Thirumalapuram Pasupathynatheswarar Temple, Tirunelveli

Address

Thirumalapuram Pasupathynatheswarar Temple, (Cave Temple), Thirumalapuram, Sankarankoil taluk, Tirunelveli District – 627857

Diety

Pasupathynatheswarar

Introduction

Thirumalapuram Rock Cut Cave Temples is located in Sankarankoil Taluk in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The rock-cut cave temples are situated on the hill of Thirumalapuram also known as Varanasimalai. These ancient Cave temples are now under the protection of the ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. Archaeological evidence is available to prove that people lived here even 10,000 years ago. Neolithic tools excavated from this area bear witness to this fact. There are two rock-cut temples. The one in the south bears an incomplete look. It is also called as Pasupathynatheswarar Cave Temple. The northern temple houses a Shivalinga, hewn out of the rock. From the lingam it is evident that regular abishekam was performed in ancient days. The temple also houses the idols of Brahma, Nataraja, Vishnu and Vinayaka, which are slightly damaged. From the architecture of the temple and special features of the images, it can be concluded that the temple must have been hewn by the Pandyas in the 7 th century. Southern Temple is unfinished rock cut cave on the other side of the hillock which is not under worship. There is an 11th century inscription on one of the pillars. The Nandi in the front mandapam is in a dilapidated condition and the murals inside the temple also look faded.

Puranic Significance

Thirumalapuram Rock Cut Cave Temples is located in Sankarankoil Taluk in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The rock cut cave temples are situated on the hill of Thirumalapuram also known as Varanasimalai. These ancient Cave temples are now under the protection of ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. Archaeological evidence is available to prove that people lived here even 10,000 years ago. Neolithic tools excavated from this area bear witness to this fact. There are two rock-cut temples. The one in the south bears an incomplete look. It is also called as Pasupathynatheswarar Cave Temple. The northern temple houses a Shivalinga, hewn out of the rock. From the lingam it is evident that regular abishekam was performed in ancient days. The temple also houses the idols of Brahma, Nataraja, Vishnu and Vinayaka, which are slightly damaged. From the architecture of the temple and special features of the images, it can be concluded that the temple must have been hewn by the Pandyas in the 7 th century. Southern Temple is unfinished rock cut cave on the other side of the hillock which is not under worship. There is an 11th century inscription on one of the pillars. The Nandi in the front mandapam is in a dilapidated condition and the murals inside the temple also look faded.