Tiger's
Cave, Saluvankuppam, Mamallapuram,
Chengalpattu
Tiger's Cave is a rock-cut Hindu Temple complex located
in the hamlet of Saluvankuppam near Mamallapuram in
Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. It gets its name from the carvings
of tiger heads
on the mouth of a cave which forms a part of the complex. It is also called as Yazhi
Mandapam. It is a famous picnic spot for Chennai citizens mainly due to its
proximity to the beach and open space surrounded by a lot of trees. There are
no entrance fees, but there is a small parking fee. There are a few small
stalls outside this venue, offering cool-drinks, tender coconut, etc. The
temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
History
The Tiger Cave is considered to be one of the
Mahabalipuram rock-cut temples constructed by the Pallavas in
the 8th century AD. The Tiger Cave is believed to have been built by
Rajasimha Pallava. The discovery of an inscription on a rocky outcrop in the
Tiger Cave complex in 2005 led to the excavation of a Sangam
period Subrahmanya Temple close by.
The Cave
Tiger’s Cave is a unique cave shrine which is
different in style from the other monuments of Mamallapuram. The south east
facing structure is cut at a height of 6 feet from the ground level. The
pavilion is closed on all three sides and a 4 feet deep and 6 feet high cavity
is excavated in the front. There are stairs to reach the high raised platform.
They are supported by lion parapets on either side. The two lion pilasters with
a female rider on the rearing lion are important features of the site.
Around the central cell, a surrounding garland like
arrangement of eleven yazhis (a mythological animal) is found. Interestingly,
some scholars believe that this pavilion might have been used as a festival
pavilion during Indira Vizha (festival of Indra). There are references about
Indra Vizha in ancient Tamil books such as Silapathikaram. The south facing
side of the rock has two big elephant heads and an unfinished horse.
The north facing side of the rock has a big lion with an
unfinished figure carved in its stomach. Tiger's Cave is actually a misnomer as
the site is full of lion figures and Yazhi figures and not tigers. The space
has been neatly developed by ASI with lawns dotted by palm, casuarinas and
other trees. The small hillocks and rocks offer a natural excuse for children
and adults alike to climb and run around.
Connectivity
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