Kudumiyamalai Temple Complex, Pudukottai
Kudumiyamalai is located about 20 km from Pudukkotai town. The village is
centered around a small hillock, where a cave temple has been carved on its
foot. This cave temple, locally known as Melaikkovil,
has been extended continuously during later times which suggest that this place
held quite an importance in the past. However once bustling with social and
cultural activities, at present this is a small idle village.
Kudumiyamalai ('ku-du-mi-yaa-ma-lai') is an important
site in the district famous for a few old temples of considerable beauty as
well as archaeological interest. It is one of the oldest historic townships in
the tract. The township was called as Thiru-nalak-kundram in earlier
inscriptions and Shikhanallur in later ones.
The village had extended all around a hillock, at the
foot of which, on the east, is the famous Kudumiyamalai temple complex.
On and near a hillock there are four temples including a
fine cave temple and a very large Siva temple, called Sikhanathasvami koil,
containing exquisite sculptures.
The musical inscription found on a face of the cave temple
is important in the musical history of India. There are nearly a hundred and
twenty inscriptions in Kudumiyamalai.
Location
Kudumiyamalai is located on Pudukkottai – Kodumbalur – Manapparai
road about 20 Kilometers from Pudukkottai.
Following the road off the main road one reaches the
foothills of the hillock where the temple complex is situated.
Town Bus facility is available from Pudukkottai.
History
For Brief Details Please refer
Monuments
There are four temples on and near a rock hill. At the
foot of the hillock, in the east side, is the famous Kudumiyamalai temple
complex.
It began as a simple cave temple in the early Pandya
Times (7th Century AD) developed in time to one of the largest temple complex
in the district.
The temple complex consists of following places of
interest;
Melakkoil (Thirumetrali) Cave Temple
Shikanatha or Kuduminatha Temple
Other Subsidiary Shrines.
There is another temple dedicated to Murugan, on the top
of the hillock.
For Brief Details refer
There is plethora of inscriptions here and the musical
inscription found on a face of the cave temple is important in the musical
history of India.
For brief Details refer
Food and Accommodation
This is a small village with no proper accommodation
facility. Proper Lodging Facilities are available at Trichy or Pudukkotai.
Food will be available from small village restaurants. If Hygienic conscious,
Pack the foods from Trichy or Pudukottai. Village Restaurants here are very
good and serving delicious food.
Connectivity
By Bus:
There are buses from all major places in Tamil Nadu to Pudukkottai
which is 20km away from the temple in Kudumiyamalai. From here autos and taxis
are available. Nearest Bus Stand is Palaniyappa Bus Stand .This will connect
all the places to Pudukottai.
By Train:
Nearest Major Railway station is Pudukkottai Railway
Station which is 16 km away from Shikhanatha Temple in Kudumiyamalai. From here
autos and taxis are available. Nearest Railway Station is Vellanur Railway
Station, Cauvery Nagar. This will connect all the places in Tamil Nadu.
By Flight:
Nearest airport to Kudumiyamalai is Trichy Airport which
is 51km away. From here taxis and bus services are available to access the Temple.