Pallavar lower rockcut cave temple — Attraction in Tiruchirappalli

LOWER PALLAVA CAVES. TRICHY.

The exquisitely carved 6 Ft Vinayakar in the Cave Temples just below the Rock fort temple - Trichirapalli - Tamilnadu.

This rock cave temple is dated to the Pallava period who ruled from the 5 th century CE. The later Cholas,Pandyas and others must have upkept this small but beautiful cave temple.

The cave is perceived to have been built during the reign of the Pallava king Narasimha Varman l (630- 668 CE). This perception is from the knowledge that the Upper cave was built by his father Mahendra Varman 1. The ASI however says that the same was built by the Pandyas around the 8th century CE

The edifices also look similar to the ones in Mahabalipuram & Ellora to a great extent.( Though from a different era).

The cave is a simple but perfectly rectangular space, with 4 decorated symmetrical pillars as an entrance leading to a vestibule (25.5 X 12 feet). The entrance also has a torana made up of some uniquely shaped ganas and a monkey and a snake charmer motifs. On the eastern and western side of which,are two raised platforms similar to Ardhamandapa's with two pillars each and three steps in the centre. These platforms have their edges carved with elephant and lions.

The northern wall of the vestibule is divided into 5 niches, which are carved with life size sculptures of Ganesha, Kartikeya, Brahma, Surya & what looks like Vishnu Durga with a discuss like feature on her upper right hand.This entire panel is flanked by two Dwarapalaka's facing each other. The Ganesha idol looks like an influence from the western part of the country similar to Ellora or Elephanta.

The images also look like a representation of the Devakoshtha, with the exception of Karthikeya and Surya.Except for the Durga image all other images have two flying vidhyadhara's and attendants. One of the attendant of Durga seem to be severing his own head with a sword as a sacrifice.

These Ardhamandapa like structures lead to two Garbhahriha's one for Shiva and the other for Vishnu.Both these sanctum's are again flanked by Dwarapalaka's. Very rarely do you find the Garbhahriha's of Shiva and Vishnu facing each other.

The Garbhahriha of Vishnu has elaborate decoration on the back wall with Mahavishnu in the centre being the object of reverence, two vidyadhara's and a male and female figure sitting below on both sides. The female figure sitting could be of Lakshmi or Bhumadevi.

The sanctum of Shiva is totally blank devoid of any figures. The floor has a cavity where the Lingam would have stood.( Now missing). The lack of the Somaskanda panel behind the lingam like in Mahabalipuram or Kancheepuram makes me wonder whether this entire structure belongs to a later era of the Pandyas as perceived by the...

CAVE TEMPLES IN TRICHY There are 2 cave temples built by Pallavas & Pandyas here in Trichy. Both are protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). HISTORY OF PANDYA CAVE TEMPLE, TRICHY This cave has 4 pillars in the front and 4 in the interiors in front of the 2 sanctum sanctorum. In the inner wall are 5 panels. This seems more incomplete when compared to the Lalithankura Cave. This was excavated by the Pandyas in 8th C AD.

SCULPTURES & ICONOGRAPHY OF PANDYA CAVE TEMPLE, TRICHY The 2 sanctum sanctorum are of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Both have Dwara Balakas at the entrance. The 5 panels are of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya/Karthikeya/Muruga, Lord Brahma, Lord Surya and Goddess Durga/Kotravai. All are high reliefs and are standing figures. Somehow, the structure of Lord Ganesha appeared a bit funny for me, thanks to the short stout legs. His torso is normal but from waist below its short. I haven’t seen such a styling so far. At the entrance is a top panel which has a line of Yaalis which has some elephants and monkeys in the midst. I had seen a horizontal frieze similar to this at Kalyana Venkatramanar Temple in...

Hidden Gem unknown to many and it was an accidental discovery. A tiny board shows the way which is hard to notice. Under Archeological Survey of India.

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Lower cave temple, Tiruchirapalli The rock-cut cave temple known as the lower cave is excavated at the (southern) bottom of a hill popularly known as Rock Fort. The cave temple is assignable to the period of early Pandya period i.e.,8th century CE. The cave temple is a large excavation consisting of rectangular pillared mandapa and two cells (ie. Garbhagrihas) cut on east and west walls. The eastern side shrine has bas-relief sculptures of Lord Vishnu. The western side shrine doesn't have any deity. The main wall (northern wall) is divided into five niches. It consists of a series of large relief sculptures. The life-sized bas-relief images of Ganesh, Subramanya, Brahma, Surya and Durga are found in...