Malaiyadikurichi Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thirunelveli
Malaiyadikurichi
Rock Cut Cave Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, located towards northern
side at the outskirts of the Malaiyadikurichi village on a rock slope of the
hillock. It is called as Mahadeva Swamy Cave Temple. Presiding Deity is called
as Mahadeva Swamy and Mother is called as Marakathavalli Amman appears in a
separate sanctum. It belongs to early Pandya period.
Cave
Temple
The
Malaiyadikurichi rock-cut cave temple consists of a rock-cut sanctum, a mukhamandapam
or the rectangular pavilion (hall) resting on pillars, facade of the cave, and
the structural Mahamandapam (an open pavilion (hall) resting on pillars) all
arranged consecutively facing east. The cave temple is surrounded by the
perimeter wall. The entrance to the Mahamandapam is seen both on the east and
the south. Two Nandhis images facing the sanctum are located before the eastern
entrance. Also there is another Nandhi image facing the sanctum of the consort
is located at the southern entrance.
The
pillared Mahamandapam or entrance pavilion (hall), 5.70 meters in the east
- west and 5.17 meters in the south - north directions, was an addition made in
the frontage to the rock-cut cave temple during the Nayaka Rule. The
conspicuous components of the Mahamandapam basement are upanam, kantha
with padha, and pattika or peruvajana. The walls sectioned by brahmakanta
(square) pilasters and above the pilasters there are vettu potikas holding
the prastara components such as uttira (beam), vajanam, valabhi and kapotha
with kudus.
The
flight of two steps leads to the Mahamandapam was an addition made in the
frontage built during the Pandya Rule. The pilasters (door frames) at the
eastern and southern entrances bear small nagabandhas, lotus medallion and
torana. The roof of the Mahamandapam is supported by pillars segmented as
three squares with kattu in the middle. Above the pillars, vettu potikas
extend its limbs to support prastara components - uttiram, vajana and
valabhi.
Marakathavalli Amman Sanctum:
South
facing sanctum has Upa-peetam, wall without pada, uttiram, vajanam, valabhi and
kapotham. The front wall of this sanctum shows inscriptions in fragments. Also
there are inscriptions on the faces of pillars and there are few inscriptions
on the northern wall. Few inscription stones were re-fixed on the
wall in an inverted direction during renovation. Goddess
Marakathavalli appears wearing jatamakuta and the right hand holding the flower
and the left hand rested on the lap.
Facade:
Two
pillars and two pilasters supports facade. Comparing the upper brahmakanta
(square) the lower brahmakanta (square) and kattu are larger. Except western
face of the square pillar, all the faces are decorated with circular medallions
with variety of flower patterns - lotus whorls or kodikarukku (leaf pattern).
One of the circular medallions is decorated with lotus flower whorls and an
image at the center appears in lalithasanam posture with palm leaf coil ear
ornament, haram with pendant, short robe around waist and the breast band. The image
appears seated and resting its right hand on a pillow. Two chauri bearers also
appear. The medallions in the eastern upper faces of the pilaster are also
decked with lotus flower whorls.
The
upper northern face of the pilaster at southern wall possess makara medallion
surrounded by kodikarukku (foliate leaf pattern) motif. Similarly the pilaster
at northern wall is decorated with medallion with swan (Annam) motif at the
center. The Taranga potikas with unique coiled edges and broad median
patta rest on pillars and pilasters. The coiled pattern taranga potikas appear
unique and different from Tirumalapuram taranga potikas. The potikas support
the prastara elements, like uttiram vajana and valabhi, running adjoining roof.
The kapota extends out and joins with Mahamandapam roof.
Mukhamandapam:
The
facade extends to the rectangular mukha mandapa which measures 5.32 meters in
north-south and 1.91 meters in east-west directions. The unifloor (evenly
paved) forms part of the facade as well as mukhamandapam. The lateral walls and
roof are forming part of mother rock and they appear plain and simple. The
northern part of the wall bears the inscription of the Pandya king Sri
Vallabha. The sanctums are excavated from the mid-western wall and appear as
the projection.
Two
shallow niches (enclosed by two square pilasters) are carved on the western
wall one on each side to the sanctum. The northern niche shows the traces bas
relief image as a silhouette. Looks like a four armed human mounted on elephant
and the umbrella and chauris are visible. The southern niche also shows the
traces of bas relief image as a silhouette. Appears like a divine form and the
bird seated on a stem of twiner is visible.
