Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple, Thirumayyam – Palli Konda Perumal Cave Shrine

Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple, Thirumayyam – Palli Konda Perumal Cave Shrine

This cave temple is carved out on the southern face of the Sathyagiri hill. The cave temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam. There are three rock cut steps to reach the platform of the ardha mandapam. The steps are enclosed by parapets on either side. The ardha mandapam is rectangular in plan. The floor situated at about three feet behind the edge of the ardha mandapam is raised to form the basement of the sanctum. There are two pillars and two pilasters over this platform. The sanctum is rectangular in plan. The rear wall of the sanctum is carved with a 22 feet long sculpture of Bhoga Sayana Vishnu.

This image covers almost all of the rear wall. It is said that this image is bigger than the Ranganatha image in Srirangam temple. He is called Thirumeyyar Perumal / Pallikonda Perumal / Anandha Sayana Perumal. He is facing towards south. Lord Vishnu is shown in reclining posture with his head in the west and slightly raised, on the coil bed made of the coils of Adi Sesha. Adi Sesha forms a canopy over the head of Vishnu with hood made of five heads. He is shown with two arms. His right arm is stretched backwards patting the coils of Adi Sesha and his left arm is bent at elbow with his fingers pointing down to his left chest.

Bhoodevi can be seen near his feet. She is show in seated posture without a breast band and folding her hands in anjali mudra. Sridevi can be seen near his chest. A lotus stalk with a bloomed flower can be seen emerging from the navel of Lord Vishnu.  Lord Brahma sits under an umbrella and can be seen at the top of the bloomed flower. He is depicted with three heads and four arms. He holds a vessel and a ladle in his upper arms while his lower right arm is in chin-mudra and lower right arm placed on his lap. Two figures are carved on either side the umbrella, one with ram-head represents Daksha while another one represents Agni.

Agni is shown with a crown of flames and holding a bowl of fire with both his hands. Five ayudha-purushas (personified weapons) are arranged on either side of Brahma. To the right of Brahma are Panchajanya (shankha or conch) as a dwarf and Sudarshana (chakra or discus) while to the left of Brahma are shown Sharanga (bow or dhanush), Nandaka (sword or khadga) and Kaumodaki (gada or club) in female form. There is a standing figure of Garuda at the extreme western end. He is shown with both his hands folded in anjali-mudra and his fore-fingers in tarjani-mudra. His wings are shown on either side of his body behind him.

There are bearded figures shown after Garuda. The front figure is Chitragupta. He is holding cymbals. The other figure behind Chitragupta is Vishwaksena, the commander-in-chief of army of Lord Vishnu. He is shown holding a club in one hand and another hand raised in adoration. He wears a long kiritamukuta. There is a small cavity representing a cavern above these figures. There are three figures depicted in the cavern. The bearded among them represents Sage Bhrigu and the other two figures represent his disciples. An image of Chandra with a huge nimbus behind his head is shown next to the cavern.

Rohini can be seen next to Chandra. She is shown with folded hands in anjali-mudra with a halo behind her head. A group of four musicians can be seen next to her. The one holding vina is Narada and the other one holding a stringed instrument is Tumburu. Both of them are shown bearded. The other two are the gandharvas. They are not bearded. A dancer is depicted next to them. He is shown with horns and one leg lifted up to his chest. Panchajanya ayudhapurusha in dwarf form is shown after the dancer. Another ayudhapurusha is depicted after the Panchajanya ayudhapurusha. Brahma over a lotus can be seen after the ayudha purusha.

There is a group of seven sages representing Saptarishis can be seen on the left side of the Brahma. Surya with a halo behind his head can be seen after the Saptharishis. Two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha can be seen below Surya. Both are shown in retreat, being tormented by the poisonous flames spitted from Shesha towards them. These flames, in form of barbs, are carved on the wall surface below the Saptharishis, ayudha purushas and above the left leg of Vishnu. There are two figures carved on the top of the eastern lateral wall. Both the figures are shown with their hands in anjali-mudra. Thaila Kappu is performed to the deity once in twelve years.