Ladan Temple/Murugan (Ladan Koil)/ Rock Cut Cave Temple, Narasingam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Ladan Temple, a rock-cut cave temple at Narasingam, Madurai, was a part of “Traditional Journey to Yanaimalai”, on 31^st August 2025, organised by the Kumbakonam Heritage by Gopinath, and kumbakonamheritage.com. Thanks to Prof. Devi Arivu Selvam for leading our Heritage Journey with valuable inputs.

The Vinayagar is in the middle of the steps/ sobanam. 

This rock-cut cave temple is about 100 meters from the Sri Yoga Narasinga Perumal Temple, on the Yanaimalai Hill. This cave was excavated in the 8th - 9th century Pandya period. This Rock Cut Cave is dedicated to Murugan with Sri Valli. (But the Tamil Archaeological Department claims it as Devasena). Two Dwarapalas, like aged people with beards, Cock flags are on the ardha mandapa. Murugan and Valli are in the sukasana sitting posture. Murugan is with Karanda Makuta and Channa Veeram on the chest.

The Rock cut cave consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the ardha mandapam. The ardha mandapam is supported with two square, octagonal pillars at the centre and two pilasters. Virikona pothyal is on the top of the pillars. The temple is at an elevated level, and steps are provided on both sides. A Vinayagar is sculptured in the centre of the steps. The sanctum sanctorum is also on an elevated level from the ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam, kumudam, pilasters, adhishtanam, etc. Some of these are complete, while others remain unfinished. Two aged with beard dwarapalakas, Peacock, and a Cock are on the ardha mandapam wall.

Dwarapalas

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Vattezhuthu inscription on the left side of the steps wall, the Rock Cut Cave temple, belongs to the 8^th Century CE.

இக்கல்வெட்டு வட்டக்குறிச்சி என்ற ஊரைச்சார்ந்த நம்பிரான் பட்டசோமாசி பரிவிராஜகர் என்பவர் இக்குடைவரைக் கோயிலைப் புதுப்பித்ததைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது.

As per the inscription, the temple was excavated/renovated by Nambirayan Batta Somasi Parivirajakar, who belongs to Vattakurichi Village. The original inscription reads as….

ஸ்ரீஸ்வத் புல்லா (தி)

வட்டக்குறிச்சி நம்பி

ரான் பட்ட சோமாசி பரி

விராச்ஜகர் புதுக்கு 

Ref:

மதுரை மாவட்ட கல்வெட்டுகள், தொகுதி – 1.

8th - 9th century Pandya period inscription

HOW TO REACH

This temple is at Narasingam, just on the side of the Yoga Narasimhar Rock Cut Cave Temple and west side of the Yanaimalai.

The temple is 7 km from Mattuthavani Bus Stand, 11 km from Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, 12 km from Madurai Railway Junction, and 30 km from Thirupparankundram.

The nearest Railway Station is Madurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---