Mahendravadi Rock Cut Cave Temple – The Temple
This is
a very important cave temple, constructed by Mahendravarman I, as this is the only cave temple which is
dedicated to Vishnu. This is a small and east facing rock cut cave temple.
This cave was excavated from a free-standing boulder measuring about 3.35-meter-long
and 7.62-meter-wide from north to south. The cave comprises a facade, a
rectangular Mukhamandapam, Ardhamandapam and the slightly projected cubical
sanctum. The facade floor is formed 0.50 meter above the ground level. The
facade measures 5.71 meter in north south direction and 0.60 meter in east west
direction.
The
facade comprises two pillars with the features of square, octagonal kattu and
square in the middle and two pilasters one on each side of the corners. There
are three wide 'anganas' (bays) are formed between the pillars and pilasters. The
lower square and kattu are long when equated with the upper square. While all
the upper faces of the square are decorated with circular lotus medallions, all
the lower faces except the west face is adorned with flower medallions. The
flower medallions appear different from lotus medallions and the square frames
also have deep embellishments.
While
the upper south and north faces of the pilasters have lotus medallions, the
east faces of the pilasters also have only half frame of the medallions and the
west face is left blank. The vettu potikas holding the prastara components such
as uttira (beam) and vajanam. The mother rock is evenly sculpted and extended
in a semi-circular shape. In spite of its appearance as kapota, the structure
is not shaped as kapota in its full form. Also, there are two deep grooves
above the facade - the lower one is short and the upper one extends up to the
entire cave length.
The open
rectangular mukha-mandapa is formed between two rows of pillars i.e., row of
pillars in the facade and the row of rear pillars with the features of
square, octagonal kattu and square in the middle. No medallions noticed on the
faces of the square part. Here also the vettu potikas holding the prastara
components such as uttira (beam) and vajanam. The floor level is raised above
up to 0.05 meter. The side walls, measuring about 5.75 meter in length and 1.15
meter in width, are left blank. The floor and roof are even and there is a
band of vajanam running on all four sides.
The
space formed between two rows of pillars i.e., row of rear pillars and
rear wall is Ardhamandapam. Ardhamandapam measures about 5.87 meter in length
and 2.22 meter in width. The floor level is still raised above up to 0.05
meter. The sanctum is formed on the western lateral wall facing east and it is
protruding out of the western lateral wall up to 0.39 meter. The sanctum floor
level is raised above up to 0.59 meter. The components of adhishtana of the
sanctum includes jagadi, kumuda, khanta and pattika flanked by kampa. The
moldings are more distinct on the northern wing than the southern wing.
A flight
of three steps without balustrades, cut from the mother rock, leads to the
sanctum. The doorway is framed by east facing pilasters on either
side. There are two niches - one on either side of the sanctum, excavated
up to 1.51-meter-high on the western lateral wall. Both south and north niches house
two male Dwarapalakas. The niches are framed Patti (band) on all four sides.
The roof is supported by uttiram, vajanam and rough kapota. The lateral walls
of the sanctum are not even at roof level.
Lord
Narasimha appears in padmasana posture in the sanctum and this could be the
later addition. The original prime deity 'Murari,' as mentioned in the inscription
could not be found. The pilasters at the entrance and the rear row of
pillars bear niches for lighting oil lamps. This also could be the lateral additions.
Daily pujas are not offered to Lord Narasimha in this cave temple.
Both the Dwarapalakas (door guards) in Mahendravadi appear in parsavakosana, an unusual posture. The Dwarapalaka in the right niche appear in parsavakosana with the left leg in parsva (foot slightly towards right) and the right leg 90 degree.
The left
and right heels are aligned and the thighs are firm and the right thigh outward
and the center of the kneecap is in line with the center of the right
ankle. The left hip slightly forward, towards the right and the upper
torso extends back to the left. The face is upright and smiling. The left hand
and the broken right hands are resting on his hips. He appears wearing
headband, Karandamakutam with chanka motiff and ornaments worn by him
includes patra kundala in ears, sarapali in the neck, armlets (tolvalai).
The Yagnopavita is worn in niveta fashion. The knots of the waist attire are
shown on the right.
The
left niche Dwarapalaka also appear in parsavakosana with the left in
parsva (foot slightly towards left) and the right foot 90 degree. The left and
right heels are aligned and the thighs are firm and the right thigh outward
and the center of the kneecap is in line with the center of the right
ankle. The left hip slightly forward, towards the right and the upper
torso extends back to the left. The face is slightly bent and smiling. The
right hand and the broken left hands are resting on his hips. He appears
wearing headband, Karandamakutam with chanka motiff and ornaments worn by
him includes patra kundala in ears, sarapali in the neck, armlets (tolvalai).
The Yagnopavita is worn in niveta fashion. The knots of the waist attire are
shown on the left.
Inscriptions:
The lone
four-line inscription of Mahendravarman I in Pallava Grantha script and in
Sanskrit language is inscribed on the north face of the southern pilaster just
below the lotus medallion. The inscription found in this temple calls this
place Mahendra Vishnu Graha.
Inscription
is read as;
The wide
temple of Murari (Vishnu), named Mahendra-Vishnugriha was caused to
be made by splitting the boulder by Gunabhara (Pallava king
Mahendravarman I) on the bank of Mahendra Tataka (Mahendra Tank) in
the prominent (city of) Mahenthirapura and this is extremely
appreciated by estimable citizenry.