Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple,
Thirumayam, Pudukottai
Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple is a Hindu Cave Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirumayam Town in Thirumayam Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is situated in the higher level inside the Thirumayam fort.
History
This cave temple might have been excavated in 6th century CE by the Pallavas.
The Cave Temple
This cave is excavated on the western facade of the hill. It is situated at about 10 metres height from ground level. The cave can be reached through a ladder provided by ASI. It is a simple cell with its entrance door having three bands with rectangular bordered panel at the jambs. There is a rectangular panel located to the north of the door. This panel is probably for the label inscription similar to the one found in the Satyagireeswarar Cave Temple. However, the label inscription is absent here. The cell enshrines a rock cut Shiva Linga placed over a square avudaiyar, excavated from the mother rock. The water outlet spout is situated in the north and is supported by a bhoothagana.
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 1
Km from Thirumayam Bus Stand and 1.5 Kms from Thirumayam Railway Station.
Thirumayam is located at about 10 Kms from Kanadukathan, 14 Kms from
Viralimalai, 19 Kms from Pudukkottai, 22 Kms from Karaikudi, 25 Kms from Tirupattur,
28 Kms from Ponnamaravathi, 37 Kms from Aranthangi, 62 Kms from Trichy Airport
and 72 Kms from Trichy. Thirumayam is situated on Pudukottai to Karaikudi
route.
