Kurathiyarai Vishnu Cave Temple, Azhagiapandipuram

Address

Kurathiyarai Vishnu Cave Temple, Vazhaikonam, Madavilagam, Kadukkarai, Kaniyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629851

Diety

Vishnu

Introduction

A rock-cut cave temple / Vishnu cave temple at kurathiyarai, madavilagam, near azhagiapandipuram, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. The visit to this rock-cut cave temple at Kurathiyarai was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Vattakottai Fort, was to Kurathiyarai in Azhagiapandipuram Panchayat on Nagercoil to Kadukkarai Road. Kurathiyarai is a rock-cut cave Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The cave is excavated on the south side slope of the hillock. Two pilasters are shown on both sides of Vishnu. Vishnu is in samabhanga standing posture. The image is not finely finished. These temple idols are ruins. Vishnu wears Kreeta makuda, kundala earrings, Yagnopavithra and vasthiram below his waist. While the upper hands holds Conch and Chakra, the lower hands are in ooru hastham and left hand folded. It is believed that this rock-cut cave temple belongs to the early 8 th century CE. There are niches carved on both sides of the cave. Valampuri Vinayagar is on the left side and on the right side niche a faint image was visible. Vinayagar is in Lalithasana. It was told that there was a headless Vishnu and an inscription fragment stone was found a few years before. Finally, we could trace the headless Vishnu inside a bush. Vishnu is sitting on a pedestal. Vishnu is keeping his left leg down and folding the right leg. Yagnopavithra is also shown beautifully.