Pazhiyileeswaram Temple, Narthamalai
It is another rock-cut cave temple, dedicated to Siva,
opposite to the Vijayalaya
Chozhisvaram temple, about 30
feet south of Samanarkudagu.
This Siva cave temple was excavated in the seventh year
of the Pallava king Nripatunga (862 AD.) by a Muttaraiyar chief,
Sattanpazhiyili, son of Videlvidugu Muttaraiyan; hence the temple gets the
name.
An inscription on the basement, states that the temple
was excavated by Pazhiyili. It also states that his son built the front
mandapam and installed a nandi, while his daughter Pazhiyili Siriyanangai made
a gift of land to the temple.
They had built the mukha mandapam, Nandi mandapam and
the Balipeedom of the temple. This inscription helps to read the lineage of
Mutharayar kings who were the vassals of the Pallava kings.
It has a garbhagriham, measuring 8 feet x 7½ feet, and
about 7 feet in height, cut out of the rock. There is a lingam inside with a
cylindrical yoni pitham.
Two dvarapalakas, belonging to this temple, have been
excavated from the site and now placed on the platform. In front of the
garbha-griham is a moulded basement of a mandapam referred to in the foundation
inscription. On the basement, above the kumudam, is a frieze of dancing Bhoothaganas.
There is a fine sculpture of Nandi placed on the basement.
Inside the cell is a Shivalingam which seems to be
a later addition. Shiva lingam carved out of mother rock is a
characteristic feature of Muttharaiya /Pandya caves however this cave
does not confirm to that custom.
Entrance of the cave has been modeled in simple lintel
and pilaster style. Two dvarpalas images are placed at the entrance
however these images are not carved on mother rock but on loose stones. There
is enough space on either side of the entrance on the rock however
no dvarpalas image was tried during the original construction.
It is most probable that these images were placed during
the expansion of the shrine. An image of Nandi is placed
on mukha-mandapa platform at present. The base of the platform is
simple except a gana (dwarf) row above kumudam. These ganas are
shown in various actions mostly of dancing.
Pazhiyili was a Mutharayar king who ruled in 857 A.D in
Narthamalai region. Pazhiyili figures in the inscription found near Pudukkottai
– Narthamalai in 857 A.D. Pazhiyili practiced Jainism and donated lands to Siva
temple and named it as Pazhiyileeswaram. Pazhiyili as the contemporary
chieftain under Pallava rule in Kodumbalur region and deviating from his
predecessors practiced Saivism and made a rock – cut temple.
Inscriptions
No 365 of the Annual Report on Epigraphy 1914/No 63 of
the South Indian Inscriptions vol XII/No 19 of the Inscriptions of the
Pudukkottai State/No 395 of the South Indian Inscriptions vol XVII – On
the north base of the ruined mandapa in front of the cave – Written in Tamil in
19 lines – dated to seventh regnal year of the Pallava king Nripatungavarman,
approximately to 875 CE – Records the excavation of the rock-cut temple by
Chattan Paliyili, son of Videlvidugu Muttharaiya. Former’s daughter Paliyili
Siriyanangai, the wife of Minavan Tamiladiaraiyan alias Palan Anantan, expanded
it by constructing a mukha – mandapa rishabhakkottil with a rishabha,
balipitha.
The lady also made an endowment of tax free land
entrusted to Chavainjattan of Peruvilattur in Annavayilkurram for worship and
offerings to the god of the temple the Pattudaiyan Uruttiran Teyapikki was
asked to take care of charity.
