Shatru Malleswaralayam Rock Cut Temple, Thalavanur,
Villupuram
Shatru Malleswaralayam Rock Cut Temple is in Thalavanur,
16 kms from Gingee, Villupuram District, a drivable distance from Chennai, the
state capital of Tamil Nadu. It was built by the Pallava king, Mahendra Varman
(580 to 630 A.D).
This is a fine example of temple architecture built
without the use of conventional materials. It is one of earliest rock cut
cave temple in Tamilnadu.
Shatru Malleswaralayam Temple has some fine sculptures
and Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions. Mahendravarman, called Vichitrachitha, an
innovator, says in a Sanskrit inscription that he is not building the temple
from any perishable material — brick, wood, metal, limestone or stucco. The
inscription calls this cave temple Lakshita Yathaanam.
History
Shatrumalleswaram was built by the Pallava king,
Mahendravarman in Thalavanur, Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. These temples were the
first ones where the artists and artisans of the time experimented with rock
cut cave temples that was later to reach its peak in Mamallapuram.
Temple
Shatru Malleswaralayam Rock Cut Temple is carved at the
edge of a hillock, overlooking boulders. The makartoranas, the crocodile-shaped
door decorations can be found in the façade. Carved on the hill are a small
flight of steps cut into the rocks that lead up to the caves of Jain monks,
which were retreats where they meditated.
At the base and top of the central mandapam (hall)
pillars, holding up the cave’s roof, are large medallions carved on each face
of the square sections. Above the entrance is an elaborately carved lintel.
References
Above the lower edge of the roof is a gently curved
overhang with a row of equally spaced candrasalas, relief sculptures with
carved faces. On both sides of the mandapam are deep niches with the two Dwarapalakas
(the door guardians) flanks the lingam.