Sanctum:
The 41
cm high plinth (padabhanda adishtanam) with components of jagadi, vritta
(rounded) kumuda, kantha flanked kampa without pada and pattika. The padas bear
vedikas, vedikantha and kampa. The front wall of the sanctum bears two shallow
koshtas on either side. The two koshtas bear the traces of scrapped bas relief
images. Both the bas relief images could be the Dwarapalakas. The flight of
steps leading to the sanctum also appears to have damaged. Hence new steps
added at later date.
The
rectangular sanctum cell (measurement: 1.71 meters height x 1.47 meters width x
1.63 meters length) holds a monolithic Shivalingam with square Avudayar. The
sanctum is simple and plain and devoid of any ornamentation. The
rectangular Avudayar measures about 0.74 meters in width and 0.41 meters in
length and Vesara (cylindrical) bana measures 0.29 meters in height and the
plinth of the Avudayar is composed with the elements like upana, athopadmavari
(string of inverted lotus), kantha with kampa, urdhva padmavari (string of
lotus), pattika with kampa. The gomukha is seen on the northern side of the Avudayar
with a spout like formation.
Makara Torana:
The ornate
Makara Torana (Capricorn Arch or festoon) carved out of a single
stone with four opposed fierce makara-heads (crocodile heads) adorns
above the entrance of the sanctum. It reminds us the Pallava style Makara
torana at the Satrumallesvara rock-cut cave temple at Dalavanur and
Draupadi Ratha at Mamallapuram. Two opposing Capricorn heads, (facing north and
south) are carved at the center of the door lintel and they appear spitting
warriors (in miniature size) holding swords and shields. A male image seated on
lotus flower flanked by two chauris is shown within the floral ring located at
the center between two makara heads. The parallel pair of opposing makara heads
are placed one each in the southern and northern corners of the festoon. The
intricately coiled feathers appear spread across the entire door lintel.
Inscriptions:
The
rock-cut cave is rich in inscriptions dating from the 7th century A.D. to 10th
century A.D. A Tamil (script) inscription is carved on the eastern face of
the potika of the northern pillar. It stands as the unique record about
the excavation of the cave temple by Sathan Eran of Sevur for Pandya King Ko Maran
Sendan during the king's seventeenth regnal year i.e, 637 A.D. It helps us to
ascertain the exact date of the cave temple.
Two
inscriptions are found on the northern wall. The royal order was issued
to Devakanmi and Sri Maheswara kankani serving in the 'Pinakkarukkum Mahadeva'
temple vide inscription dated in the 3rd regnal year of the Pandya
king Sri Vallabha. The inscription mentions Malaiyadikurichi as the Thenpitakai
of the Sri Parantaka Chaturvedimangalam of Arinattu Brahmadesam. The royal
order also mentions about the land tax exemptions to the piece of lands already
gifted for the daily puja rituals of Mahadeva temple by the Sri Vallabha and
his father.
Another
inscription dated in the 11th regnal year on the 143rd day registers the gift
of Ammaikkulam. The inscription on the faces of the pillars in the Mahamandapam
mentions the names such as Konamalai Iramanarayana Pillai, Patpanatha
Pillai and Palaimutram Chittan. Another royal order was issued to Devakanmis and
Shiva-Brahmins of this temple vide inscription dated in the 12th regnal year of
the Pandya King Maravarman Sundarapandyan II (1238-1251). One more inscription
registers the tax exemption to the village called Samanthanallur gifted already
by one Chokkanar Samanthan for daily puja rituals.
It is
learned from fragments of inscriptions about the land measuring stick called 'Virapandiyan
kol (stick), Pannirendadi kol (12 feet measuring stick) as well as few names of
the Pandya irrigation canals and tanks and the names of the officials of the
Pandya kingdom. The inscription records the date as 17th regnal year (637 A.D.)
and the name of the Pandya king Ko Maran Sendhan who was instrumental for the
excavation of this cave temple. Hence the same date could be assignable to this
rock-cut cave.
Connectivity
Malaiyadikurichi
is a small village located near Dharugapuram in the Taluk of Sivagiri in Thirunelveli
district of Tamilnadu. From Sankarankovil Malaiyadikurichi can be reached by
traveling on the Sankarankovil - Puliangudi road and take diversion at 13.4 km
and proceed to Dharugapuram via Thalaivankottai. Malaiyadikurichi is
located about 17 Kms from Sankarankovil, 9 Kms from Puliyankudi; 11 Kms from Sivagiri
and 30 Kms from Rajapalayam. It is located 75 Kms towards North from District headquarters
Thirunelveli. Sivakasi Railway Station is major railway station located at
about 53 Kms from this Village. Nearest Airport is located at Tuticorin, Madurai
and Thiruvananthapuram.
References