some small caves
are also excavated similar to larger ones.
Even though these caves are excavated with
dwarapalakas, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Vinayagar, and Chandikeswarar, they are not
similar. In all cave shrines, Chandikeswarars are sitting in lalithasana
posture. Each one is unique in head decoration, dress, ornaments, weapons, and the
style of standing/sitting postures. All the Vinayagars are without Vahanas
and some Vinayagars are holding Mullangi / radish. All the Dwarapalakas are
standing in three banga posture and some of them are with horns. In addition to the caves with Dwarapalakas,
smaller in size Shiva Lingas are also excavated in many places. Vyagrapada and Elephants worshipping Shiva,
bas relief is on the Naha Kala Bairavar sannidhi
Hariharan
and Natarajar Panels...
In
Hariharan Panel.... In this Haraihara, is
shown with 8 hands, On Haran/Shiva's side, Shiva is holding Trishul, Parasu, and accamala and the lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam. The third eye is shown on
the forehead. On the Maha Vishnu-Hari side, Vishnu is holding shankha, chakra,
gatha, or sword and the lower left hand is in Kadi hastam.
In
Natarajar Panel... Shiva has with
different dance posture with 8 hands. Holding Trishul, Parasu, Damaru, Nagar/
snake, Dwajathandam, Kati hastam, and lower hands are in Abhaya hastam and kati
hastam.
Sri
Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam Cave
shrine...
In this Cave temple, on the back side wall is the
three mukha image. They are decorated like female deities and are called Kali,
Parvati, and Maha Lakshmi. Actually, they signify the three faces of Shiva ie Tatpurusham,
Vamadevam and Agora faces. The center image has the third eye on the
forehead, Snake, and Pasam. This is very much similar to the Rashtrakuta
sculptures of Elephenta and Ellora Caves. The Dwarapalaka’s hands are on the
gatha and one of the Dwarapalaka is shown with a horn. There is no Rishabam in
front of this cave.
Rudra
Lingam Cave Shrine... The Shiva Lingam is a little tall on a square avudayar. In
place of Dwarapalakas, Brahma is shown on the left and Maha Vishnu is on the
right. Rishabam, Vinayagar, and Chandikeswarar are not there in this cave.
Shashi
Nagalingam Cave Shrine... The Shiva Lingam is
on a round Avudayar and a Rishabam is in front of the cave temple. Brahma and
Maha Vishnu are shown on both sides of the cave along with dwarapalakas.
Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar are on both sides of the cave entrance.
Sreesaila
Mallikarjuna Lingam Cave Shrine....
This cave is excavated with a mukha mandapam supported by two numbers of square
and octagonal pillars with plain round pothyal.
A squatting lion is shown on the Capital /pothyal. Brahma and Maha
Vishnu are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Naga
vakratham is shown on the pillars. Bhuta
ganas are shown on the lintel of the mukha mandapam.
Nagareshwara
Lingam Cave Shrine... This Cave temple is
just above the Sri Three mukha Bharghuleswara Lingam Cave Shrine. The Shiva
Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is on a round avudayar excavated from the
mother rock. The Cave is excavated with a mukha mandapam supported by two
numbers of square pillars with kudam and round pothyal / capital.
Kasi
Viswanatha Lingam Cave Shrine.... in this cave
shrine Moolavar is on a Round Avudayar. Dwarapalakas are shown on both sides of
the entrance. The rishabam is in damaged condition. Vinayagar and
Chandikeswarar are not excavated into this cave Shrine.
Paksha
Gatha Lingam Cave Shrine... This shrine is
excavated with Mukha mandapam supported by two numbers of squatting Lion
Pillars and two pilasters. The tongues of the lions are protruding out. The
Pillars are octagonal and square with malai thongal, kudam, and round pothyals.
Bhogi Bhairavars are on the Pothyal. Bhuta Ganas, Macha Kanni, and Macha Purusha
are in the Valapi. In kapotam Chandra mandalam, Nasi kudus with Gandharva nagas
with hoods are shown on the back side of the head. Above the Kapotam, a pair of lions
facing each other. Vinayagar and Chandikeswara are on the side of this cave.
Ashta
kala Prachanda Bhairava Lingam Cave shrine...
In this cave shrine moolavar is on a square avudayar. The Cave is excavated
with a mukha mandapam supported by two Squatting Lion pillars and two
pilasters. The pillars are octagonal and square. Malai thongal, kudam, and round
pothyal are shown. The prastaram consists of Valapi with Bhuta Ganas, kapotam
with Chandara mandalam and nasi kudus. Gandharvas are in the Nasu kudus. Brahma
and Maha Vishnu are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum along with
Dwarapalakas. Maha Vishnu is holding a gatha in the lower right hand. Vinayagar
and Chandikeswara are on the side of this cave. The Rishabam is in damaged
condition.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
Pallava Grantha and Telugu inscriptions are found
on the lintel portion of two cave shrines. The Rock Cut Cave shrine may belong
to the 6th to 8th Century CE. Since the iconography of the
sculptures is in a combination of Chalukyas, Rashtakutas, and Pallavas, it will be
very difficult to conclude, during whose period these rock-cut Caves shrines
are excavated.
HOW
TO REACH
The Rock Cut Cave Temple is about 5 km from
Kothapalli on CS Puram Road. 6 km from Ambavaram, 12 km from DG Peta, 43 km from Udayagiri, 122 km from Kadapa, and 136 KM from Nellore.
From Udayagiri, this place can be reached through
Auto.
There is no Railway Station nearer to this Cave
Temple.
LOCATION
OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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