Kunrakkudi Cave Shiva Temple (Masilichuram - Shanmuganathar Temple), Sivagangai

Address

Kunrakkudi Cave Shiva Temple (Masilichuram – Shanmuganathar Temple), Kunrakkudi, Tirupati taluka, Sivagangai District – 630206

Diety

Masilichuram- Shanmughanathar

Introduction

The Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar Temple, also known as the Kunnakudi Temple or Kunnakudi Murugan Temple, is an ancient and historically significant temple located in Kundrakudi, a village in the outskirts of Karaikudi, in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India. Here are some important details about the temple:

Historical Significance:

The temple is known for its historical and architectural significance. It features three rock-cut caves on the western side of the lower hill, which have rock-cut shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. These caves date back to the Pandyan Empire and are believed to have been constructed in the 8th century.

Cave Temples:

Each of the three caves houses rock-cut images dedicated to Lord Shiva. The first two caves feature intricate rock-cut sculptures and guardian deities (Dvarapalas) positioned on either side of the sanctum. These guardian deities are considered to be the earliest representations of Dvarapalas for any South Indian temple. This is a significant historical feature as they are not found in Pallava architecture, which predates the Pandyan period.
The third cave is comparatively plain in terms of sculptures and reliefs.

Names of the Cave Temples:

Sundareswarar
Annamalaiyar
Malaikozhunthunathar
Sundeswarar

Embossed Sculptures:

The cave temples are adorned with various sculpted images, including those of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, Lingodbhava, Harihara, Lord Murugan, and more.
The most unique feature is the presence of the guardian deities, Dvarapalas, on either side of the sanctum in the first two caves. These sculptures represent some of the earliest examples of such depictions in South Indian temples.

Maintenance:

The Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar Temple is currently maintained and administered by the Kunnakudi Thiruvannamalai Mutt Adikam.
The rock-cut caves, due to their historical and archaeological significance, are maintained as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Alternate Names:

The location was originally known as Kundrakudi, which means “hill of the peacock” (Kundram meaning hill in Tamil). Over time, it has also been called by other names like Mayuragiri, Mayilmalai, Arasavaram, and Krishanagaram due to its hill’s resemblance to a peacock.

Current State:

It is worth noting that while the temple is historically significant, it has been overlooked and not well-maintained. The recent floods have led to damage to the temple, which is in need of restoration and protection.

The Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar Temple stands as an important historical and architectural site, and efforts to preserve and restore it are essential to protect its rich heritage.