Kundrakudi rock cut temple

The Pandyas are known for their significant contribution to South Indian temple architecture, particularly through their rock-cut temples, which represent some of the earliest forms of structural and monolithic temple construction in Tamil Nadu. These temples reflect their patronage of art, culture, and devotion to Hindu deities, particularly Shiva and Vishnu. The Kundrakudi Pandiya Cave Temples are ancient rock-cut temples located in Kundrakudi, a small village near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, India. These temples are renowned for their historical, architectural, and religious significance, reflecting the rich heritage of the Pandya dynasty, which flourished in the region. These temples were constructed during the Pandya period, around the 8th century CE. They showcase the typical Pandya style of architecture, which emphasizes simplicity and elegance.The sanctum sanctorum houses deities, typically dedicated to Lord Shiva or other Hindu gods. The Cave is with sanctum sanctorum and Ardha mandapam. The ardha mandapam is supported by 2 square pillars and 2 pilasters.

 In sanctum sanctorum square shaped Shiva Lingas are excavated from the mother rock. Rishaba is in front of the middle Cave. Dwarapalakas are on the side of the front ardha mandapam. The Dwarapalakas were shown in thribangha posture keeping one hand on the thandam and a snake is coiled on it and the other hand is in kadi hastam posture.

In the next panel Mahavishnu with 4 hands is shown along with Garuda but this Maha Vishnu is not in the usual posture he rests his lower left hand on Garuda and holds something in the right hand. Here Even Garudan is in unusual posture he is shown with folded hands we could see similar garuda in pillaiyarpatti rock cut cave temple too. The first cave is with panels of Murugan, Dwarapalakar, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Sankara narayanar, Natarajar in Chathura nadanam with 4 hands and two Shiva ganas playing musical instrument to Natarajar’s dance, Kotravai with 8 hands holding various weapons. Two Navakanda and Arikanda sculptures are shown below. All the original sculptures are finished with lime motor and colourful painting was done unfortunately I havent take the pictures of these sculptures. And a Chandikeswarar bas relief is carved before the cave. He is sitting in padmasanam and keeping both hands on thigh. The right palm is open and facing upwards. There is a vinayagar shown with four hands which looks similar at pillaiyarpatti karpagavinayagar Sculpture carved on the right side of the rock. Bhairavar, Raishabam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are in front of the Cave.

 There is Pandya period Tamil vattezhuthu inscriptions are found on the pillars. The latter maintained and extended during Chozhas and Vijayanagara’s period. One of the Pandya period Vattezhuthu inscriptions mentions the name of this rock cut cave as “Masilicchuram” means “Mayil Malai eswaran koil”. And there is The Chozha period inscriptions recorded from this Rock Cut Cave Temple belongs to Rajraja-I and Kulothunga Chozha-I. 

The rock cut Cave was extended with structural mandapam, in which two shrines are also during Vijayanagara Nayakas period. Part of Saptamatrikas and Jyeshtadevi sculptures of pandiya period are kept in front of a shrine.

Kundrakudi is easily accessible by road from Karaikudi, which is well-connected by bus and train.Early mornings or evenings are best time to visit this spot.

--Ramu. Rm.N